January 31 - Flying

We were up at 5:45 AM. We had complimentary breakfast due to Hilton Gold status, and the buffet was extensive and had "make-your-own" waffles and a chef cooking eggs to order, four or five kinds of juice, an array of bread, cheeses, meats, grains, yoghurts, and fruit. One of the better breakfasts we had over the two-month journey.

Terminal 1 was an easy walk from the hotel, but we were flying Delta - of course that was Terminal 2. We could have taken a shuttle or a sky train, but we had too much luggage, so had a bellman assist us to the taxi area and took a taxi about 7-minutes. The taxi drivers normally are not pleased with a fare of such duration since they have been waiting in a queue for a long time to snag a fare, so Ron tipped him 5 Euro immediately for loading all of the bags in the taxi, (before he told him Terminal 2) and then tipped him another 5 Euro when we exited. He seemed to be pleased with the extra 10 Euro.

We checked in, and Ron thought one of our four checked bags might be a "problem". It was close. The maximum allowed is 32-KG, and that particular bag was 31.5! The check in agent said that no matter what you paid ,the baggage handlers would leave any bag weighing more than 32 KG on the tarmac and would refuse to place it on the plane. We were relieved to see it in Atlanta!

Our luggage in hotel lobby

We headed to the Delta Sky Club and settled in for a couple hours.

We boarded and took off on time. Due to storms in the eastern US, we flew down over Michigan. It was a long 10-1/2 hour flight. Time to watch three movies, have two meals, and sleep in the lie-flat seats. There was turbulence in the Atlanta area, and the plane was bobbing all over the sky, but the touch-down was smooth. I heard one of the flight attendants comment, "Nice landing", and she later mentioned it on the public address. 

Whoever designed the new Atlanta international terminal should have their architectural license revoked. There is a 20-30 minute walk from the gate to the Immigration area. Ron had gone ahead of me to get into line, and I came across a golf cart and asked the driver if I could have a ride. Ron heard a cart beeping and thought to himself, "I bet Mary is in that cart." As we approached, I asked if he wanted a ride. Even after the driver deposited us at the elevators, we still had a long way to walk.

We collected our bags and were met by the driver we had arranged through a groupon coupon - a fabulous deal at $27, as limo to Braselton is generally around $150. About an hour drive to the house. Ron tipped the driver $20.00 as was suggested by Groupon. He seemed to be pleased with the $20.00 Everything seemed to be in order and our car started right up after two months sitting idle. Now to the humdrum tasks - unpacking, laundry, paperwork and taxes! Time to shed pounds gained from the many repasts enjoyed and photographed! Time to start planning for the next journeys - a short trip to Florida next week and two weeks in Red Lodge, Montanna early March. We are planning a trip into Yellowstone Lodge by snow cat!

January 30 - Stressful Day

We joined Pat and Mike, and had grits and "left-overs", and got on the road about 9:30 AM. We had decent weather to Munich, and dropped Pat and Mike at the Kempinski Hotel at Munich Airport. They got some pictures of our farewells, but where was my camera?

From Nurnberg on, it began to rain. We stopped for lunch at the Zehntkeller in Iphofen, another favorite stopping place near Kitzigen. Zehntkeller is another member of the Romantik Hotel group. We have stayed there numerous times. This is still Bavaria, but the region is called Franconia and is famous for the Franken wines such as Muller-Thurgau. Again, I didn't have my camera handy!

After lunch, the rain became much harder and the wind was fierce. Ron pulled off at an autobahn rest stop in hopes the weather would improve. After 30 minutes or so we thought it had let up and set out again, but it was worse than ever. 

We finally made our way to the Hyatt in Mainz where we had to pick up luggage we had stored. Traffic was horrendous. Ron parked in the underground garage, and we went in to have a "farewell" drink looking out at the barges on the Rhine, and try to shake off some of the stress. Such a beautiful hotel.

Ron inquired how to avoid the Russelsheim-Mainz autobahn which we had noticed was at a standstill for miles, and got instructions for another autobahn. Then a new adventure began. The GPS did not have a listing for the Hilton Garden Inn nor the Hilton Hotel (both at the airport). So, I programmed Frankfurt airport and figured we would see signs. By then it was dark and coming from Mainz, there were NO SIGNS for Hilton, NOT ONE! I knew the address was in a building called The Squaire (which was also not in the GPS). I finally spied a sign for The Squaire - but a parking garage. Once we passed by that we ended up back on the autobahn and had 10-KM to get back. Once again, no signs, and we were on an autobahn where we could see the building but could not get to it. We went around a couple more times, and finally, approaching from another direction, I saw a sign to the bridge to The Squaire. We pulled up to the entrance and Ron went in to see where the hotel was located. There were no signs, not even in the elevator to tell you what floor it was on. He eventually located it and came down with a luggage trolley. We unloaded the van, checked in, and an employee offered to assist us. I mentioned our difficult experience finding the hotel, and he said they were aware of it and that the airport was prohibiting them from posting better signage due to the airport's relation with the on-site Sheraton Hotel. We went to the room, and Ron then had to set out to return the rental van. Another stressful episode.

While he was gone I rearranged the small odds and ends and bags and repacked the big suitcase we had stored in Mainz. Also, rearranged the computer and files. 

We met at 8:30 in The Squaire. Went to check out the menu at the Hilton, but didn't care for it (nor the prices). Instead we went to a so-called "gourmet burger" restaurant in The Squaire - Connection 5.

Ron was wise to stick with German sausage. The burger was appalling. Knew I should have waited for a Houston's cheeseburger! 

