Beautiful Melk, Austria

Tueday July 1st, 2014

We had fantastic weather for our time in Melk!

We were just docking in Melk as we awoke this morning. Looks like a busy day on the Danube as we spotted several other ships already docked & we had to double dock alongside an Avalon Waterways ship. This happens sometimes & means that if you are on the side next to the other ship you can't use your balcony as they are very close. It also means you should keep your curtains closed when you are getting changed :)

Today's excursion, after breakfast was a trip to the beautiful Melk Abby & a walking tour through the town. Melk is a small town with a population of about 6,000 people, however the Abby is huge & dominates the town.

Phototaken from our ship.

Views from outside the Abby:

The Melk Abby was originally the home of the Babenberg family until it became a Benedictine Monastery in 1089. 

In 1978 it underwent an extensive renovation & although still used by the Benedictine Monks, is also a school, function centre & cultural event venue. In fact Australia's James Morrison is performing there in July.

Here are some photos of the Abby & grounds.

Then we were taken on a walking tour down many steps into the main part of the town. Lot's of beautiful old buildings, many currently being repaired due to the extensive damage obtained in the June 2013 floods. This are was hit really badly, apparently.

We had a coffee in the main square, took more photos & began the 20 minute walk back to our ship. Some snaps along the the way:

The best views of the outside of the Abby was as we walked back to our ship.

Luckily as we approached our ship the other one was leaving, so no obstructed view from our balcony.

Once back on board we were greeted with a slice of warm, traditional onion tart & a glass of local elderflower wine. Very good indeed!

Just time to download photos and a quick rest before lunch.

Next we leave here at 1.15pm & head towards Durnstein for another excursion later this afternoon. As you can see, no rest for the wicked! I think we do have an hour of scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley first though.

More later.

Betty & Mike

  

Sailing into Linz

Monday Afternoon, June 30th 2014

Just a few photos from our scenic afternooncruise into Linz

No time for commentary, too busy having fun :)

More later from beautiful Melk.

Passau, Germany to Linz, Austria

Monday June 30th 2014

Today we are in Passau for just a few hours as we docked around 8.30am & left for Linz at 11.30am. Apparently this is one of the most beautiful & scenic cruise area on the Danube. Today the water is a noticeably milky/muddy colour as the rain has added a few cms to the level.

Here are a few photos we managed to take before the rain intervened:

One for Jude & John :)

Leaving Passau:

Shortly we shall be in Austria, which is a largely mountainous country with a population of 8 million. The official language is German. Linz is the 3rd largest city in Austria & located in the north of the country, just 30km from the Czech border.

Some photos along the Danube as we sail towards Linz. You can see how the countryside is becoming more mountainous & the sun is starting to break through:

Not sure what happened, however we stopped briefly to pick up 2 of our passengers just into Austria, we were having lunch & saw them standing waiting to board with a taxi driver with them.

After lunch ther was a Strudel cooking demonstration in the lounge which was interesting, and we received the authentic recipe & were invited to taste one just cooked. I had to decline as I was still full from lunch, however Mike said it was the best he has tasted. We will apparently be served it on Wednesday evening after we return from a concert in Vienna.

Arrived in Linz around 5.30pm after navigating through several locks & almost 200km of river.

Will sign off now and get ready for dinner. 

More tomorrow.

Betty & Mike