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Our German experience was to be through Bavaria in the south… mainly because we didn't have the time to travel all the way north, but also because we've both been to Berlin before. So our first stop was Munich, a place synonymous with good beer and of course Oktoberfest. And since I've been known to partake in the odd drop of the amber nectar, I was quite looking forward to this town. We set up camp in a very trendy campsite called The Tent, which turned out to more resemble an outdoor backpackers hostel. The vibe was young and hip and so were most of the people there, probably because it was dirt cheap! You had the choice of pitching your own tent or staying in one of the two massive circus tents: one had about 50 bunk beds and the other you just got a bit of floor space to lay your head.
Anyway, it was in amongst the inexpensive & tasty BBQ dinner and crazy cheap 1lt mugs of beer (or vases as C.G. called them) that we met the newly engaged Steven & Morgan from the US. That night by the bonfire, over several more vases of beer we proceeded to get deep… discussing the riveting topic of temperatures, weights and measurements: metric vs imperial. Boy, did we party hard!!
The next few days forecast was for horrifically high temperatures, so the best place to get over a hangover in this heat was the Langwieder See freshwater lake. It was absolutely packed to the rafters (especially since it was a Saturday) but it was still just what the doctor ordered.
The rest of our stay was pretty much what you'd expect: exploring the city, beer gardens, churches, beer gardens, had a swim in a crazy fast flowing river, but then we went to a beer garden where we meet up with Steven and Morgan. Here under a Japanese pagoda in the Chinese Garden of the English Gardens an Australian, Irish and two Americans ate German food. Then Clare's mums friends husbands brother (stay with me) who was living in Munich rocked up. Pat was his name and he was seriously good craic! A good laugh and he ended up being our tour guide for the night, showing us around the city like a professional guide. What a champ!! He helped us realise what we already kinda knew: this is one seriously cool town. Clare and I absolutely loved the vibe and the look & feel... so we put it straight down on our "must return" list. Hopefully during Oktoberfest next time... no, DEFINATELY during Oktoberfest next time!
Next stop, the fairytale-like Neuschwanstein castle. I've wanted to go to this castle since I was very young, I think my sister had a poster on her wall, as she'd been there (is that right sis?). And it did not disappoint! Incredibly beautiful castle, inside and out, a must do if you're on this side of the planet. Ludwig the Second was a king with grand vision and extravagant tastes.. and this creation shows it. We even found out about his mysterious death: he got pronounced crazy one day, so his uncle became king. Two days later he got shipped off to the looney house, the next day him and the psychiatrist that said he was insane him were found dead! Call me Sherlock but it sounds a bit fishy if you ask me...
But something even more tragic happened while we were there! We went up to the Marienbrucke bridge to get some snaps, as it offers the best view of the castle. We were in amongst the hordes of tourist pushing their way onto the narrow bridge, taking a selfy when tragedy struck. Clare tilted her head slightly back in preparation for the shot when her £200 Ray Band sunnies fell clean off her head! She turned quickly and grasped at them but they slipped through her fingers like hot butter and fell hundreds of metres to their death. Or they got stuck in a tree... we will never know.
Back on the road to witness more ridiculously scenic mountainous landscapes on the way to the famous Black Forest. Our campsite here was overlooking a flowing river not far from a delightfully traditional German town named Schiltach. Only down side was the bell tower a stones throw away gonged about 48 times at 6am, easily penetrating our thin tent walls and filling our heads with loud irritation. It also gonged once at quarter past, twice at half past and three times at quarter to.. I guess for that one old guy in town that doesn't have a mobile phone or a watch. But that was all soon forgotten as we drove through more of that crazy scenery that makes this place so special towards Triberg, where we saw only one of the two house sized cuckoo clocks in the area.. cause if you've seen one house sized cuckoo clock you've seen em all, right? We also went to a Granny's cafe that boasted the original Black Forest cake, to eat a slice of... wait for it... Black Forest cake. The guy that first made it ages ago had an apprentice and he now bakes his masters original recipe for this cafe. It was nice, but very boozey. One more slice and I would have been anybody's! Oh, and we also went to Lake Titisee (insert your own joke here).
Heidelberg was next on the agenda, but this town wasn't really a highlight. Apart from a hearty dinner of Bratwurst and sauerkraut with a sturdy German beer in a solid German Brauhous, the only other thing worth mentioning about this default town was the epically gruelling walk we took on the Philosophers Way (that we stupidly did immediately after said dinner). The evening was warm and humid and the climb was steep and long and the only thing I philosophised over was why the hell we did this in the first place! I guess it sounds pleasant: "Philosophers Way", but sounds can be as deceiving as looks. We eventually got back to our modern Eco-themed hostel, drank 2lt of water each then flopped onto our bunk beds to get some kip... because a new country awaits in the morning.
Daz
- comments
Donna You are quite the wordsmith, Daz! These blogs are so descriptive and entertaining, so well done to you both (Clare's doing an awesome job too!). And yes, I think I did have a picture of neuschwanstein castle on my wall as it was on my wish list and John and I went there when we went travelling. It is an amazing magical place. And tell Clare - there's a lesson in life for her - don't buy expensive sunnies!!!! Hurts too much when you lose or break them!!!! Will talk to u soon Lots of love from all of us Donna and crew xxxxx