Vienna - Wednesday, 29 June 2016

Sleeping on this ship has been a dream. The beds are comfortable and the air conditioning is perfect for sleeping under covers. Since the Pirates are on the west coast playing the Mariners, I was able to hear the last couple innings of the game. Another loss that is putting them closer to being eliminated from wild card competition.

Departure from the ship was at 9:00, so not too early of a morning. We began the day with a coach ride into the center city of Vienna. The St. Francis of Assissi Church was very close to our ship and was a landmark. It is also known as the Mexican Church or the Kaiser Jubilee Church.

We saw a capital that has beautiful and stately buildings. The coach dropped us off at Schwendenplatz, where we began our walking tour. The heat is oppressive and the number of tourists on the sidewalk beg one not to travel in the summer. I have vowed and declared that this is the last summer trip I will take.

We walked up Roturmstraße to Stephansplatz where St. Stephens Cathedral dominates the platz. It was built from 1300-1450 and is remarkable for the colorful roof tiles and the ornate towers. Since we were here in 2009, the central aisle and altar area have been corded off. One still appreciates the splendor of the church, but just not close up unless you want to pay.

From Stephansplatz we continued parallel to the main shopping street Kärtner Straße. It was less sunny and crowded on that street. We passed the Capuchin Church with the tombs of the Hapsburg family, emperors, and empresses.

In the middle of the pedestrian zone around Dorotheergaße, there is the Holy Trinity plague column. 60 feet tall, the column is covered with angels, cherubs, and the Holy Trinity. It was Leopold I who begged God to spare the city of more plague victims in 1679. When the city was saved, he vowed to erect the monument.

We came to Albertinaplatz and the sculpture entitled Monument against War and Fascism. There are actually 4 parts to the sculpture, The Gates of Violence (the two white pieces), depictions of a concentration camp, Orpheus entering the underworld. It was on this spot that a bomb hit Vienna in WWII and several hundred people were killed in a shelter in which they were hiding.

From there we headed to the Staatsopera. GCT had arranged for a coffee break at the Opera Cafe at 11:00. It was a nice touch, but the cafe was hot and the coffee with a little but of froth.

We then saw the famous Hotel Sacher, home of the legendary Sacher Torte - a chocolate cake that has apricot marmalade between layers.

We then turned toward the Hofbrug Palace - the winter home of the Hapsburgs. This complex is huge and includes many museums, the Spanish Riding School (horses were already on summer vacation, and the Imperial apartments. We had to make a decision as to what to do in our free time and since the apartments weren't air conditioned, we opted for some other choices.

We walked back through the park where the Mozart statue was and back toward the Opera House.

We stopped at a sausage stand for the "best sausage" in Vienna. It was good and served in the cylindrical bun.

Just around the corner was the Opera House and we decided that we would take a tour. It was well worth it to see the beauty of it. There were tour groups in every language and that was welcomed. The emperor's box was off limits, but it was visible from the first level of the auditorium.

Then back across the street to the Sacher Hotel Cafe where we had to try the Sacher Torte and some liquid refreshment.

Following Rick Steves' Vienna walk we made our way back to the Capuchin Church and the tombs of the emperors. The Hapsburg family extended into every country in Europe and the lives of some some like Marie Antoinette and Elizabeth, (Cissi) were tragic to say the least.

Then it was back to St. Stephens Church for a trip to the top of the North Tower. The views were amazing. With my camera, I zoomed in on the Riesenrad in the Prater amusement park. You can actually see people. The tile is more impressive up close.

We headed to Schwendenplatz to meet our 4:45 coach. A quick change of clothes on the ship and then an early dinner. It was a clear consomme of beef, Tafelspitz (beef with horseradish sauces and spinach), and a chocolate cake covered in chocolate sauce. I got talking and forgot the picture of the beef. Guess it also is due to the fact that wine flows freely.

Then an evening excursion to the Kursalon for Musical Vienna. The music, mostly Strauss and some Mozart was wonderful as were the soloists and ballet dancers. The hall was beautiful, but steaming hot. At least they gave us champagne at intermission.

Back to the ship about 11 and definitely time for bed. Just about 7 miles walked today.

Linz to Melk - Tuesday, 28 June 2016

We woke up this morning in Melk, Austria. Our ship had left Linz at midnight and we sailed through the night. I heard us dock about 5:30, but went back to sleep since we didn't have to be out and about so early. It was nice to get a few extra minutes of sleep.

At 10:00 we left for Melk Abbey. When I think of old abbeys, I think of austere, cold, and dark places. WRONG! This place was over the top Baroque from the get go. They had an exhibit that traced the Benedictine order's life here from the early 12th century to the present day. Originally built as a fortress, the first monks arrived at the abbey in 1089. The abbey is said to contain a piece of the cross and the remains of St. Koloman. Throughout the tour, Monika, our local guide pointed out artifacts from the history of the abbey.

The view from one of the balconies was spectacular. ( I am running out of superlatives and adjectives to describe what we are seeing.

Perhaps the most impressive room was the library with its collection 100,000 volumes and 1800 manuscripts. Unfortunately, previous visitors couldn't obey the rules about no flashes, and we weren't allowed any pictures.

The sanctuary is just over the top with gold, but beautiful.

We went back to the ship around noon and had a delicious lunch. It was a Grießnockerlsuppe, Country Sandwich (a whole wheat baguette with bacon, onions, tomatoes, and gratinated cheese), and Donauwelle ( a cherry sponge cake).

Then we set sail through the lush green Wachau Valley. It was just breathtaking and provide views of castles, vineyards and villages with their churches. Along the way it was time for a Bloody Mary Bar!

About 4:00 we docked in Dürnstein, a charming village on the Donau and took a walk into the town. There were so many shops selling apricot flavored "you name it." There was liquer, "rabbit shit," a kind of chocolate that looks like little turds, which has a drop of the apricot in the melody.

One of the most interesting places was the cemetery with its gorgeous flowers and ostuary. Not nearly as big as the catacombs in Paris, the collection of bones was impressive.

Back to the boat to get ready for the Inner Circle party - champagne, canapés, and a free drink - make mine a piña colada. Then dinner that was based on movie star themes. The waiters were all in sparkling vests and in a jolly mood. We have a waiter who delights in taking care of us and always takes us to his tables.  Dinner tonight was a shrimp and apple cocktail (I started eating before taking the picture), Corn chowder with Virginia Ham and honey, and tiramisu for dessert.

During dinner as we were sailing, castles and hills made amazing photos.

After dinner we went up to the sun deck (make that moon) to watch the sunset. Just a bit later we started going through a lock. I have never been through one where the ships are side by side instead of front to back. It took nearly a half hour to go through.

Time to call it a night.