Vacation In The Alps: Day Four – Chill Out

If you haven’t already, be sure to read Vacation day one, two, and three! Be sure to “like” the new facebook page on the right hand side of this blog or by going to this link. It’s easy and makes me happy. So do it. RIGHT NOW! Thanks for everyone’s support!! 

My special day had arrived, it was officially “Princess Day” announced by me of course! I was so excited that I woke up at 7:45 (idiot me!) and went to have breakfast. Upon arrival I saw a sign in front of a food warmer that read “Bacon.” Literally..in English…the word I have been waiting for since March. As soon as it registered in my brain what I was actually seeing I yelled out, “BACONNNN…..MOVE!” and with that pushed Toblerone aside and went hog wild towards the breakfast table!

Massage at 9:00am proved that I need more spa days. The knots the elbow lady worked on in Day two were still there and refusing to leave my shoulders! Anyone want to donate to the “stress-free-Spice-fund?” After the lady gave up and set me free I was off to prepare for the big day. So why is it a Princess day? Every Princess belongs in a castle…right? Today we were off to see the most photographed castle in the world – Neuschwanstein Castle!!!! I made sure all my jewels were on…who says I’m too old to play pretty pretty princess?

Off we went! Normally we live about 3 hours from this castle but we were only 1 hour from the hotel so it seemed like a good idea. It was so warm outside I felt as if I would melt if I moved out of the A/C in the car. And so I did. We were in traffic for much too long and there were people EVERYWHERE. It was an absolute madhouse with people walking in the streets we could barely move an inch. Finally parked and approaching the ticket center was about a 5 hour wait. That’s not an exaggeration. We quickly learned that the only way to see the actually inside of the castle was to have a ticket and a tour scheduled. They apparently ask that you reserve your ticket a day in advance. So, my happy Princess bubble I was in all morning immediately burst and I turned into Godzilla.

Without a ticket we’re allowed to walk around the outside of the castle and take pictures and this was the ONLY option I would allow at this point. I was ready to just go home but Toblerone tried hard to remedy the situation. We found a shuttle that would take us up the hill to the castle. A lovely, HOT shuttle with no windows open, sweaty people who forgot their deodorant…What is it with people here and their lack of deodorant?

Up on the mountain we have a plan to just get in, take our pics, and get the hell out! There were the typical types taking 8,000 pictures of the same thing over and over again. You know what I mean. This was the first time I was actually annoyed that there weren’t many Germans around. I heard all sorts of different languages and it really took away from the whole magic of the castle, I thought. I was not impressed and was ready to leave and we did just that. As we were leaving it was also a madhouse trying to get on a bus. People crowded all over the place and an older group of fat Italians literally almost trampled and squished me into the bus. I had to turn around and tell them to “Calm the F*** down! We’re all going to the same place. JESUS!” They sort of backed off but probably weren’t sure what I said, only noticed that my eyebrows were angry.

My recommendation to those coming to check out this beautiful castle: Make a reservation the day before for a tour, wear comfy shoes because you do a lot of walking just to get to the castle even after the bus drops you off, and do NOT go during peak season – the summer is off-limits. I bet fall is beautiful though. AND there is another nice castle a few miles down from it so that is something to see as well.

We drove back to the hotel and I was in rare form. I did NOT want to ever look at a castle again or have a day just for me. Clearly, this never works out. There’s always something that goes wrong. Any of you have that same problem? We decided to stop for a beer because that was seriously needed. A little restaurant had maybe two other people there which was great except we had to wait 20 minutes for a beer. Spice = SUPER ANNOYED! So we stole the beer glasses after we paid and went on our way. Yes, we stole them. It’s Justice, people…don’t judge.

Princess day wasn’t over yet so I decided to start over and make the best of it. I swam for a bit in the hotel, watched sex and the city (in English of course) and then went off to dinner. I had another fun thing to look forward to so I wasn’t going to let that stupid castle ruin my day!

Appetizer: Pesto bread with ham and mustard. Balsamic vinegar and watermelon with feta cheese. 

Soup: Decided against this and got a smoothie instead -yogurt and johannisbeeren. Berries we don’t have in the US to my knowledge. 

Dinner: Colorful rainbow trout with wildflower garnish, veggies, and rice of some sort!

Dessert: Ice cream with chocolate, strawberry, and apricot sauce, fruit, and sweet popcorn in pistachios. 

We rushed into town for……..DA DUMMMMMM….. Musicals on Ice! Let me explain…no…I can’t. When I was little I loved to see the Ice capades and this particular show happened to be in town while we were there so Toblerone got me tickets for my Princess day.

