LIECHTENSTEIN!!!

So, after a week full of exciting fun times with Dan and Matt, our time together was coming to an end. We had to get back to normal boring day to day life and Dan and Matt were all planned to go to Slovenia. But we still had one day left. So what do you do with one day in Europe? You hire a care and drive to Liechtenstein of course!

For those who don't know, Liechtenstein is a small country within Europe that is bordered by Austria and Switzerland. It is only 24.6km long, 12.4km wide. So while it was a small country itself, we had to travel from Germany, through Austria to get to Liechtenstein. We were also planning on driving home through Switzerland just so we could claim that we had been to 4 countries in one day, but alas, we ran out of time!

So Dan had the honour of being the designated driver! Matt was the co-pilot!

Leaving Munich, we didn't have much of a view. Thankfully we were driving to a warmer and sunnier place!



And we were happy enough in the back!

This was the border crossing into Liechtenstein!

We made it!

We found the most beautiful ruins to explore in Shellenberg. 

We all had to try climbing the walls at some point!

In true Travelling Clutz style, I was the sensible traveller who wore platform boots! Of course this made descending from the ruins a little tricky!

Check me out - such grace, such poise..... such a dork!

This was our little faithful car for the day - who beeped at us alot!

 In the city of Vaduz, we found lots of statues and had lunch!

 We visited the famed stamp museum of Vaduz.

 Then we made our way up towards Vaduz Castle. In the meantime, we stumbled upon what we thought might have been a house out of 'Grand Designs' because it was so unique, but we all thought it was also quite ugly.

Dan and I stopped for a photo with said crazy house. 

Climbing up towards Vaduz Castle, we got some great views of Vaduz and the mountains surrounding it. 

We also had some great photo opportunities. 

The view!


.... and I found an Acorn!

Dan and I had the best time being back together. No matter how many years we go between visits, or how many countries come between us, we can always pick up right where we left off! Talk about an awesome friendship.... 25years strong!

So awesome in fact, we jumped for joy.

Toyota should totally pay us for this!

This was the castle!

Couldn't get any closer!

The prince of Liechtenstein actually lives here. 

So after our Castle hike, we continued driving to a place at the bottom of Liechtenstien, and yet it was the top. Malbun is 1600 to 2000m above sea level, and it is a ski village during the winter. Right now however, it is home to an awesome go-kart ride which utilises one of the ski lifts. 

So of course, we had to try it! On the way up on the ski lift, we saw baby goats! Awwww!

We took some photos....

And admired the view. 

At the top we took a couple of quick photos because the go-kart man wasn't happy. We were the last people of the day and he wanted to go home!

Selfie!

Ok, - ready to ride!

Wait - was that an eagle?!?

And we were off! It was Kristie out in front, with Matt not far behind, but not to forget Danica, brining a close chase!

Happy snap!

Dan was so happy because Matt taught her how to skid. After that, all I heard behind me were tire skids.... and giggles!

Coming round the bend...

Warning, sharp turns ahead!

Sadly, after an awesome 15 minute journey down the mountain, we had to return our karts to the ski lift. 

This was not the most fun thing to do.....

.... as proven by the look on Danica's face. She totally wanted to go again!

  I of course was the last one.... I didn't want to get dust on me from the kart, but of course I got dust all over my leggings and my boots and my jacket...

And in true clutz style, I somehow managed to bruise my spine while riding.... go figure!

So at last we got on the way, back down the mountain and towards our last destination.... until we were stopped in our tracks by a heard of cows! They got a little too close for comfort, nearly taking out the wing mirrors. But boy did we laugh!

Hey - its a cow!

This was the view of the Rhein river as we descended the mountain.

Our last stop was another castle, this time in Balzers. 

It was surrounded by beautiful vine yards.

And the view was gorgeous. 

Crazy statues and poseable doorways!

Time for a couple of last selfies, one being very similar to the last time this crazy team got together at Windsor Castle 2 years ago....

And so this is how the Liechtenstein-in-a-day tour ends. We had an absolute ball with Dan and Matt and we were so grateful that they were able to come and spend some time with us in our new home. Thanks for being our first visitors, and I hope we gave you some good memories! Have a great time as you travel onwards, and have a safe journey home!