This weekend, we decided we are settled enough to start adventuring out. We have a lot of catch up to do on our traveling. The chosen destination? Lake Constance or Bodensee as the Germans call it. It is one of the largest lakes in Europe and is surrounded by three countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
On Saturday morning we were off to spend the afternoon and night on an island named Lindau. This small German island is well know for their lighthouse and Guardian Lion that face each other, allowing a small entry into the port. If you have seen the Never Ending Story, you've seen the prestigious Southern Oracles. It is kind of like that, only they don't shoot lasers from their eyes if you are not pure of heart.
We arrived to find out that we would have to get off the island by 10 am the following day or else stay on the island until after noon. Seems Bodensee has an annual marathon and the starting point was right outside our hotel. When I commented to the ladies at the front desk that it must be nice to be able to see the start of the race, they replied "yeah, guess we have to watch." Apparently, they have done it all before and the enthusiasm that thrived in the town that evening did not thrive in them. Though really, how exciting is watching a marathon. I wouldn't be excited to run one, let a lone watch one.
We spent Saturday taking photos of the island and enjoying the view of the lake with the Alps behind. That's the nice part of being on the German side. You get to see the entire picturesque surrounding of Lake Constance.
That evening, we turned on the tube and watched German TV helplessly as nothing else was available. Then Kattalin livened up the joint by proclaiming "I Lost My Tooth!" And so, Jeff and I were left to figure how to make sure the Grand Ole Tooth Fairy would know to come all the way to Bodensee to claim Katti's tooth. All worked and Princess awoke to find plenty of Euro in exchanged for her very first tooth barter.
We just nearly escaped becoming prisoners of Lindau on Sunday morning. We decided to drive around the South East side of the Lake and travel around through Austria and Switzerland. We would come back up the West side and stop in Konstance, Germany (the Lake's namesake town). So it was three countries in one day! We had breakfast in Germany, played in sand in Austria, stretched our legs on the shores of Switzerland and stopped for lunch back in Germany!
Once refueled and saying a prayer for our lost, white Hot Wheels car, which Kattalin plunged in the Rhine River, we took a ferry over to Meersburg. Kattalin was very entertained by the fact that our car was on a boat. However, the Toyota is more familiar with boating than any of us, as she rode 3000+ miles on a boat to get to Germany.
Meersburg is home of the oldest intact castle in Germany. It dates back to the 7th century. We took the tour in order to assist in Princess's efforts to command all fortresses she encounters. We were left to explore it on our own! Master Jeffrey and Mademoiselle Kattalin combed the grounds with delight! However, we were not allowed to pass one very interesting door. Seems that my three weeks of German has not taught me the difference between the standard tour and the "special" tour. As the ego in me was set in rage, I decided we would return and take the special tour another time, as it was an hour long.
The town itself is by far one of the most beautiful I have seen. Good food, wine, shopping and history. Medieval, romantic, entertaining, poetic and I can't think of anyone who would not fall in love. We will definitely return so that I can find out what is behind that door (oh, how it haunts me!!!) and sit an enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Lake while sipping a fine beverage on the shores of Meersbug.
Liebe Zu Allen!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Mad King Ludwig Can Build a Castle
Schloss Neuschwanstein! I wonder if the Ludwig's are getting a kick back from Disney for this one! The infamous Sleeping Beauty Castle is exactly what fairy tales are made from!
The drive through Bavaria was stunning! The endless rolling, green hills; the perfectly manicured fields; the hovering Alps; the yodeling German in Lederhosen....ok, not really, but I'm sure he was about, along with this voluptuous maiden in a Dirndl....It was the ideal setup for the awaiting Princess Castle.
We arrived shortly after 12 PM in a tiny town outside of Fussen. Long and behold there are two, not just one, castles begging for Kattalin's attention. We only were prepared for Neuschwanstien, so Hohenschwangau will have to wait.
