April 16 2013

April 16 2013

LAT report

We had a nice continental breakfast in our new city of Oberammergau.  We planned our early trip by city bus to the city of Lindof which was about 20 miles from Oberammergau.  The scenery again is breath taking and the bus was empty besides us.  Just so nice.  We arrived at the King Ludwig's castle. From where we were left off we could not see the castle.  We bought our tickets all of us claiming to be senior citizens and they believed us gggggrrrrrrrhhhhhh!  We then took a ten minute walk to the castle on a gravel covered path .... That went up and went down.  The castle was fairly small for a castle.  We were met at the door by a very nice young woman that took us thru and provided explanations of all that we were seeing and answered questions.  Our group was nice and small which was good since there was a group of about 25 teenagers ahead of us that were loud and unruly.  The palace was very elaborate beyond belief with silk and tapestry walls,  gold relief work,  mural covered ceilings, oak floors, huge vases made by Meissen...which we knew cost an arm and a leg!  He had a table in his dinning room that lowered to the bottom floor so the meal could be set and then raised to where he ate.  His bed was huge he was a very tall man over 6'5"!  There was a chandelier that weighed a half a ton.  There was huge water fall and pool outside that was lovely.  We then took off up another hill that was quite a hill to see the cave he built that had stalagmites from the ceiling with a huge pool that had a small elaborate boat ..just for him.  The pool changed colors and even had waves if he wanted it, there was also music.  He was quite elaborate and thought to be crazy...I am not so sure... We walked up hill to another small structure that he apparently went to read in ..he read a book a week.  Then we started our track back down hill which was harder to walk then up hill at least for my knees.  Bus ride back was nice Linda and I visited a couple of shops we had not been to and then caught up with Dick and Candy.  We decided to be very adventurous for dinner and do Mexican food!  Let me just say...don't do German Mexican food...it is not good...but it was an adventure!

LMR report

Day 2 in Oberammergau - had continental breakfast at the hotel.  Actually included in the room rate.  Took a city bus to King Ludwig II's castle.  Truly amazing!  He lived alone and built himself six castles throughout Bavaria.  Quite a climb to the top of the mountain where his palace is located.  We were really proud of ourselves to make it all the way...very steep!  Lots of gold, Meissen, and crystal.  Chandelier in one room weighed a half a ton.  Visited Ludwig's personal grotto where he had entertainment come and perform for himself - an audience of one!  He loved Wagner and his music.  He installed a table in the dining room which lowered to the servants quarters to have the food placed and sent back up to him.  No pictures were allowed but imagine the most opulent place you can and multiply it by ten!  Back to town we did more shopping in very cute quaint town.  Met some Finns and said what few words I know in Finnish to them.  Went for German - Mexican food for dinner...very interesting!  Off to Austria tomorrow ..