Beautiful Salzburg

Love locks on the bridge.

I love Salzburg. It's such a beautiful city. I actually made 3 trips this week to walk around, hang out and enjoy the beautiful weather. It's only a short 30 minute train ride from Traunstein. I spent most of my time this week walking around the Altstadt or the Old Town.

The Hohensalzburg Fortress up on the hill.

Walking through old town.

 Residenzbrunnen (Residence Fountain) created by Italian sculptor Tommaso di Garona in 1661.  It is said to be the largest and most beautiful Baroque fountain outside of Italy.

Playing Chess!

Make your move!

Horses waiting for riders at the square with Franziskanerkirche (Franciscan Church) in the background.

A view on the way up to the fortress.

Flower Market

Kloster Baumburg

It was a sunny but brisk day in Germany. Thomas and I decided to pay a visit to Kloster Baumburg (which literally translates to "monastery tree castle") high up on a hill, which we had driven past many times before here in Traunstein. It was built around the year 1107.

Kloster Baumburg as seen from the main road.

The monastery church, St Margaret.

In 1755, the church was redone in the style of Rococo with stucco and frescoes.

Other buildings on the grounds and a small pond.

Spring has sprung.

Like most monasteries, it even has its own brewery.

View from the back.

Back to Deutchland

Well, I managed to get a week off for spring break and headed back over to Germany. It was another short trip so I didn't do too much except take the train to Salzburg most days and hang out there.

I made my way back to Traunstein to stay again. Thomas and I made our way to the grocery store to stock up on some food for the week.

As we were walking down the street, we happened upon this gem: a circa 1983 Mercury Marquis classic sheriff's car from Broward County Florida. I have no clue how it got here.


We reached the grocery store and there stood a Jägermeister stand. Why not? Free shots of Jäger while shopping? They say it's good for the digestion. No really! It was originally developed as a cough remedy and as an aid to digestion. Its ingredients include 56 herbs, fruits, roots and spices. Among them are citrus peel, licorice, anise, poppy seeds, saffron, ginger, juniper berries, and ginseng. No, it does not contain deer or elk blood.

Ahhhh...only in Germany!


The weather was beautiful for most of the week. Here we are walking through the town center with St. Oswald's church in the distance at sunset.

Hilton Hotel 40th Anniversary Party!

I was feeling pretty hungry so I thought I'd head over to the Hilton Hotel to use one of my free dinner vouchers. I noticed a red carpet leading out to the pool area. Usually there is a weeding or some other function going on, so I didn't think much of it. A few minutes later, one of the security guards that I know said, "Where are you going?" I replied, "I'm going to get something to eat. He said, "There is a party outside, go out there!"

I went out and sure enough it was the Hilton Hotel's 40th anniversary party.

The Hilton Hotel was originally built 40 years ago by a sheikh for a wedding. The structure is the tallest in Al Ain and there is a city ordinance prohibiting ay other buildings to be taller than the hotel.

I saw some German friends of mine and they told me they didn't know anything about the party. They just happened to be there and saw it. Same with me. We are all members of the Hilton, but it seems that just VIPs were invited. Whatever.

Free food and free drinks anyway. Woo hoo!

Huge ice sculpture.

The Indian food kiosk. The guy made bread at the top and would slide it down.

40th anniversary spotlight on the hotel.

The Asian food kiosk.

Can you guess which food kiosk this was? Yes, Italian!

Win a new Mercedes!

The Mexican food kiosk. Why is there a giant guitar?

Weekend in Dubai

It was a weekend in Dubai for both business and pleasure. A couple of my friends and I spent the weekend eating and shopping. A lot.

There are two things I hate about Dubai. The first thing is that a night out is really expensive. The second thing, is the driving. It is a planned city, yet none of the roads make any sense. If it looks like a road branches off to the left, you can bet it will then curve to the right. I kid you not, we spent over an hour being lost every time we went somewhere. Well, not exactly lost, just unable to get to our destination.

A huge aquarium in the world's largest mall, Dubai Mall. This aquarium holds the Guinness World Record for the world's "Largest Acrylic Panel."

Strange waterfall in Dubai Mall.

Mmmmm...pork.

Feeling patriotic?

We had a great dinner at a Thai restaurant right next to the Burj Khalifa and its fountains.

Burj Khalifa and the fountain show.

Raffles Mall with it's Egyptian theme.

Stained-glass ceiling inside the souk area.

Festival City Mall with it's moat and motorized boats you can drive around.

Lunch at the Burj Khalifa

The fountain show playing my favorite Italian aria, "O Mio Babbino Caro".