It was really great and most of the skaters are top competitors so it was nice to see this and hear all my favorite musical songs. Was really missing my mom and sister in that moment since we’re the musical queens! Anywho, intermission was also really nice. They had another rink with small tables on the ice and in the middle a place to get all sorts of snacks and drinks from Sangria to chocolate covered bananas. Toblerone managed through it all since the girls had on such interestingly small and tight outfits. 🙂

Back at the hotel we had a drink at the bar and then to bed. Our last night there wasn’t so bad. The day however was a nightmare! No more castles for me during summer. Never again!

Until next time, Readers!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

Vacation In The Alps: Day Three – Calm Down

Sorry I’ve been MIA for a few days. I’m prepping for my first day of German class. Not looking forward to one year of this nonsense for 5 hours a day, every day. Lame. 

Follow along with our vacation so far by reading day one here and day two here. xoxoxoxo

Day Three

Waking up to a champagne breakfast in bed is exactly how that sounds…PERFECT! You’re out of your minds if you think champagne for breakfast doesn’t give you that kick you need to start your day off right. It’s better than coffee, people. I can only say this because I don’t drink coffee.  Personally, a buzz in the early morning sunshine should be mandatory. Everyone would have a good start to their day! Along with the beverage we had the typical German breakfast complete with different meats, rolls, cheeses, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, eggs, and much more! Total dream! I know…I sense your jealousy. You’ll get over it.

On this day we had planned to take a gondola ride up to the tallest mountain in that area, called Nebelhornbahn (Nay-bell-Horn-Ban). Reaching as tall as 2,224 meters or 7,116 feet. To set the scene: The sun was hot, dehydrated from champagne, and prepped to take a hike UP the mountain. Hmmm.

Upon arrival, parking became a SERIOUS problem. I knew already that I was going to get annoyed. Not a fan of a bunch of people and although I’m the foreigner here, I still feel like they are everywhere. Bad experiences in the US I suppose. Or maybe it’s my “I’m the only one in the world” complex. The line for the gondola looked to be a few hours wait so I planted my feet firmly in place as Toblerone ran in for the tickets. I quickly realized the Gondola is quite big and could hold a bunch of people so the line dwindled down super fast which was pleasantly surprising. My pale Irish skin was thankful. VERY thankful.

After about 25 people crammed into this Gondola we headed up to the top. Three Gondola rides later filled with sweaty people who ALL seemed to have forgotten their deodorant. I know this is Europe. I’m down with the unshaved armpits however, can they at the VERY least put on a little something to make the world a better place?Asphyxiation is not the way I want to die.  I suppose I shouldn’t complain, afterall…there were no waggling willies this time around!

We reached the top via Gondola. It was my lucky day since Toblerone was still healing from surgery we couldn’t do the whole hiking thing. YEAH! Of course this was pretty high up and falling down was NOT an option. It’s no Everest but I had to keep checking my breathing and oxygen level and checking for symptoms of high altitude sickness. I really need to stop watching the “Climb to Everest” show on Discovery Channel.

All the way up at various stages of the climb were small restaurants and such. At the very top we had a couple super cold beers and took a bunch of pictures – TOURISSSTTTTSS! Here’s what shocked me. We are sitting up on this mountain and people brought their NEW BORN BABIES up. Um, hello. What is appealing to a new born about witnessing this day. Talk about a pain in the ass. You have your stroller, milk, toys, blankets, hats, shoes…omg. I wanted to punch these people. Come back when the kid is at least 5 years old! Anyway, I was kid free and happy about it!

Heading back down the mountain we stopped at a cute little alpine restaurant and had lunch. Nothing better than wurst, senf, and brot. (Weiner, mustard, and bread!)  The sights around us were pretty amazing. Mountain tops as far as the eye can see. Incredible stuff!

Back at the hotel I went for another swim before dinner. Mental note made: next house we are putting in a GIANT indoor pool. That’s all there is to be said about the matter.

On the Menu –

Appetizer: Wasabi dip with chinese crab cracker and vegetables

Soup: Cheese soup

Dinner: Grilled fish in tomato sauce (wildflower garnish on the right) and rice. 

Dessert: Schwarzwalder Kirsh icecream with fruit and strawberry sauce (DELISH!)

We did our usual after dinner. Went out to find a bar and that we did. A glass or two of wine later and we had planned out our winter adventure here. Remind me to find cute wool sweaters and fur boots to wear with warm leggings. Maybe a fur hat too?!

Bed early to rise for “Princess Day”…. 🙂 Day four was my day…didn’t totally turn out to how it should have been but..well…you’ll read about it!

Until next time, Readers!! xoxoxoxo