Burg Rheinstein and the adventurous journey home

On Tuesday (August 11) I decided to go to Burg Rheinstein, a castle on the Rhein, in between Bingen and Trechtingshausen. The website said it was a 30 minute walk from the Trechtinghausen train station, or you could take a taxi from Bingen. Since I left after work, I wouldn't get there before closing if I walked, so I took a taxi. The driver gave me his card. These details are only important for the second part of the story.

So I went in to the castle and it was pretty cool. One nifty thing is that it started out life as a "real" castle, as in one built for fortification and protection (built by a bishop of the area to protect his piece of the Rhine River), but then was renovated during the Romantic period as a summer home for the Prussian prince. So it is both functional and pretty. One of my favorite combinations.

Drawbridge

Suits of Armor

Tapestry

"Rhein Tower"

My advice: if you are afraid of heights, do not climb the Rhein Tower. the is nothing but a narrow staircase and metal railing between you and a fatal fall. But the view is amazing. 

Dining Room/entertaining hall

bedroom

Views from the Rhein Tower

The chapel

So I had just enough time to see the castle before it closed. Awesome! Now just time to get home. So I start off down the road to try to find a bus stop or maybe a boat that goes across the river. But then after walking down the road awhile, the sidewalk narrows to nothing without a bus stop or anything else in sight. So I call the number for the taxi. I tell him I need a taxi and where I am, and he says that he doesn't speak English, and instead of giving me a chance to try to stumble through some German, he hangs up on me. I think about calling back and yelling some angry broken German at him, but I figure I shouldn't even give him my business. I came to regret this decision, but by that point it was too late. anyway, so I walk back to the Castle to try to find the way to the Trechtingshausen train station. the road in the other direction looks just about as empty as the previous direction. So eventually I find a path nearby and start walking down in until I see a sign that points toward Trechtingshausen. Very shortly I come to realize that this is not some 30 minute stroll. This path is a full-on hiking route. Which would be fine if I were prepared for it. But I am in my flip flops and shorts, and did not put on bug spray. and the path get pretty narrow right next to a big drop down the small mountain/giant hill I was on. I was seriously worried I was going to slip and fall down the mountain and not be found for days. There was even a section that was so much rock there was a rope put into the mountain next to the path to hold on to. But apparently I am part mountain goat since I somehow survived. 


Ok, so I may be prone to exaggeration. Eventually I did calm down enough to start to enjoy my surroundings a little bit, though it was very hard when I was so sweaty and gross and tired. Also, this walk definitely took longer than 30 minutes. Eventually I got off the path and found a restaurant, then found the train station, where I found out the train was late. but I eventually got home and got some much needed sleep.

The path also went by another castle called Burg Rechenstein. It was under construction though, but still looked cool. And it will be a hotel that opens this winter.

So this trip took a lot longer than I thought it would, but oh well.