DAYS 14 & 15, 8-9 April. Vienna Austria

Day 14-

Today we are in Vienna- its a grey day but at least no rain. After breakfast we were taken out in coaches to the city for a tour. Its a surprisingly long way from the canal to the city, which is massive and spread out. The outskirts of Vienna have a lot of tagging and seemed certainly less glamorous than the central part. They have an open tagging allowance along the concrete canal walls, to try to deflect graffiti in other areas, so some of it is artistic but the rest is your usual NZ, Australian words which arent english- probably cos the kids who do it arent in school learning how to spell lol!

We had an awesome stop at a Schnapps museum and distillery at 9.30am where we learnt all about the Fischer family who began it all. They have had a lot of stars through as well- there is a photo of Hugh Grant looking absolutely blotto, but very happy on the wall and Marilyn Manson. We were invited to sample the many types and flavoura after the tour- and they were yummy! Not really into alcohol after breakfast but it certainly burnt away some of my cold bugs haha! We bought a bottle of chilli schnapps which actually tasted like bananas to me (work that out?!) 112 proof and definitely not for the faint hearted, but its very smooth. Graeme also sampled the "Green Fairy" and thought he might be able to fly like one afterwards! They had some funny t-shirts too which we both got one of.






After the sampling we were into town for a guided walking tour. The centre of town is incredibly opulent and the millionaires mile sports clothes and jewellery that noone would afford! The buildings are of mammoth proportions- the sheer size of each building is like a block or more.

We also saw where the famous white spanish dancing horses live and train - smack bang in the middle of the city. They are beautiful and gracious with a history dating back to the 1500's I think.


The photo of the lamp shades is by a company called Demels and everything in the demos are edible! This is on millionaires mile so maybe we could all afford one strand?!

Back to the ship and an easy afternoon, just getting on top of this bug- a lot of the people on our bus are down with it too, thanks to the explosive coughing and sneezing one or two were doing on the 5 hours on the bus the other day. Still, will build immunity I guess.

We had an early dinner tonight as we were booked for the Vienna Orchestra concert. We are very lucky they put on a private 1 hour concert - just 9 of them and 3 opera singers. It was in the military museum, which is an amazing building with painting and statues everywhere - where they had champagne served in the foyer under the statues of all the great Viennese military leaders since the 1400's. We had front row seats and it was fantastic! Even those who arent really into Classical music and or opera, thought it was magical! Dad you would have so Loved it - their talent is music to your ears- literally. Everything from their clothing to the shininess of the mens shoes, showed the pride and respect of the Vienna Orchestra. An hour went by in mins it seemed, then we were off to see the city lit up at night. Well worth the night out.

Day 15-

Up and into Vienna today for a free day roaming. Its great they provide shuttle buses in and out of town for us.
We wandered the streets, there are watch shops everywhere! Graeme bought a fountain pen in a great shop to add to his writing collection. It was like stepping back into yesteryear.

We had lunch with friends from the ship in a pizza place in a really old ex granary with a cool brick domed ceiling. The pizza slices were massive!

Its a beautiful blue sky day today and it got to 15C, positively hot - haha! We went back to the ship then dinner at the captains table tonight (should be quiet as he doesnt speak much english) No, it was very good as Petra the cruise director, interpreted!

Days 12 & 13, 6-7 April. Germany into Austria

Day 12-

We arrived in Passau Germany this morning- opened the curtains to find we were docked in the town and were right beside the street! Didnt even hear or feel anything and our door was open all night lol.

We had signed up for an optional today, most are included on the river cruises but they offer a few 1/2 & full day extra tours. We booked for the visit to the magical town of Cesky Krumlov (or cheesey crumpet according to Danni!) It was a 2 hour coach road through the hills into the Czech Republic and right on cue it started to snow - then it really snowed! Most of us being kiwis and australians were all like little kids, so the driver Rudi stopped the bus so we could take pics etc. I got a great handful down my jacket from a guy who couldnt resist the urge as Graeme and I were taking a selfie- it was hilarious!

Back on the bus and the snow got thicker and thicker, with piles on the side of the road. Everyone started thinking it might end up cold and miserable for a walking tour, but again right on cue- the snow settled and it was 1C of gorgeous clear shy - puffer jackets are THE BEST things we brought along. We had the walking tour with the guide who never stopped talking?! then we were set free in this lovely little ancient town which used to be under communist rule.

It was like the town we visited the other day - Rudesheim, it had a magical feel and then big fat light snowflakes started to fall again. It kept on most of the day but not enough to make you wet, just enough to fall on your eyelashes and hats! It was awesome.

Cheeses and sausages outside at the stalls- its so cold they dont need refrigeration or covering!














We went into a restaurant with another couple which was full- so we knew it was good. We were seated at a big table next to a couple of ladies who were eating. Turned out they were from NZ- and also Hamilton!!! How freaky is that in a tiny town in the mountains of the Czech Republic?! They live in a suburb not far from Mum and Dad too.

We ordered chicken schnitzels and a 500ml beer for the princely sum of 9 eauro's each! It was so cheap and delicious. Its really cozy in the shops as they keep them toasty and warm. Then we wandered around and bought a few things, then back into a cafe for hot chocolate and cake! Wandered back to the meeting point and then through the mountains again to Passau in Austria to meet the ship, which had gone on without us.




Had a great dinner with a group then upstairs to listen to an Aussie singer, who is married to an Austrian woman. He played Neil Diamond and a lot of other oldies that we grew up with- was good.

