08-05-2011 - Heidelburg-Innsbruck

Today we drive down south into the Bavarrian alps though the border of Germany to see King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle in Austria. This casle inspired Walt Disney!!!! The scenic alphine drive through the mountains into Austria was truly a fairytale, the white snow capped mountains, the green valleys, the quaint timber cabins. The crystal clear alpine river waters, the absolute fresh mountain AIR........Seeing King Ludwigs Castle, high up a mountain, was spectacular, this romantic man ' King Ludwig'peole saw him as 'nutty' he wanted to build this fantastic catlle, and allot of people objected thinking he was going to spend state money, but he used his own. The Neuschwanstein Castle not that old either, it was only built in 1800's. He was executed eventually because the villagers thought he was mad. Of course when I saw some of the souveniers, it was an immediate attraction, the pinoccio figure, the nut cracker soldier, the alphine bells!!!!!!!!!!
Ariived at Inssbruck at about 4.30- we walk through the old town to see Golden Roof , the old casle that was bombed, had fires, and only the foundations and golden roof survived..I bought an original art piece from one of the artist, so am very pleased with it...I was so blown away with this Baltic village, something about it, just grabbed me. It was a sunday afternoon, and the peace and tranquility was something to experience. Everyone was so relaxed, VERY quiet, no hustle and bustle, eating and sipping wine, the history was also interesting, the smell of cinnemon and apples and oranges were so strong, the reason was to remind you what it was like in those years, people in the baraouch era used to empty/throw the sewerage into the street from the windows, and they used to use these natural scents to hide it...it was quite impresive.
We enjoyed a lively evening of traditional entertainment in Inssbruck, in the region called Tyrol, featuring dancers in national costume, yodelling. Well, who would have thought I would get so emorional....they were delightfull, especially when they were playing the cow bells, twice it brought me to tears....why would that be? Reminded me of my childhood watching 'Heidi' When we were at King Ludwigs castle, all I wanted to do was buy one of those traditional cow bells (which i did) ....I really love Innsbruch, and I will come back here one day!!!! tomorow is Vienna....more of Austria...going to have to try the apple strudle! Innsbruck is also famous for the Swarofski crystals, the Kitsbull ski resort, saw some awesome ski slopes, the olympics were held her some time or the other. another hightlight was visiting the BASILICA chaple, all I can say is WOWWWWIE, the art on the ceilings, the architecture, is wow....all i can think of is what a disposable world we live in now! Why can we not be proud of and work for years on a project that will live for 100's of years, instead os 50 yrs, just to be demolished to build more modern stuff....where is the sustainability in this thinking?
I am yest to see the BLUE DANUBE...yip a favourite classical from Motzart ....tomorrow we visit the land of 'The sound of Music'....heavens knows if I will cry again....
Tomorrow we visit eagles nest - Hitlers gift for his 50th bithday! It will be a chilling experience - temos will be 2 degrees in the morning - but warm up to 25 in the day.....