Trip Day 12 - on the Donau - Melk

Monday

Not quite sure when the ship left Vienna but we were still going all morning. We woke up to look at the wall in this lock.

We had a leasurely breakfast (OMG) and then the alarm was given. The captain announced right away that this was NOT a real one but a drill. He also said that in this country it was not mandatory for river ships but OAT likes to do it anyway for the safety of their guests.

The weather got good enough to even be on the top deck and it was marvelous. Bernie was the one who was the commentator. We were in the Wachau Valley. The map in the lobby listed landmarks:

The Krems Gate

Göttwieg Abbey

Dürnstein Castle

Dürnstein Abbey

Fortified Church St. Michsei

Thousand Bucket Mountain

Hinterhaus Ruin

Venus of Willendorf

Aggstein Castle

Monastery & Castle Schönbuhel

Melk Abbey

This is Dürnstein.

This next picture has a statue of a horse and rider. It took me forever to find it but I managed to get it into the photo ... on the very right on the edge of the road. 

Spitz?

To be honest, I am not sure which picture corresponds to what name. It is not really that important to me. All I can say that it was very lovely.

And so was lunch. The menu said "Falscher Hase" which my family always called it. That name "Wrong Rabbit" most call "meatloaf". It was actually very good and the dessert Sacher Torte which is very famous was actually better than the copywrited in Vienna we had 10 years ago.

We arrived in Melk about 2:30 pm. Buses were waiting and we were taken to the Abbey on top of the hill (or mountain?). I think it took only 10 minutes so it wasn't very high.

From the parkinglot we walked to the Abbey.

The inside courtyard. 

 Once we were inside we were told photography was not allowed. And they were very stricked about it. 

We saw a lot of baroque over-the-top architecture. Everything was very rich looking but we could not take any photos. When we stepped on a terrace the view was breathtaking. 

It was lovely.

Somewhere is our ship.

After we were in the library with books 400 years old or older and some even hand written  we went into the chapel. Our guide turned her back on us and we took a few photos. But to be honest, the photos don't explain anything. It truly is something you need to see to believe. 

On the way out were big posters and such and I took a couple of photos of that. 

When we were outside we saw Bernie again. He had told us that we could walk back to the ship if we wanted to do so. He gaves us instructions again and we went off. 

Looking back!

Walking through the little town. The shops were closing. Stall (Christmas Market?) were not open.

We found the road we needed to cross ...

... and the foot bridge over some water.

I think this is my favorite photo of the day!

After we had walked through the woods to the other side of the island we wondered whether to go left or right. It was quite dark there and we did not see the ship. Ha-ha, I decided to use the "find me" feature again on my smart phone and singled in on our luggage (since I didn't have an address of where the ship was). It worked like a charm. 

Yup, and there it was. I used the flashlight on my phone to see the walk way.

There was a captain's reception and the introduction of all the crew.

Dinner was even more oppulent then normal. I think there might have been 7 courses. I didn't take photos of everything. And when I sometimes do I can't put all in the blog.

After dinner the "ugly sweater contest" started and some other entertainment and dancing. It was a lot of fun. This guy in his outfit is one of the 4 trip leaders. 

Some people were very inventive and some really hilarious. 

When we went back to our cabin we found these on our pillows. Always something when the beds are turned down. 

Yes, this was a very nice day again, indeed it was. James and I have not booked tomorrow's "Optional Tour" so we could sleep in a little. Night night!