Bike, Swim, Hike

Yes, I biked, swam, and hiked, all in the alps! It is really hard to say this since everyday I've been in Europe has been awesome, but today is pushing one of the most incredible days I have had. 

August 3 

Today i was heading to the Neuschwanstein castle with a tour thought mikes bikes tour. I started off a bit rushed actually. I took the tram into the city and thought I was exactly on time  but the tram was slower than normal. 

I ended up getting off the tram at karlsplatz and ran through Marienplatz to the tour. I made it just on time!

We got on the bus and we headed through beautiful Bavaria to Neuschwanstein castle. In the distance the mountains were just different shades of blue, the closer ones darker and as they got taller and further just lighter and fainter. 

We turned the corner and I saw the castle. It was absolutely beautiful and so much more impressive than in pictures I have seen. 

We started the day riding bikes! 

We rode around a little neighborhood, through trees with the castle in the background, and around swan lake. We stopped at swan lake and went for a swim in the alpine lake. 

It was like I was living in a dream, swimming in the freshest water, in the mountains, in the alps!!!!! So crazy. I couldn't get enough of it. 

It was the most beautiful bike ride I have ever been on!  I went swimming and started hanging out with these three girls from Norte dame who were in Europe for rowing. They were so sweet and welcoming to me and are the first group of girls who I have actually gotten to know. 

We went in and had lunch. I tried an apple strudel and the "best Weiss beer in Bavaria" called king Ludwig weissbier. 

 

Then we slid down an alpine slide.  First a little trolly took us up the hill to the top of the slide. The stick that is in the picture is used to control yourself. If you pulled it towards you, it breaks and if you push it away, you speed up. 

A girl hasn't fallen off the slide in the 14 years our tour guide has worked there so I had to be careful. Knowing me that would happen. He said it is usually cocky hungover 20 year olds that fall off. Too funny!

It was a blast. I was cracking up the whole time and videoing my ride down. 

Then we watched our tour guide do some magic tricks because he went to school to be a magician. He was awesome. 

The last part of the day consisted of what we came there to do. We hiked up this beautiful gorge with water falls and beautiful rocks and then did the castle tour. 

Little kids come here on their holiday breaks and build these rock towers so of course I had to make one. In the background of this picture you can see Mary's bridge which is the famous bridge you get the good picture of the castle from. 

Here is my rock tower 

We hiked up to Mary's bridge and took some great pictures! The bridge was so packed full!!!

The castle tour was alright but I learned more about the history of the king from our guide on the bus than from the tour itself. 

The day was so incredible because we had a guide so we learned so much and didn't have to plan on our own. We also did just such a variety of activities that it was a great break from city life and exploring a new place. I am so glad that I met Molly, Erin, and Ailish because it made it so much more fun having people to do all the activities with who I actually had fun with! 

We headed back on the bus to Munich and I passed out the whole way. 

Erin, Molly, and I went to the Augustiner Keller brew haus for a quick bite (half a chicken) to eat and a beer. We were so tired but it was a great beir garten and we were happy we went.

We were heading back and we were all so ready to go back and chill and get to bed early. We were all taking a shower and talking and they told me to hurry because they were going out and that I wAs coming! 

Yolo! (You only live once). I rushed to get ready and we went out with a few Irish guys, a British guy, and the girls. 

We went to a club called atomic club.  It was pretty fun considering i think it was the first time I have really gone to a club. I. Know what you are all thinking. Yes, I prefer local bars than clubs but it was a fun experience!  

I headed home with these two guy that were staying at my hostel, Josh and Andrew. 

We stopped and got a döner kebap which I hadn't had yet! We took the tram home and I had never been happier to get in bed! What an incredible day. Definitely a day I will never forget!