Danube- Melk

The sailing away from Passau was spectacular, especially perched on the sun deck of our boat! And yes, when the Danube met with the Inn river, the water smacked together, then swirleded in blue and clay designs as they collided before our eyes! The Danube doesn't really look blue right now, but it sure did next to the clay waters of the Inn before they mingled into one color.   Got some fabulous photos and movies as we looked back on the lovely town of Passau.

View of Melk from the Abbey.

No photos inside the Abbey, but lovely exterior!

The Abbey on the hill behind Frank.

This morning we awoke to another charming town called Melk.  Really only known for the Benedictine Abbey high on the hill above the town, we bussed up for a tour, then later walked down. The Abby is lovely, open courtyards, beautifully restored facades, and an astonishing number of painted marble & moulding.  One room looked like it had marble walls, but the guide assured us it was all made of plaster,then faux painted to look like the marble in the doorway.  That way they could decide on a color scheme later.  The library has some 100,000 books, all with incredible gold titles lined up sparking on the shelves. It was a funny mix of Baroque and contemporary art, one room had gypsum figures in various stages of running out of the wall, with different slides and color splashed on them and the walls.  Very cool. We walked back through a park - and what a good feeling to get some green tree smells in our nostrils again!



The ride through the Wachau Valley was better than any postcard you've ever seen.  The green rolling hills, the ancient ruins of castles nestled on the hilltops, the charming houses and small towns dotting the hills.  Lots of rows of grapes lined the hills, much like Italy. We were sitting on top on the sundeck relaxing in our chairs when another castle would appear on the horizon.  We all jumped up, ran to the front or the side of the boat and began snapping pictures.  The ride was spectacular and I'm sure we'll bore you with photos when we return.

We saw many of these wonderful castles.  

We also got a tour of the wheelhouse (the bridge). 3 different screens the captain can look at, one of only tan and dark brown shapes indicating the shore line. That's how they know how to steer at night. There are two small stations on either side if the bridge where more controls are when docking.  It looks like a giant computer Nintendo game.

 Had a demonstration of how to make the perfect apple strudel from the chef on the boat including his recipie! I will try to make some when we return! We also learned all about how to order coffee in one of the many coffee shops in Vienna. Can't ask for just coffee, must know the name like brown coffee or black.  One has cream, the other is black.  We will try as many as we can tomorrow!

After stuffing ourselves with apple strudel and coffee, we managed to drag ourselves to the Palace and Opera House after dinner.  Most went to a concert, but we ended the evening in the lounge, sipping goulash and watching the Olympics!  We even managed to find our way back home safely on the subway. More on Vienna tomorrow!