MELK, AUSTRIA AND CRUISING THROUGH THE WACHAU VALLE
MELK, AUSTRIA AND CRUISING THROUGH THE WACHAU VALLEY
We docked early this morning in Melk and are to visit the "Magnificent Baroque Abbey of Melk". We have free time until we depart for a cruise through the Wachau Valley en route to Vienna. The Valley is considered to be one of the most picturesque areas along the Danube and is a prime wine growing area.
At 5:00 pm we are scheduled to leave for Vienna by bus in all our finery for a "Sparkling" Event at the Palais Ferstel for dinner and a show of Viennese Musical Traditions. It is supposed to be the highlight of this trip but we are not too sure about it. The menu doesn't appeal and neither of us likes the feeling of being trapped for 5 hours if we are not enjoying ourselves.
The Abbey Museum tour was a little boring - but we did learn that 30 monks reside there and that a school of 900 pupils occupies much of the building. The exception was the Church - Baroque in the extreme. The amount of gold used to decorate it was astounding and, frankly, a little obscene. The only saving grace, if there is one, is that we wouldn't be able to see the craftsmanship and artistry if there hadn't been the money to pay for them. We walked back to the boat and napped until lunch.
We spent time on the upper deck while we sailed through the Wachau Valley and enjoyed some nibbles - specialities of the region. Then it was time for another nap before getting dressed for dinner.
We had an hour's bus ride to Vienna and both of us find the air-conditioning set too low and it's draughty. Norma came up with the brilliant idea of taking the blankets stored in wooden boxes on the Sun Deck with us. They were a godsend.
We arrived at the Palais Ferstel - a former bank building for dinner. In the reception area we were served sparkling wine and hors d'ouevres before going into the main dining hall. I felt like I was eating in the lobby of the main branch of the Bank of Montreal in Ottawa where I worked many years ago. I had imagined crystal chandeliers and silk fabric walls. Between courses we were entertained by a Quintet, four opera singers and two dancers in a show of Viennese Musical Traditons.
A bus took us back to the ship and more Viennese treats - chocolates and a chocolate liquor.
It was still 28 degrees C at 10 at night. Tomorrow, predictions are in the high 30s.
We docked early this morning in Melk and are to visit the "Magnificent Baroque Abbey of Melk". We have free time until we depart for a cruise through the Wachau Valley en route to Vienna. The Valley is considered to be one of the most picturesque areas along the Danube and is a prime wine growing area.
At 5:00 pm we are scheduled to leave for Vienna by bus in all our finery for a "Sparkling" Event at the Palais Ferstel for dinner and a show of Viennese Musical Traditions. It is supposed to be the highlight of this trip but we are not too sure about it. The menu doesn't appeal and neither of us likes the feeling of being trapped for 5 hours if we are not enjoying ourselves.
The Abbey Museum tour was a little boring - but we did learn that 30 monks reside there and that a school of 900 pupils occupies much of the building. The exception was the Church - Baroque in the extreme. The amount of gold used to decorate it was astounding and, frankly, a little obscene. The only saving grace, if there is one, is that we wouldn't be able to see the craftsmanship and artistry if there hadn't been the money to pay for them. We walked back to the boat and napped until lunch.
We spent time on the upper deck while we sailed through the Wachau Valley and enjoyed some nibbles - specialities of the region. Then it was time for another nap before getting dressed for dinner.
We had an hour's bus ride to Vienna and both of us find the air-conditioning set too low and it's draughty. Norma came up with the brilliant idea of taking the blankets stored in wooden boxes on the Sun Deck with us. They were a godsend.
We arrived at the Palais Ferstel - a former bank building for dinner. In the reception area we were served sparkling wine and hors d'ouevres before going into the main dining hall. I felt like I was eating in the lobby of the main branch of the Bank of Montreal in Ottawa where I worked many years ago. I had imagined crystal chandeliers and silk fabric walls. Between courses we were entertained by a Quintet, four opera singers and two dancers in a show of Viennese Musical Traditons.
A bus took us back to the ship and more Viennese treats - chocolates and a chocolate liquor.
It was still 28 degrees C at 10 at night. Tomorrow, predictions are in the high 30s.
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