It was frustrating trying to figure out how to reserve tickets online. Last time we were there, the tickets were sold out. Evan was waiting patiently in this rocking chair while we tried to figure it out. I almost told Andy we should just not go. We had seen it from a distance, so we didn't have to go. I am so glad that he insisted that we do it, though.
Seeing the castle up close and going in was WAY more exciting that seeing it from a distance. This is the front entrance of the castle. We almost didn't make our tour time because while waiting for the horse and carriage up to it, 2 groups of people cut in front of us.
Here we are on the carriage ride. I felt really spoiled in the carriage, and I loved it! Who needs to walk 45 minutes up a huge hill?
We did make it to our tour. They had already let people in, but they let us run in and catch up thankfully. We also got to have an English speaking tour! When we toured Hohenschwangau Castle, we took a tour in Italian, and we had no idea what they were talking about. This time, we learned a lot about the castle and King Ludwig II. King Ludwig was obsessed with swans (hence, Neu-SCHWAN-stein castle). Swans on the bed, carved in the walls, on the curtains, on the floors, on the ceiling. Literally all over the castle! There was also one randomly carved dragon, which I thought was odd, and I told Andy, "Wouldn't you think a dragon would eat swans? Why would he want that?" I'm crazy, I know. Unfortunately, you can't really take pictures inside the castle, but I assure you, there are swans everywhere. King Ludwig only lived in this huge castle for about 6 months before he was told he was crazy and thus unfit to be king. The next day he was found dead, floating in a pond, along with his psychiatrist. It's still a mystery as to how they died.
Even though you can't take pictures during the tour, I was able to get one with my phone of the kitchen. I need a kitchen like this! There were several brick ovens, and TONS of copper cookware. Andy and I loved it! Of course, he was discussing cooking pizzas in the brick oven. I wonder if King Ludwig enjoyed pizza. Even if he did, he's never had an Andy Bartlett pizza, and those are the best.
Andy and I were wondering how a king would pick this random spot in the mountains to build a castle. We don't know how he came to this spot, but we know why he stayed. This is the view from the back side of the castle. The lake and the mountains were amazing. The builders even figured out how to use the pressure of gravity to get running water in the castle, in the 1800's! I was impressed by that.
After touring the castle, you can walk to a bridge to get a better view. WOW, right?! It is stunning! And all the while, you think, "How did they build that there?"
This bridge was definitely worth the view. However, it was a rickety little bridge made of wooden planks, under which ran a mountain waterfall. Beautiful, but terrifying! The wooden planks even moved when you walked on them. I'm surprised I even got this picture of Andy because I was shaking so badly. Andy thought it was funny to bounce on the boards while I was walking. When I asked him how he could do that without being afraid, he said, "It's just so funny watching how scared you are!"
Look at that waterfall. It is really magnificent, but if that bridge were to break, it would be certain death! I don't like the thought of that!
In fact, I mostly stayed away from the bridge while Andy was on it. I said, "Take a picture of me safely on solid ground!" The bridge was behind me, just where I wanted it to be! In case you can't tell, I'm basically afraid of everything. I'm trying to get over that, though, and face fears.
After the tour and the bridge, we looked at the view from the front of the castle. King Ludwig picked an awesome spot, didn't he?
People always say that the Disney castle is modeled after Neuschwanstein Castle. What do you think? It's definitely a possibility.
On the drive back from the castle, we also saw this. The ruins of a much older castle.
The castle tour was really interesting for me, but I always wonder what Evan thinks of those kinds of tours. Is he bored? Is he interested? Is he just thinking, "I wish I could drive my Hot Wheels through this giant castle"? I hope he doesn't hate it, but at least I know he gets to have fun on our trips. These pictures are of him and me after the tour, so he must have been in a good mood. (Yes, him and me is the correct way to say it in this sentence. Don't even try to correct me!)
Moral of this story: I'm glad we toured Neuschwanstein instead of getting frustrated about buying tickets. I'm even glad I went on the scary bridge for a few seconds. Not letting fear and frustration stop me from doing amazing things. I live in Europe; I must see all the things!
No comments:
Post a Comment