I Can See Neuschwanstein Castle

Good: Following the disappointment at the Neuschwanstein Castle on Sunday due to foggy weather, I made plans to return there today as the weather forecast was good, and that the cost of transport was reasonably cheap due to the Bayern Ticket, a special train ticket that allows for unlimited train travel for 1 day in Bavaria (and Salzburg, Austria) for just 22 euros for 1 person (and 2 additional euros for each extra person up to 5, i.e. 30 euros for 5 persons). My train ticket from Munich Central to Munich Airport would have cost 10.50 euros alone, but the Bayern ticket was valid for Munich Central to Fussen (2 hr train), Fussen to Neuschwanstein Castle ticket office (15 min bus), Neuschwanstein Castle to Fussen (15 min bus), Fussen to Munich Central (2 hr train), and Munich Central to Munich Airport (40 min train). Transport arrangements aside, I was able to take photos of Neuschwanstein Castle in superb sunlight conditions, blue sky and all. I also did not have to wait too long for the castle tour, which showed how Neuschwanstein Castle was not only a fairy-tale castle on the exterior, but also in the interior. King Ludwig II had it built more for aesthetics than function, with each room having very different and seemingly random themes. Imagine entering a grotto which was one of the rooms! Actually the king had the castle rooms designed according to the operas which his good friend Richard Wagner composed. A most successful day trip and a befitting way to end my 3.5 weeks in Eastern and Central Europe.

Not-so-good: Bathing at 4.30am at the non-heated shower area of the outdoor campsite accommodation. There was hot water but the water flowed intermittently and ambient temperature was just 8 deg Celsius. The price to pay for being in Munich at the same time as Oktoberfest.

Noteworthy food/drink: The quintessential currywurst was just 2.20 euros at the Munich Central Train Station, bread included. I couldn’t tell how it was any less tasty compared to pricier versions I’ve had.