Early start considering the late night but had booked tour. Got to Mike's Bike Office about 8 30 for the bus to Neuschwanstein Castle. It was the inspiration for the Disney castle. Had a two hour bus ride that I slept for most of. Arrived and met Brad our guide for the day. All got sorted on the bikes and headed off into the countryside. The most amazing place, perhaps the most beautiful place I've ever been to. Biked out to Swan Lake (not the inspiration for the ballet). Some girls went in but not very warm so I declined. Went for a little wander instead, well until Brad told me that the only poisonous snake in Bavaria lives about 3 foot from where I was stood. Managed to stay calm however and just returned to my bike. Despite scenery was not too bothered when we had to leave that area! Went back through the countryside again and parked up the bikes. Went into a restaurant for lunch. It was raining so the alpine slide (a mini bobsleigh/toboggan metal slide down the mountain) wasn't open, was very disappointed as had been hoping to go on it. Brad showed us some magic instead as he's a trained magician. After lunch we went to the foot of the mountain. Brad warned us that the hike was very strenuous and had 45 mins of constant uphill steps and that it was possible to get a bus to the castle. Still struggling with breathing so decided to get the bus. Very windy road and nearly landed on a couple of peoples laps, oops. Got to the top and as recommended went to the Marien bridge. Amazing view of the castle and surrounding scenery. Bridge very scary tho, very high up and the wooden boards were really bendy. Felt like they were going to snap any moment, especially with the number of people on the bridge. met the hikers and was very glad of my decision. It had apparently been very hard. Went inside the castle on the guided tour. The owner was King Ludwig 2 and he was a little crazy. Made for an interesting interior, he was friends with Wagner the composer and all the castle was dedicated to him, all walls painted depicting Wagner's operas. His bed was incredible was all wooden with a canopy of gothic style towers, apparently took 14 carpenters 4 and a half years to make! Continuing the craziness we went through to a man made cave on the 3rd floor of the castle, was great. Ludwig very ahead of his time, had running water and a telephone, even a conservatory. Whole castle fascinating and well worth going into. came out and walked down the mountain to meet the bus at the bottom. Really really steep, kept thinking i was gonna fall. Got back on the bus and headed back to Munich. Got back to the hostel about 8 and met Lyn and Kay, older ladies also on Busabout. joined them for dinner and chatted about our days. Is good to see older people doing this, Lyn's waiting for a grandchild to be born which seemed quite strange as most of us are still the grandchild! Went to bed after that about 10 and passed out, really tired.