Our musical interlude in Salzburg, Osterreich - Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg, Austria
Up early, walk to Schliersee Bahn, to catch the Munchen Bahnhofstrasse train to Holzkircken and then a change to Rosenheim to ultimately catch the very fast train to Salzburg in Austria. The total trip was to take just over 100 minutes with a lot of this time spent waiting for connections.
Our Munchen Hahnbanhof trip was full and mostly with people in national dress on their way to the Oktoberfest. Although generally quiet, the train had a sense of pending excitement. This I can understand having experienced one of the best days I have had since we retired and started travelling. Perhaps a big call, but I feel the others would support this rather bold statement. The Germans certainly know how to "do it". I hope they all have a day like we did.
Again, weather wise, crisp morning with low over hanging cloud, with changes happening every few minutes: ranging from it looking like pending rain, to the clouds lifting and the weather clearing. Dumkoph !! You're in an alpine area so expect there to be rapid changes.
Our trip to Holzkircken is only 23 minutes with just a few stops to negotiate. We noticed from yesterday's trip that not far beyond our change point, the stops become wider apart..... Somewhat an express train with very quick line and acceleration speeds for the locals to get to Munchen. The trains are very clean, new and house a great deal of information sources. As well as charging portals to charge devices like tablets.. Upcoming train times, expected time of arrival, to the minute and adjusted if necessary. Connecting trains and at major junctions, English is offered to assist the traveller. All space inside the carriages have seating arranged in the different formats, patterns. Travelling to this point had not been an issue for us, provided you spent a little time researching what, where etc. Our Meridian train trip was onto a new train, with upgraded facilities. Again, I'm jealous, Australia lagging in this aspect of travel rather drastically.
Holzkircken to Rosenheim, was a smooth trip and rather fast speeds along and through pine forests. This appears a major industry of the area. Along with free range birds, such as duck, goose and chicken. Poultry meats are a very common selection on menus. Stopping at some 9 stations (there's that number again). Each of these being rather small and passengers need to be in the correct carriage to be able to exit the train. Many not realising this, needing to undertake a quick sprint inside the carriage to the appropriate door exit. This was noticeably minimised after the remaining passengers were offered a few sprint techniques by "you know who" !!!. Just doing my duty to assist the locals in the spirit of international harmony. The closer we moved toward Rosenheim, the larger the centres became. Again, the countryside was picturesque, well maintained and rather "refreshing".
A quick change and onto Salzburg. Salzburg has a motto of "in the heart of Europe between tradition and renewal". This is reflected in the structure and appearance of the city. A distinct old section (which dates well back into Roman Empire eras and the newer parts, with modern architecture etc. Obviously, the older sections were to be our focus. Should you not know, it dates back to about 700AD and after a series of "owners' became a city in about the early 1800s. It is the city that Mozart was born in (we actually visited this) and still remains a city with a rather musical tradition. Indeed a major international musical conference was being held when we visited. How did they know that we were to visit? It's good to see that they were all keyed up for our visit. Salzburg is also famous for the von Trapp Family and the Sound of Music. Many tour companies line up for your business to take you to the hills where Julie Andrews sings a few songs. People actually pay good money to go and stand on these hills. Still, the tourist cravings need to be satisfied. Unfortunately, Julie had to do without our blessings. We had other things to do.
We walked the major strabes and gasses in the old city areas along with a short sampling of some cream horns and "matchsticks" from an Austrian cake stall; pure heaven. Some of us managed to miss our mouths with the the resultant cream splashed far and wide over the face. Still this was rectified with a good lick and a wipe with the back of Slim's T-shirt. Something he didn't appreciate. I can't understand why he was so upset !! Like in Germany, the Austrians are incessant bike riders with dedicated lanes all through the city (Schmitt-geschwindigkeit).
We then decided to proceed to the foot of the impressive mountain that shadows Salzburg and to take the impressive cable car up to the Festung Hohensalzburg. I found this a rather "uplifting experience". This fortress dates back to the 11th century and was designed as a self contained city. It is obviously large and provided us with lunch. Another Austrian meal of sausage, sauerkraut etc. A beer or two also found the Parno oesophagus. The Arbeitshaus (Mozart Cafe) provided a good meal: we were happy chappies. In keeping with the musical tradition, the locals had their own version of the Oktoberfest with a brass band pumping out music in competition with the nearby Bee Gees music being sounded out rather loudly.
Typical nuances of the city that my rather acute senses detected, included;
1. Constant church bell tolling - a rather strange sound for me, but one which was very welcomed. it suited the scene
2. The narrow medieval (Roman) streets were rather unique. Some housing buildings of many centuries.
3. The transport system of environmentally friendly buses, light rail and trolley cars, all created a rather clean feeling about the city for the some 150 thousand people
4. That I would not like to be a taxi driver, as having to deal with names like Sigmund Haffnergasse and Getreidgasse would indeed drive me crazy. Real tongue twisters.
Travelling back on the train, while gazing out at the manicured paddocks with the Alps in the background I undertook some deep cranial contemplation. I pondered the experiences of the past few days and came to question how international travel for the Europeans in just as common as the cold. I still have trouble with the concept of just hopping on a train and in a short time, you are in another country; all in just a couple of hours. The Europeans seem to just accept this as normal !! Looking at internal airfares, I see now how Europeans can just "go to Spain for the weekend". Also with the exchange rates as they are currently, the euro and the pound, make a strong case for extensive travel. No wonder the airports are so big; international travel is just like taking a walk in the park.
Auf weidersehen und wir sehen uns spater mate.