Austria - Julian Alps and Sound of Music SOM

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Good morning valuebuddies, 
Day 14 and we wake up in the cool city of Salzburg.
A lot of people would assume that Salzburg is the Capital for Austria, well, it's not. 

Salzburg city center is a UNESCO and this (Mid Dec) is the best time to roam around the Christmas market. Lots of local food for tasting,  Apple strudel, special Christmas liquor. Basically, it's a feast heaven.

Of course, if you get tired of all the good food, then you could also tekkan the Indian restaurants or even grab a wrap in McDonald for breakfast.

If you're visiting Salzburg, then you must go the the Mozart Museum, actually not a Museum but like his (Wolfgang Amadé Mozart) birth place.
It's right in the city center and so just pop in when you are there.

For those valuebuddies who love building architecture, then this would be your top choice to see a Baroque style church - again, inside the old town.



 
A lot of photo is taking at the following Salzburg Cathedral.



Inside:


Back to the city square, looking at Salzburg Castle:


And the exactly opposite view, looking down from the Castle into the old town:


Gratitude.

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Good morning valuebuddies,
Again waking up to a  bright sunshine with birds chirping in the woods.

What a beautiful day 

The first time when I went to Salzburg, I did not book my accommodation. 

I strolled into the city center and looking for i.  That was a time that I was really adventurous. 

Later, I managed to get a simple place to stay for the night - at a monetary hostel near by.

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Today is going to be a busy day.
First, I would go for a river cruise, then take a bus to a garden well known for its mischievous, and then take a gondola up a 5000 ft mountain top, and finally, visit Salzburg towering castle.

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1) River cruise - a relaxing trip out of city... into a serenity forest. sitting at the edge of the boat, nothing in the world is important any more. The boat was cruising against the river flow, isn't it the same as our life? I recently read that fish will need to swim against the river aka upstream, otherwise, all of them will be sweep into the sea.

2) Garden  - this fountain garden is second to none. Erh, may be slight correction... comparable to Peterhof gardens in Russia.
Have fun watching a 2 mins video and immerse in the festive mood:


3) 5000 ft mountain is called Untersberg.  When I was there in Summer time, I was wearing T-Shirt and shorts.  There should be a walking trek on top of Untersberg and I could spend some time walking around and enjoy the high altitude clean air.  
However, the reality was when I step out of the gondolas, the entire place was covered with snow... powdery white snow.  There was only light winds and the temperature is bearable (with T-Shirts and shorts).  I walked outside to the edge of the mountain and then stepping on the thick powdery snow toward the mountain peak (you can see in the below picture).  Less than 100m walk, I give up.  It's really a winter wonderland and I am worried that I am seriously underdressed.  I found a bench and sat there - trying to relax and enjoy my life.  I leaned backed and look behind the bench.  And, I couldn't resist the temptation and pick up a small ball of snow (behind the bench) and put it into my mouth 



4) Salzburg castle - this is right at the city center and a must visit for anyone in Salzburg.  A serenity feeling raised as I pearched on the high ground at the corner of the castle and looking out of the city.
I thanks god that the world is so beautiful.

Enjoy:



I really wanted to thanks all valuebuddies for helping me all these years.  Your help had enabled me to do what I wanted all these years too.  Thank you very much for reading.

Gratitude!

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Good morning Valuebuddies.
Happy New Year and wish everyone a fun and fruitful year ahead 

In another trip, it was Nov and I thought I could catch a snow (snow fall) but had not been able to.

It was the 2nd last day of having a car aka I would need to return my car tomorrow evening in Munich and I was in Salzburg.

The driving trip was about 12 days and the temperature had not fallen to below zero and I was in Salzburg hotel - about 10pm before going to bed.  Feeling a bit loss - as if mission not accomplished 

Then, an idea came.  I quickly googled for location of previous year with first snow fall recorded in Germany and Austria boarder. 

After about 10 mins searched, I found a place which I need to do a 10mins detour up the alps and decided to try my luck. 


The next day, I went according to plan and was delighted to find some traces of snow on the floor.  

The weather was cold and I took out my coke bottle and put it on top of my car.  



Then, a cloud come in.  A bit misty and foggy coming in from opposite direction from the lake.  A bit more misty and foggy... and a bit more.... 

I walked back towards a valley about 100m upslope and the view was stunning - what you think?



So many alpines, so green. 

My hope for seeing snow turns into zero.

Thou what I felt great was the air was fresh and crisp. I just take a few deep breath before bidding farewell from the Alps.

No choice, this is the last day with car and can't afford to spend too much time here because last night, when I read the news of first snow, there was reports that some snow as so heavy that the pass between Germany and Austria was closed for the night.

I better get going.

When I return to my car, I stared opposite the lake again.  

The mist and fog looks worst.  It's like a heavy white curtains blanket over the entire lake.

And then suddenly, it snow 

It's neither mist nor fog... it's snow. 

I picked up my bottle of coke left on the top of my car and strolled near the lake.

I'm so lucky ... I told myself to be grateful.

My dear Valuebuddies. Thanks for reading my stories. 

Gratitude!


Enjoy: The Sound of Silence