We cruised through the tiny shops and restaurants to find tickets and determine the best way to master the impeding incline. It was decided that the bus would be our preferred chariot and we would walk our way down. The views only became better by each winding upward turn. Lakes, towns and estates all in view.
As we marched our way over to the Castle from the bus stop we breathed the fresh air deeply. Incredible how fresh and cool it is. We made it into the entry and waited for our tour to begin. Amongst us was an international pool of people, all whom had the pleasure of meeting Jeffy. He handed out hugs and stepped on toes. Always willing to entertain. Kattalin was more than simply excited to be here. She was home....as far as she was concerned....ready to take her rightful place as Princess.
The tour was short, but allowed you to see some of the true interior beauty of the Castle. King Ludwig's bedroom has some of the most impressive woodwork I have ever seen. It took years to complete. This Castle is by no means demure or vanilla. He pulled out the most decadent decor he could with the help of his dear Theatrical buddy. Sadly, the Old Mad King was not alive long enough for them to ever put a throne in the throne room. His death, well that's a whole other story. One with lots of good conspiracy involving said Theatrical buddy.
We then ventured off Marienbrucke (Mary's Bridge). Not for the faint of heart, but worth the views of the waterfall and pictures of the Castle.
Nice walk down the mountain, roughly 30 minutes. We than perused the shops and had some of the better German food Jeff and I have had to pleasure to consume!! King Ludwig's Dunkle is worth the try!
Josh and Leslie have headed back the States today. It is just the kids and I getting the apartment back in order. I foresee a 24 hour laundry marathon in my future. With a load not holding more than a sheet and it taking 3 hours to complete, I'm happy that I have a long line of books needing my attention.
Liebe zu allen!
The drive through Bavaria was stunning! The endless rolling, green hills; the perfectly manicured fields; the hovering Alps; the yodeling German in Lederhosen....ok, not really, but I'm sure he was about, along with this voluptuous maiden in a Dirndl....It was the ideal setup for the awaiting Princess Castle.
We arrived shortly after 12 PM in a tiny town outside of Fussen. Long and behold there are two, not just one, castles begging for Kattalin's attention. We only were prepared for Neuschwanstien, so Hohenschwangau will have to wait.
We cruised through the tiny shops and restaurants to find tickets and determine the best way to master the impeding incline. It was decided that the bus would be our preferred chariot and we would walk our way down. The views only became better by each winding upward turn. Lakes, towns and estates all in view.
As we marched our way over to the Castle from the bus stop we breathed the fresh air deeply. Incredible how fresh and cool it is. We made it into the entry and waited for our tour to begin. Amongst us was an international pool of people, all whom had the pleasure of meeting Jeffy. He handed out hugs and stepped on toes. Always willing to entertain. Kattalin was more than simply excited to be here. She was home....as far as she was concerned....ready to take her rightful place as Princess.
The tour was short, but allowed you to see some of the true interior beauty of the Castle. King Ludwig's bedroom has some of the most impressive woodwork I have ever seen. It took years to complete. This Castle is by no means demure or vanilla. He pulled out the most decadent decor he could with the help of his dear Theatrical buddy. Sadly, the Old Mad King was not alive long enough for them to ever put a throne in the throne room. His death, well that's a whole other story. One with lots of good conspiracy involving said Theatrical buddy.
We then ventured off Marienbrucke (Mary's Bridge). Not for the faint of heart, but worth the views of the waterfall and pictures of the Castle.
Nice walk down the mountain, roughly 30 minutes. We than perused the shops and had some of the better German food Jeff and I have had to pleasure to consume!! King Ludwig's Dunkle is worth the try!
Josh and Leslie have headed back the States today. It is just the kids and I getting the apartment back in order. I foresee a 24 hour laundry marathon in my future. With a load not holding more than a sheet and it taking 3 hours to complete, I'm happy that I have a long line of books needing my attention.
Liebe zu allen!
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