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| Glenn's Journal for 10-07-02 - Munich Today we were up early trying to catch an 8:51 am train to Fussen. We awoke at 7:45 am and quickly got ready before dashing out the door around 8:35 am. We took the U-bahn to the Hauptbahnhof where we quickly headed upstairs to the train station. We ended up running to our train and got on with 2 minutes to spare. Whew!!! The 2 hour train ride was relaxing on the way to Fussen. Let me also say that when we left Munich the sun was trying to break through but by the time we reached Fussen the day was overcast and wet. At the train station we switched over to the bus which took us into Fussen center. From here we checked with information about how to get to each castle and where to get tickets. Each castle requires you take a tour to enter and each tour is scheduled so you are required to make a reservation before going to the castle. We chose to tour through both castles (Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein) with our first tour being at 12:45 pm and the second at 2:45 pm. This would give us time to grab a bite to eat before our first tour as we ran out of the house without breakfast today. We stopped at a little store to pick up some postcards first before stopping at a snack place where I had a chicken sandwhich and Erin had a pre-packaged hamburger and shared some fries. The Hohenschwangau castle was within walking distance and we had the time so we worked our way up to the castle. Erin took some beautfil photos through the rain of the surrounding area before our tour time arrived. At tour time we made our way into the castle where we took an interesting 35 minute tour which included some of the history of the castle and Ludwig II. We then took the bus up to the Neuschwanstein castle which was listed as a 30 minute walk uphill. Before going into the castle we checked out the view from Marienbrucke, a bridge over a waterfall that looks upon the castle in spectacular fashion. We ended up with quite a few photos of the Neuschwanstein castle from many different angles. We made the tour at 2:45 pm which again lasted 35 minutes and spoke about the history of the castle and how Ludwig II died before the last 50 rooms were finished. They were not finished to this day since Ludwig II was in deep debt upon his death. After the tour we walked back to town, as the rain had subsided, and the scenery was beautiful. Once in town we took the bus back to the train station, and took the 5:05 pm train back to Munich. We arrived around 7:10 pm, checked on some information for out trip to Mainz on Wednesday and headed back to the apartment. Andreas got home from work a few minutes after we arrived and quickly changed for a run. Helena was at school before going out with friends. Erin and I stopped at a Italian restaurant around the corner and ordered a pizza and calzone for dinner. We returned to the apartment where we relaxed ad enjoyed dinner. Andreas returned a little after 9:00 pm from his run. I taught Erin a little of what I know about chess as we played a game. Helena returned home around 11:00 pm where we sat and chatted before "hitting the hay" around 12:30 am. |
| The view of Neuschwanstein from the cliffs surrounding the castle. Built by Ludwig II and copied by Disney. |