Die Berge und mehr: Las Montanas y mas: The mountains and more

We decided to head back a different way, so we headed south into Austria, where we were not even met with a sign regarding the change between countries, much less a border patrol.

We took a road through the mountain range and found the lake we had seen on the map, which was beautiful and it wrapped around the mountain for a good distance so we stopped multiple times to take photos. The best part was when we drove around the edge of the mountain and the moon was directly in front of us glistening off the lake...today was priceless.

Me taking a pic of the chicas, who were freezin in the car!

Bob at the beautiful Austrian lake.

Check that out!

...and the view...

and it doesn't get much better than the night of a lunar eclipse!

We continued on our way after grabbing some food at a hotel restaurant on the lake and got back to the flat with plenty of time to go out to Rachel and Tsveti's favorite place, Cokeybar...I don't think that is spelled right. Anyways...Tomorrow our trip ends back in good ol' Barca...but this trip has been amazing and today was the perfect way to end it.

Travelin' fools, having conquered western Germany by car(s).

Rachel and Me

The gang

Fantastischer Tag: Dia Fantastico: Fantastic Day

So we woke up to start our last full day in Germany to Rachel making some fantastic French toast in many flavors...mmmmm. Then the 5 of us hopped in the car and headed south...that's correct. Apparently you can drive another hour and a half south before hitting the Austrian border if you leave from Munich.

Kiddos in the back.

Mad driving skills in the pouring rain on the way to Fussen, Germany.

We made it to Fussen...now what is so special about it?

CASTLES. (I told you we became major fans!) Namely two castles belonging to King Ludwig, one of which was the family summer home when he was younger (Hohenschwangau) and the other, built and dedicated to his friend, and composer, Wagner (Neuschwanstein). Unfortunately for the viewers, the only way to see the truly extraordinary interiors is to go there yourselves...the artwork was incredible. I wish I could have taken photos just to attempt to capture it, but I guess this is the teaser for a trip to the south of Germany!

Hohenswangau

On the climb...Tom, Tsvetelina, Rachel, Bob

A break before we get tto the top: Me and Rachel!

It was raining...I refused to move for fear of getting even MORE wet.

View from the castle portal where cameras had to go away :(

The main stair

The "summer home" castle from the mountain

Now, up the hill to the icing on the cake, the castle built by ("crazy") King Ludwig, who had grown up in the previous castle, but wanted his own...less than a mile away.

From the side...it's definitely huge.

View from the rear of the castle

Yes...this is the castle that Disney's Sleeping Beauty's castle was designed after...

make's you wonder, "donde esta el principe azul?"