Day 13 -

Had a fitful night and woke feeling hot and a bit blah today, after the guy behind me continually sneezed and coughed over us in the bus yesterday. I wondered if we would cop it, but thats the time of year I guess - Graeme keeps making me drink alcohol to kill the bugs, I prefer big doses of vitamins. But I compromised! We docked in the Austrian town of Melk this morning which is small but has a historical abbey there, which still has monks living in it - plus a school.

We toured the abbey and the opulence is pretty remarkable. They have some pretty impressive relics like the oldest wooden cross known apparently and an 800 year old scripture book. There was also a 13th century copper mask, a relic from a royal lady, born in the early 1200's.

It was rather (very) fresh in the outside air but also nice to get out and see it all.

Back onto the ship where we cruised downstream to the tiny town of Durnstein, up on a cliff face. We all got off the ship and walked there and wandered its cobbled lanes - saw one of the ladies from Hamilton we met yesterday,as their ship was docked there as well!

Back on the ship- after a tender veal schnitzel for dinner tonight, we were treated to an Austrian dessert called 'Kaiserschmarr'n'. Its like a very light chopped lattice strudel with apple and sultanas in it, with preserved spicy plums and a jam with cream and raspberries or strawberries on top. Graeme was in heaven!

Days 8 & 9, 2nd-3 rd April Bavaria -Rudesheim-Bamburg

Day 8 -

Life continues down the Main ("Mine") river in Germany. We have gone through so many lochs overnight and apparently because of the weather storms hitting Europe, the waterways are extremely high and more of a challenge for the captain. We have been into some 'Banana" lochs, which have curves in them - these were built before such long river boats were designed, so you have a 'bump' whenever you move into the loch to line up.

We were picked up by coaches today and taken into the city of Wurzburg in Northwestern Bavaria to visit the bishop princes palace there - built in the 13th century. The local guide who took us is english but lives there and had an incredible grasp on the history of the palace and its incredible opulence. Everything was about the right amount of wealth being displayed, the right dress, standing and any amount of showing off! There is the largest single ceiling fresco in the world, painted into the main roof in the stairway. Unfortunately you cant take any photos as they are really strict about not taking big bags, water etc as apparently someone in the past had taken acid in to try and wreck some of the works.

Afterwards, we caught the buses back to the ship as it was raining and freezing cold. Back for lunch then we were out again, travelling an hour to the beautiful town of Rudesheim, which has a famous market platz, seen on many postcards. It was built in the 1700's and is picture perfect.

The weather dried up for us as we all wandered around and enjoyed this town, it reminded me of Cortona in Italy where they filmed 'Under the Tuscan sun'. The sun came out and snowflakes started to fall again - it was one of those moments you always remember. We went into a jewellery store which had a intriguing necklace collection in the window - they are intricate silver balls that have swarovski crystals in them you can see in the light and you can open the chamber to change the colour of the ball inside. They also have a matching cupids wing which so reminded me of the one in the movie 'Castaway' with Tom Hanks - where the angel wings on a package memorised him. Inside the ball is a bell which sounds exactly like sleigh bells- very pretty.
Graeme really wanted to buy it for me as our 29th wedding anniversary is in 3 days - he had looked up what the 29th is and apparently its 'new furniture' ?! haha but he wanted something more personal. I love it and it will always remind me of today as well :)

We went into a cafe in the platz with some of the others from our group and decided to have a german beer and sample the famous schnapps. I had kirsche cherry and Graeme had blueberry. One of the guys had apple and pear schnapps but he said it was exactly like grappa from Greece- rocket fuel! These are 42% alcohol and warm the cockles of your heart nicely!

Back onto the bus and the local guides said that the driver had brought along miniatures for sale that we were able to drink on the hours trip back - they were only a euro or two.

By the time Graeme had drunk the bottle of white wine Germany is famous for, helped me drink a ' herbal regulator' - like yaggermeister, a plum schnapps and the last of my pilsner, he was very happy and funny - not German at all!! The guides explained that germans dont like to show emotions a lot, dont smile and arent funny- so Graeme had obviously left his german heritage at the bus door- it was hilarious!

Back to the ship for dinner and a few more drinkies before falling into the incredibly comfy beds for the night! Great day.



Day 9 -

We had an easy start today with brekky followed by Petra- our lovely cruise directors game of "name whats in the socks" - we got 7 out of 10 correct with all sort of objects inside different socks, no looking, just feeling! I tried a grease and wrote on it that she is a really pretty cruise director but we didnt quite win!

In the afternoon, we went in coaches to the city of Bamburg which is a UNESCO world heritage sight due to all its significant buildings, frescoes and sights. Its also called little Venice due to is pretty bridges spanning the river of the Main-Danube canal. The first aztec arrow heads were found here in 1200 B.C !

The buildings were amazing and even though it is Easter Friday and all the shops are shut, there were people everywhere the cafes were open and the town is also famous for its smokey beer. Levi Strauss was also born on the outskirts of Bamburg and also Willy Messerschmitt who designed & manufactured the aircraft in his name, lived nearby.

We had a really mad, crazy local guide who made all sorts of noises and play acted a lot - strange but entertaining
                                 
                                

                                  

 

We all came back on the buses at 6pm then dinner, followed by a 60's and up dancing night. It was heaps of fun and Graeme dragged me up for the competition of dancing to the music until it stops then you have to pull a folded newspaper out of the back pocket and unfold it and jump on it before anyone else- we did well and got runner ups with a box of fancy german chocolates! It was a fun evening of the twist and rock n roll. Getting to know everyone really well now, so its becoming one big happy family.
 
Lets twist again!  Enjoying the crowd here, Precious Mc Kenzie and his wife Liz are  lovely- he is still weightlifting in the Masters classes around the world and coaching youngsters.