Neuschwanstein Part II

Made my second trip to Neuschwanstein today. When have i decided to go again? Yesterday at 9pm. During my routine groceries shopping yesterday, i brought along my Tripod, hoping to do some night shots, since most of my photos have been in the afternoon. After my purchase, i hopped on to a connecting train to Marianplatz, where i would transit to another line to get home. Marianplatz is where the big old rathouse stands, so i thought, since my tripod is already with me, might as well try some night shots. Wonder why this has anything to do with my decision making? Thats where i met another photographer with a tripod. Nik, or should i say Dr Nik, a dentist who comes from Chiangmai Thailand asked if i knew of any other place around Munich with Old buildings, since i was standing next to him also with a tripod. Soon questions turned into conversation and found out that he plans to visit Neuschwanstein the next day. Having no plans, and wanting to go back since the first trip was kinda disappointing due to the heavy snow. Also it is hard to find company for such trips, which can greatly reduce the cost of the train tickets, i agreed. Plus its nice to have another avid photographer as company, who understands the importance of patience.

The weather was perfect, it was no longer freezing and snowing like 2 weeks ago, sun was shinning like in Singapore and the sky was clear. Weather has been pretty much photofriendly for the past 4 days. Hopped on to Regional DB with a Bayern ticket, 2 hours ride to the town of Füssen where the castles are located. Having done it before, i led the way. This time round i skipped the tour totally. Nik who was here in Neuschwanstein for the first time decided to try the guided tour. Since we have 2 hours to spare before his tour, we headed up the hills taking the path most tourist take after the castle where we can take pictures of the outside of the Neuschwanstein from a distance. Unfortunately, the side of the castle facing the hills is under renovation, thus half of the castle was covered with scaffolding and nettings. Nik was disappointed, i was a little, but having been disappointed once, the scaffolding didn;t deter me much. Continued up the path, we reached this bend, where we were greeted with a awesome view of the Alps, lake and the vast farm land, spanning into the horizon. It was simply stunning. As a tourist attraction, the bend was swamped with other like minded tourists who were busy clicking away their big and small cameras. Headed further up, we reached the Marianbrucke, a bridge built by the King Ludwig at the same time he built the castle. It was SCARY. With the number of people on that ancient bridge that shook with everystep, it was nervewrecking. Should it break, all of us would plunge 100 meters down into the waterfall beneath us. But that was nothing compared to what i will be doing later. After crossing the bridge, there was a hiking trail. So we being avid photographers, did not stop like most tourists . I assure you this hiking trail is no walk in the park, though i saw a fat ang mo wearing skirt and slippers doing it. This is no Bukit timah hill trail, in fact there is no path. There are no hand rails, just tree roots and mud steps covered with loose gravels. Not helping was the fact that the hill was steep. I think you would need to look at the picture to understand what i am talking about. A slip and you will be rolling down the last 200 meters of your life, if you make the full 200 meters that is. It was so dangerous that the ancient shaking bridge full of tourists now looked like a safe haven. I have unfortunately kept all my equipment in my bag, as i had to use both hands to grab any roots that looked remotely secure, and to relief some pressure off my legs just in case i slip. So i have not taken any pictures of the hike. But the trek up was very well worth it. It was one hell an experience. Should you be visiting Neuschwanstein, you have to do it at least once. Went back down for a rest and since Nik's tour was going to start. During his tour, i went back to the bridge again as a photo was overexposed. Decided to check out what else is there after the bridge. Saw quite a few people up the hike, so i decided to climb again. This time only higher. In fact so much higher that when i was coming down later at the halfway point, i came to where Nik and i have accomplished. The view up there was simply magnificient. I shan describe my way up or down or my mum will start to get worried... haha. Dun worry i am safe and sound and i know how to take care of myself. Spent quite some time up there as getting down was sooooo much harder than going up. Met Nik back at the exit of the castle and went to the Alpensee, Alps Lake. It was yet another super pretty place, with the Alps peak in sight between 2 other hills behind the lake. Look at my picture. I simply can't put the beauty down in words. Waited for 2 hours for the sun to set, but 2 hours later, the sun was still shinning like 2 hours before. Sadly we had to leave to catch the 2 hours train back munich. But all in all, i took 266 photos in this trip alone. I am so glad i made this trip. Leaving on the train and watching the Alps disappearing into the night, I can't help but feel this sense of sadness. But i know that one day, i will come back to this beautiful place again. Neuschwanstein, CHECKED! Pictures to be posted tomorrow!