The highlight of todays afternoon was a visit to the world famous and iconic Neuschwanstein castle. You can walk to the Austrian border and there are scenic views from its mountaintop setting for miles around.

Arriving just after noon our ticket time for the guided tour was 3.20 leaving plenty to time to explore first. There is actually a second lessor known castle situated right beside.

Those on the bus had to pay 23 Eu for the two tickets today to Linderhof and Neuchswanstein. I had bought my pass for 24 Eu so it had already paid for itself today plus all the other castles I could visit.

Schloss Hohenschwangau is still owned by the family so not part of my Bavaria Castle Pass. You can buy a seperate or combo ticket to enter, which I could have done with so much time.

At the foot of both castles is also a large lake, the Alpsee. It reminded me of Heaven Lake in Xinjiang China with its mountain valley setting.

I made the wrong decision of deciding to walk up the long hill path to get to Neuschwanstein rather than staying down to explore. There was another Museum of the Bavarian Kings I could have explored with Hohenschwangau Castle.

Its a long, steep, winding 20 min walk to the top, reminding me of the many mountain climbs in Korea to get to temples. You can take an expensive horse carriage ride, or a bus ride that has very long lines and wait times.

When I reached the top there were scenic views across the whole valley. There is also a viewing platform to admire the castle.

However I had 2 hours to wait before my designated tour time. I wasnt going to climb down and come back up again so had to find a cool spot to sit and wait the two hours.

Inside the tour no pics were allowed again. This was another castle not completed by Ludwig. Only the 3rd and 4th floors are complete. The castle is built in a Medieval Byzantine style so has a much different feel from the other Palaces.

Much of the interior is made from carved oak so has a darker feel and wouldnt have been good for pics anyway. The chapel on the top floor had Orthodox style wall murals.

There was also his private quarters where five doctors had declared him mad before they carted him off. His bedroom was very dark all in dark oak. The rooms are much brighter in the brochure pics then they actually are.

From the second floor the castle is not complete. It is used as a cafeteria and gift shop. There is also a viewing terrace with views of the valley across to Austria.

As you exit down you pass thru the kitchens before a long tunnel to lead you back outside. There are also other displays.

We had to be back on the bus at 4.45 so just some time to take some more pics of the tourist shops and restaurants down below.

Driving back to the Munich department store we had passed by a Uyghar Chinese Restaurant this morning. I had visited the Xinjiang region of China in the west bordering Central Asia in 2011 so am very familiar with the culture. See Blog of trip http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/lo ndone7/16/tpod.html

I had Lagman (lamb noodles) and samsa (pasty filled with mince and onion), a filling treat to end a long day for 8.40 Eu ($12)

I also wanted to do some shopping on this trip so headed over to the stores before they started to close. I managed to find a good pair of running shoes as I like the European styles better than the ones in North America. It was a nice end to a long day.

Ludwig had built three unique castles, Chiemsee on a lake island, Linderhof in the forest, and Neuschwanstein atop a mountain. Only Linderhof was completed in his lifetime. Two weeks after his death Neuschwanstein was opened to the public to illustrate the extent of his 'madness'.

Neuschwanstein became the most legendary perched atop a mountain and the design model for Disneyland. However it is not as lavish inside, and quite dark and gloomy, compared to his other opulent baroque style palaces.

I would not consider Neuschwanstein to be my favourite of the three and would consider visiting one of the other ones again over Neuschwanstein. I would however return maybe to visit the Museum of Bavarian Kings and Schloss Hohenschwangau.