Final blog update before work begins – so probably another hiatus between updates. Still deciding what to do in school holiday breaks. But now back to where I left off…
Leaving Oberammergau
After the excitement of the passion play headed to Innsbruck. After seeing the Lindorhof Castle it was recommended to me to go see another two castle-ish buildings in southern Germany. This was my first real contact with summer queues. There was a massive line to actually get into these places and have a tour. Since I didn’t have forever decided to just walk up to them (actually avoided the easy route this time – got some exercise for a change which is a bit of theme for this blog.)
The first castle is the famous Neuschwanstein Castle that was the basis for a famous Disney movie castle. Any ideas? Here’s an amazing view from a purpose built bridge.
Quite a hike up there but very nice walking and some fantastic mountain biking tracks (as long as you’re heading down – the people heading up were struggling.) Also in the same area was the Hohenschwangau Castle. So with the 6000+ people that are supposedly there on a nice summer day I couldn’t actually get inside. Continued driving through some amazing mountain passes into Austria and arrived in Innsbruck.
Bridge on the River Inn (or Innsbruck…)
Innsbruck is in one of the most beautiful location I have ever seen. It’s nestled in a valley between some imposing mountain ranges on both sides. I was actually staying just on the side of one of these mountains and had a pretty impressive view of the city. Bought an Innsbruck card that allowed you free entry to most stuff as well as a gondala ride up one of the mountains. So headed up one massive mountain and went for a walk/hike. Was great getting outside exercising and seeing snow slopes even if there isn’t any snow at the moment. The lift actually went over the old Olympic bobsled, luge and skeletal suicide sport course. Was quite a hike to the top but had some amazing views both towards Innsbruck and over the other side to some relatively untouched mountain ranges.
(best seat on the mountain top – looking over Innsbruck)
Since I had paid money for the 24 hour Innsbruck card wanted to get the most out of it. After my hike headed down to the city and had a quick look at the Olympic Ski Jump that has been made into a restaurant and bit of a tourist attraction. Very impressive architecture. Certainly one of the sports I am never going to try. I had no idea how steep it was and this photo just doesn’t fully capture the true scale.
(ski jump – not for the fainthearted… perspective dodgy)
Finally got to the actual old part of Innsbruck and whizzed around some of their museums, palaces and churches that were all pretty cool. Also climbed up a bell tower which had a great view of Innsbruck’s claim to world-wide fame. Anyone know? I certainly didn’t…
(the famous (?) Golden roof – viewed from bell tower)
Was still madly rushing around when everything shut down at 6:30pm. Easily spent over double what I paid for the card so was worth it financially and got to see heaps nice and quickly which was all I could do.
Munchen mag Dich (the city’s motto)
Got the trusty GPS thing working again and started to complete the loop back to Munich. Just out off Innsbruck is the Swarovski Crystal Palace. Now I don’t have too much interest in fancy jewellery or crystals but this was recommended and was actually lots of fun. There were some amazing rooms and great lighting and special effects. Favourite room was a mirrored dome that you went inside with some lights that made you feel as though you were inside crystal. Took heaps of photos but the lighting played havoc with my poor camera and they didn’t really work out.
(one photo that kinda worked… some massive piece of jewellery)
This was another place that would be so much better not in the middle of summer peak season. Had to hurry and got in front of some huge tour groups. Big plus was a hedge maze outside, not huge but still fun – I’m still on the lookout for a challenging maze.
Arrived in Munich and it was pretty miserable weather. Another cool city with some impressive buildings. Didn’t have much time but went to the main square Marienplatz which was completely crowded and visited Munich’s Residenz… This was a pretty crazy palace – again was imagining playing laser tag through all the rooms and just getting completely lost. Could easily go back to Munich and get a proper tour to find out the amazing history for this place.
(another mirrored self-portrait in a fantastic palace with never-ending rooms)
‘Summer’ Camp
Arrived back in London with no problems and headed off to help out at a summer camp around South-Western UK. I was one of the mini-bus drivers (was good driving on the right (but actually left) side of the road) and had a great week. Got to do paint-ball, quad-biking, high ropes and other fun stuff. However the weather was extremely dodgy, a cold wind was blowing from the Atlantic and was nothing like the summer camps back home.
Now just getting ready for school starting next week and back to full-time work. I’m not thinking about it too much – seems depressing…
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