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 ZedNats '07
at the Austrian Lakeland Country |
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• Scenic gun ball run decided ...
Fist time in 2003, we only drove to the venue and back within two days,
than decided to extend our tour from the following years, have some
"scenic gun ball drive" and include stopovers at interesting destinations.
Based on the idea we selected top of the Alps for our year 2004 destination,
called pick Grosglockner at the heights of 3500m.
With an Austrian round drive of 16 hours we took our way down to the
Italian border, than up to the mountain pick, than across the mountain
and down to the other side up to our final destination near Attersee.
It was little bit tiresome...therefore we decided at further extension and
added one more day again.
• ZedNats '07..
End of July in 2007 therefore our ZedNats '07 scenic run began on Thursday
early morning.
Six cars met on the meeting point outside Budapest at 5 am, where we
greeted each other, clarified the driving plan, than pocketed the action
T shirts and stickers, designed for these special occasion. After the
short preparation we took our way to the border, where the convoy extended
by two more cars.
The 8 cars than pushed across to the northern Austrian
country side, eating up the first 720 kilometres till the first destination
reached near Innsbruck.
Thanks to the nice travel conditions the first leg was a "piece of cake" and
could be reached till mid afternoon. After check in and familiarization,
our party tent was raised at the edge of the huge garden that had breathtaking
view down to the city (Innsbruck) and up to the Alps above us.
The party was long and memorable ....
Crystal clear morning welcomed our guys, after the first alpine night. After
the deepened hearty breakfast and some short walk under the "piping" mountains,
we were ready for the next leg.
Following the instructions of the GPS navigation systems, ( still missed the
right path in couple of times) we continued our way across the mountains and
valleys toward to the intended ddestination of Neuschwanstein (New Swan Stone)
Castle.
Royal palace in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, the most famous of three
royal palaces built for King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
The castle that was also inspired number of fairy tail movies of Walt Disney.
• The fairy tail castle
Set in the Alps, this beautiful fairytale castle was the imaginary of Ludwig
"The Shy Dreamer" ("only true king of this century" by poet Paul Verlaine ),
who's ideas were far beyond his age of knowledge.
The exterior of the castle itself, with its outer facade of red and white
and the mountains in the background, is a photographer's delight.
The interior of the castle is also superb and offers a remarkable insight
into Ludwig II's romanic-obssessed mind. Although only 14 rooms were completed
inside (due to the king's mysterious and unexpected death in 1886), they are
magnificent. All rooms were decorated by local artists. The paintings were
chosen by King Ludwig from his favorite operas. Once inside you can get a
breathtaking view of the Alps.
Neuschwanstein is a dream comes true. Some say Ludwig was mad, but he sure
wasn't stupid! Sometimes if we don't understand someone, we label them and
this is what happened to the good SMART king.
It is documented that Ludwig led a very unusual life and had too many strange
innovations built by his design into the castle. Central heating, intercom
system, a primitive form of air conditioning and running hot and cold water
in an age when practically everybody had to go to the nearest stream just
to drink some water!
This castle alone brings millions of visitors each year to it and they spend
well over a billion dollars a year while they're visiting. Now who is mad?
Perhaps the wrong judgment .. because such a genius would be snuffed out
simply because he spent 800 million in investment dollars to bring in
almost 100 billion over the last 50 years.
That is a guesstimate of course but there really is no telling how far
reaching the fore site of this "Mad" King's genius has spread.
(On a scale of 10; Neuschwanstein scored 14 points out of 10, ie way
above outstanding).
• The meeting ...
Saturday morning began with nervous chase looking for cleaning facilities
and washing actions..
Soon after the preparation we put on our designer Z club polo’s and drove
to the nearby city, to join the Z car evolution line ups in the parking
area of the local cinema complex. Shiny Zeds, SXs and NXs were standing
next to each other from Germany, Austria, and Hungary ... more than 45 cars
.. unfortunately less than last year !!!
Long and boring waiting period - without specific program actions - followed
till mid afternoon, when we finally formed the international Z convoy for
the fun drive around the picturesque surroundings of Lake District. Small
towns, winding roads and sky-high mountains welcomed our snaky lines, while
we were enjoying the beautiful scenery and the ultimate driving pleasure.
Pleasure of the fare unfortunately did not help to confine the cry after
some other excitements, therefore we decided to leave the convoy and include
a swimming session when we followed our custom of club "flag deepening" in
the crystal clear blue lake water.
The green carpet of lawn - on the other hand – also provided with a good
opportunity to the others enjoying some rest or a short afternoon catnap
on the blankets..
The farewell party was quite and not so long as at the other nights ..and
even left some provisions for the next month action too !!!
Full of excitements and good memories, how we remember to this four days event.
Thanks for creator who made the natural beauties around us and thanks to
Nissan who installed those four wheels beneath our tin boxes to be able
to experience those outstanding driving pleasures,
(S.SZ.)
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