Wednesday, April 17, 2019
We got up around 6:30 am. We have a tour and boat ride on the Danube. We had to meet the group at the State Opera House by 8:50 am. We ate breakfast and went to the subway to get our new passes. We thought if we took the Ring Road it would be easier. Well, I was wrong. First, we took the wrong tram. We quickly discovered it and got off and back on the correct one. But it was rush hour and it was slow. We got off and took the subway. We arrived in time.
We had a double decker bus and soon discovered 74 people were taken the tour. Our guide spoke first in English, then in Spanish and finally in German every time he had an announcement. We left promptly at 9 am and headed to Durnstein, Austria about an hour and fifteen minutes away. We got there as scheduled. We stopped for a toilet break and time to just walk around a little. The town was a short walk away but he kept stressing we had to leave at 11:10 am promptly and only the fittest should hike into town.
We looked at the long boats that were docked here. They go up and down the Danube and you see ads for them all the time. We decided we would probably not do well on these vessels for a long journey. We bought some local black cherry preserves from a lady who has an orchard and winery. Wine vines were all over and growing up trellised mountain hills.
We all got on the bus and headed down the road to board our boat. We passed it on the way. We got to the landing about five miles or so up the river. The boat came and we all boarded. We were to spend about and hour and a half or so on the boat. It was around 11:30 am. We decided to go to the second floor and order lunch. Most of the people went upstairs and sat outside. It was chilly, around 52 to 53 degrees with a strong wind.
We got the Captain’s Price Fixed meal of a green salad with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers; the stuffed chicken with rice and green beans and a fruit cup with cottage cheese. A glass of white wine came with it all for around 15 Euros. It was very good. We then got an apricot ice cream sundae. While we were eating, we could see very well the sites and the buildings on either side of the boat. Announcements were made in German and English as to what to expect and what it was. We took pictures. We relaxed and watched.
We got off the boat at Melk (pronounced like MILK). A Benedictine monastery has been there since 1039. In the late 1600’s they decided to build a bigger and better building. It was dedicated in 1718 and rededicated in 1743 with the arrival of Empress Maria Theresa and her entourage, (She personally had 200 servants who took care of just her.). It was build in the baroque style of architecture with all the flourishes and gold leaf trim everywhere. An Imperial wing was built into the building for the Royals who visited and for important guests.
A huge library was built containing thousands of priceless books relating to religion, philosophy, math, science, the arts and so forth. The chapel is huge with a cathedral like atmosphere and gold leaf on most everything.
The monastery was further developed to allow “thinkers and philosophers” the atmosphere and location to use God’s help in their deliberations. A private school was started with strict entrance requirements but the cost was and still is underwritten by the state except for a small part. It is an honor to be accepted here from ages 10 through 18.
There are gardens as part of the monastery and we went over there first. We stopped in the entrance building that has a domed painted inner structure. Some tulips were blooming but not many flowers yet. Trees are just budding leaves or the leaves have just started to come out.
We had to wait until the English tour started. Most people went to the cafe for lunch but we had eaten, thus going to the Garden area. The English group was the largest and we were divided into two parts. No pictures were allowed inside and I bought a book about it at the end of the tour.
The bus left at 4:30 pm and we were there on time as everyone else was too. It is difficult to heard 74 people with all languages and have them be on time. We drove straight back to Vienna, arriving at 5:50 pm. We were back at the State Opera House. We took the subway and were in our apartment by 6:15 pm. We washed clothes and had tea. Meredith texted she would be coming over and we decided to wait about supper until she got here.
Meredith asked if we would do the boat trip again or something like it. I think that renting a car and driving up to Melk and stopping at some wineries would be better. You could take your time and see what intrigued you along the way better. The tour was good but I got tired of the guide saying something and then hearing two other translations all the time. On the way up he talked all the time. I found that distracting and irritating.
We went out around the block for dinner. It was a restaurant that Justin had strongly recommended. Griechenbeisl is the name, it has been in business since 1447. We ordered the smoked duck breast with macadamia nuts and Apple salad (the apple was very finely shredded) that was excellent. We also ordered a composition of spring salad with baby mozzarella don wild garlic pesto which was good. We got classic veal Wiener Schnitzel with potato-field salad which was also excellent. I got a large Pilsner beer as well. Justin told us to get cranberries with the Wiener schnitzel. The food was great. A woman was playing live music on a dulcimer . We were seated promptly. Many English speaking people were there. I would recommend eating here.
