Tour day 7
Trip Start
Aug 28, 2008
1
20
40
Trip End
Sep 24, 2008
Bacharach,
Rhineland-Palatinate,
Germany
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
You probably figured out already that my last post had an error. It started out by saying that the bus ride was to Venice on day 6.- it was actually the bus ride to Austria.
Day 7 dawned bright and clear. Another 'Sound of Music" beautiful day. We're up early for another hearty Tyrolian breakfast of eggs, cold cuts, sausages, cheese, delicious breads and pastries... Oh how I love these breakfasts. We (well, I) load up on the chow in anticipation of the strenuous walikng day to come. We are headed to Neuschwanstein castle. The guide book talks of a bus ride to a spot below the castle and a short uphill hike to the castled. Our somewhat annoyingly fit tour guy announced at dinner last night, "I know a way that we can hike -really just a 'walk' - from the hotel". All bright and cheerful like. "I think everyone here can do it". And then in less cheerful tones "there will be a bus in the parking lot at 9:15 for those who prefer". And then, she asks for the show of hands for "who wants to take the bus?". Well, we have -
1 guy on the tour that walks with the aid of a cane. I could tell that even he was reluctant to publicly opt for the lowly bus option. He raised his hand after a bit. After which, his own wife loudly proclaims, "I'm walking". As much as I might have liked the more liesurely path, I would have chewed my arm off at the shoulder before I raised my hand.
The hike was actually pretty nice for the first hour or so. A gentle rolling trail most of which was around a peaceful lake whose waters were the most remarkable teal color. Our guide explained that this lake is fed by glacial runoff and as the glaciers grind through these mountains they pick up tracea of minerals that are so small they remain suspended in the water giving it the unique shade.
We arrive at base camp around 09:30 and begin our final ascent. It' getting mighty warm and the grade is getting preety steep. I'm not sure whose bright idea it is always build castles on top of big hills or in to the face af a sheer cliff, but I think it's all for show... "My castle is bigger than your castle"... I decide to quit griping and suck it up after we pass grandma Moses and her sister shuffling up the hill at a respectable pace.
Neuschwanstein castle is only about 1/3 complete. The king who was building it was paupering the country with his penchant for building castles hither and yon so they got some folks to all agree he was bonkers, put him in a padded room and canned his projects. Now this castle is a huge money making tourist attraction. Who knew?
This castle was built in the 1800s more as a monument to the middle ages than as.a defensible fortification. Pretty much every square inch of the inside is covered with carved wood, rich marble, muraled wall and frescoed ceiling. I imagine the artists and artisans in the area would have liked to have liked to have some say in the king's sanity hearing.
After the castle we went to a louge run. Definitely not OSHA compliant.
It's a polished steel banked course that you can easily flip out of. Very fun! A couple of tour folks got a little too frisky and joined the ranks of 'Louge Wounders'. Nothing serious but definitely a little blood (very medieval)am
We went back to the hotel for more laundry. A few (too many) of tje delightful beers and another wiener schnitzel for dinner for me. Everyone else had pasta(!!). We' going to Italy tomorrow!!
