New Year's in Salzburg

So, we decided to spend New Year's Eve in Salzburg to watch the fireworks over the castle.  It was bitterly cold and people were shooting amateur fireworks all around us; which I hate.  

We took the train and met up with my American friend, Kristen.  No amount of gleuwein could warm me up!  ugh.  So we ducked into a cafe shortly after midnight and hung out there before heading back into Germany.

My pictures didn't come out so good and I seemed to have lost them anyway.  Oh well.  Here are a couple of pics I found on the internet that are similar to ones I took.

A few days later, I had to head back to the UAE.  Little did I know, this would be the last time Thomas and I would embrace as he broke up with me a few weeks after this.  I am devastated and heartbroken.

At least I had a nice flight home.  Definition of awesome: Unknowingly getting bumped to business class from Dusseldorf to Abu Dhabi flight, glass of champagne and magazine featuring David Bowie before the flight even takes off, fast track thru immigration and bag coming right out on conveyor belt as you approach! "Cause somewhere in my youth our childhood...I must have done something goooood!" ~Sound of Music

First class and David Bowie; what could be better?

Let's See Mondsee

In case you haven't noticed, I love Salzburg.  It was a beautiful day for just strolling around the city considering I've been there half a dozen times and seen most of the sites.  Thomas was sweet enough to drive over and pick me up after he got off work and took me over to the town of Mondsee or Moon Lake, aptly named because of its lake's crescent moon shape.  Mondsee is only about a 20 minute drive from Salzburg.

My favorite view of the Salzburg Fortress.

Schloss Leopoldscron

Another view of Salzburg from the hilltop at Nonnberg Abbey.

Nonnberg Abbey is a Benedictine monastery.  It was founded ca. 714 by St. Rupert of Salzburg and is the oldest women's religious house in the German-speaking world.   Its most famous postulant was Maria Augusta Kutschera...who later became Maria von Trapp of Sound of Music fame.

Yet another view of Salzburg.

St. Michael Church of Mondsee Abbey built by Odlio, Duke of Bavaria, around 748. It was used in the filming of the wedding scene for The Sound of Music.

Thomas and I enjoying an evening at Mondsee or Moon Lake.

The beautiful Baroque interior of St. Michael Church of Mondsee Abbey was warm and inviting.

A dock on Mondsee surrounded by the Alps.

There happened to be a free concert by a youth orchestra from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA when we arrived.

Salzburg Fortress from Mozart Footbridge.  Also featured in The Sound of Music.

Hellbrunn's Trick Fountains

It was a beautiful day, so I ended up taking the train back out to Salzburg.  I've been dying to do an official Sound of Music tour.  There is a "Fraulein Maria" bicycle tour I'd love to go on, but it is late in the afternoon.  Instead, I chose the "Hop On Hop Off" tour, thanks to a cool American tour guide I met named Kristin, because I can get on and off the bus wherever I want all day.

I've seen most of the sights, and I've been to Hellbrunn, but I hadn't seen the trick fountains (wasserspiele).

The oldest parts of these fountains were built for Prince Archbishop Markus Sittikus in 1613.  The fountains comprise of several grottos, ponds and little houses where fountains emerge in unexpected locations and various mechanical gimmicks are operated by the kinetic energy of water.  The layout was inspired by the villa of the Roman Emperor Nero.

Hellbrunn Palace...again

The main theater area of the trick fountains.

I think I'm being followed.

This stone table has one seat for the Prince Archbishop and a set of chairs for guests.  It was custom that nobody at the table was allowed to get up until the Prince Archbishop had finished his meal and indicated his permission to withdraw.  The bishop could trigger the fountains hidden in the chairs of his guests and enjoy watching them get soaked while he remained dry in front of his meal.  In case they would run away, there were additional fountains hidden further away from the table.

 The sections following the theater and the table are ponds and grottos with tritons and depictions of Bacchus. Water and wine were the driving forces for good nights at the trick fountains. 

The mechanical theater was built in the mid-18th century and compromises of a model of the nearby Schloss Emsburg and 100 wooden models of artisans that move, twist and turn - all powered by water and a sophisticated machinery, similar to clockwork.  since the machinery is a bit noisy, there is an automatic organ that plays music to distract from the fact that this is a machine.

 Next, was the Mydas-Grotto or "Crown Grotto".  At the center is a well that has a golden crown on top.  When the water is turned on, the crown is squirted to the ceiling.

Last, we ran through the last set of fountains and were assured we wouldn't get wet.  We didn't until we got to the end were we were greeted by a squirt right on the chest by one more trick fountain.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Today I decided to head back over to Salzburg and finally head up the hill to the Hohensalzburg Fortress.  This is a self-portriat I took from the top.

The fortress is the largest and best preseved citadel in Europe.  The construction was started in 1077.  Up to the 17th century it was constantly being enlarged and fortified with towers, bastions, walls and entrenchments.  

I call this the gold ball, but it is actually a sculpture entitled “Sphaera” created by artist Stephan Balkenhol in 2007 for the Salzburg Foundation.

A view of the gold ball below as I ascend the path on my way up to the fortress.

"The World of Marionettes" is a small and creepy puppet museum inside the fortress.

Nice toilet.

Yes, this is a chastity belt with a nice heart-shaped poop hole in the back.

Ornate door inside the fortress.

A view of the courtyard of the fortress with a big, dead tree.

Chapel in the courtyard.

Gaisburg mountain in the distance.

The fortress on my way back down the hill.

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

Monkeys In Your Face!

Another beautiful day and another trip to Austria. Today we went to the Salzburg Zoo. But I just wanna know one thing! So, we went in this "monkey room" and I assumed the monkeys were behind wire or glass or something. Hell NO! They just run around the room able to scratch your eyes out if they feel like it! That would never be allowed in America. (You'' be hearing more of that phrase soon, I'm sure.) Now I'm not saying it's 100% a bad thing. I think we are way too cautious and over-regulated about certain things. But monkeys in your face? Not sure if it's a great idea!

Monkeys in your face!

"I have confidence in ME!" The zoo is next door to where the "I Have Confidence" number from The Sound of Music was filmed.

Cute alpaca.

Hola!

Kisses!

After the zoo, we headed up to Gaisberg Mountain which lies just east of Salzburg and is part of the Limestone Alps. It is about 1,288m (4,226ft) high. It appears to be a popular place for hanging out or paragliding or parasailing. It's easy to spot because it has a massive t.v. antenna on top of it.

Paragliding.

Parasailing.

Might as well...JUMP!