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!