We went back to the hotel and set numerous alarms to be certain we would be up on time. Never sleep well when I know we have an early departure.

"Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life."

Michael Palin.

January 29 - Last Day in Salzburg

Our last "real" day of vacation arrived much too quickly. Around 9 AM we drove to Franz-Josef Strasse and had breakfast at Fingerlos Cafe. Fingerlos is famous in Salzburg for catering to "society", much as Dallmyer is in Munich. Ron and I enjoy going there in pleasant weather to sit outside and "people-watch". The menu is very extensive and quite varied for European breakfast. Of course, this time of year we were inside the modern cafe. They have a large glass display counter with a wide variety of cakes, tortes, candies and other bakery items. The building was formerly the Winkler Hotel and now houses a senior citizen residence above the cafe. I commented that would be an ideal place for me!

Outside Fingerlos Cafe

Part of Pat's "Extended Breakfast" choice

Mike's breakfast with 3 kinds of sausage

Ron's dessert - carrot cake

After breakfast we returned briefly to our apartment. We then dropped Pat and Mike off (with their unbrellas) to spend their last day in Europe in the Aldt Stadt, a place of many special memories. Ron and I had planned to go to Gmunden on Traunsee, but it was a gray and rainy day, and we decided we didn't want to go that far. We ended up in the small suburb of Elixhausen at the Romantik Hotel Gmachl, which we had visited on our last trip. Hotels belonging to the Romantik Hotel group always seems to have the cozy, gemutlich atmosphere we enjoy. This was no exception. Beautiful dining and public rooms.

At our table

After lunch we went to the Forum shopping center adjacent to the Bahnhof (train station) to pick up some grocery items we wanted to take home, and get an "International Herald".

That afternoon we worked on reorganizing and repacking the luggage.

Around 6:30 PM the four of us set out for our final dinner at the Friesacher in Anif, as previously mentioned - one of our favorite places. Despite the hotel being fully booked (our wait-list never cleared), the place was quiet and several of the fireplaces were not ablaze. We finally found a place other than the bar (smoking) where we could sit by a fire. 

We then walked to the adjacent Heuriger, owned by a member of the same family. This is where you choose your own food items from a counter. You can specify how many of each item you want - which is neat for "sampling" - something like the Austrian version of "tapas". For example, I had one shrimp, one artichoke heart, two buffalo mozzarella cheese balls, and a piece of fried chicken. Everything was good. And there were so many more choices.

Mary's plate

We returned safely to our little apartments, and knew we had to get up early, which was not difficult to do with no rolladen (a kind of metal blinds that most buildings have outside) on our windows (so light came in) and the little workshop across the way coming to life early in the morning.

January 28 - Salzburg Alt Stadt and Red Bull Hangar 7

We slept a bit late, and Ron didn't feel like breakfast. My single mattress on a sofa is very comfy in the morning when the room is so cold (as I leave the window open overnight) and the bed is so warm that it is easy to sleep longer than usual! Mike had been out in the drizzle to the bakery for rolls, and I went up to have semmeln (a plain roll) and Pat's grits. We then took a couple hours to start repacking our "stuff" for the return flight. NO, NO, NO I don't want to go (Amy Winehouse). I can't bear to think of it - leave me here instead of the entire month of February doing taxes, and missing the beautiful mountains. The penalty to be paid for the long trip.

We left at 11 AM and Ron bravely drove into an underground garage in the Altstadt. Mike got out and helped direct him to park in a small space. We are always worrying about the height-clearance. And the van is so big it sticks out of the space.

Walked in the Alt Stadt. The window displays of clothing and jewelry are so beautiful. Even though none of us want to buy a thing, it is interesting to look. Although, sometimes we feel tempted and know we are trying to get rid of things, not acquire more!

We stopped at a little place in a passageway - Cafe Mozartwinkel - we sat outside near heaters and were supplied with blankets. Mike ordered what was touted as the world's best nuss schneke (nut snail) - this based on the shape of the pastry - it had cinammon, apples and nuts, and neither Pat nor Mike would vote it the world's best.

Went separate ways. Surprised to find out American Express no longer in Mozart Platz - nor internet cafe. Ron and I went to Sporer to buy morillen (apricot) schanpps. Sat in back room and had a glass of wine while reading the "International Herald Tribune" (owned by NY Times). It is our English-language paper we enjoy overseas, even though we can read it on-line for free and it is about $4 per issue to buy the hard copy. There is something to be said for having a "real" newspaper while having your morning tea and coffee or afternoon wine and beer!

Met Pat and Mike at 1:30 PM at Zipfer - not my kind of menu, so I just had a small bowl of soup. Pat also had soup (potato), and Ron had a tureen of chicken soup with vegetables.

Mary's Fladli soup

Mike's rosti with egg - he rated it a 2 out of 10 - no flavor

We walked back to Sporer to buy a small bottle of schnapps. Then we went back to the car.

We drove to the airport to Hangar 7 - owned by Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner of Red Bull energy drinks. The hangar houses a collection of his "toys", including airplanes, formula one racing cars and helicopters. He has a full crew of pilots and uses many of the planes for various functions. The hangar also has two or three restaurants and bars, including the Michelin-starred Ikarus, which features a famous guest chef every month. The architecture of the hangar is quite unique and stunning.

DC-6  in Hangar 7 (everything owned by Red Bull)

A man flew over the English Channel in this jet propulsion outfit - SCARY!

Brought over for a commercial in 1966 - has 900,000 miles on it

That evening Pat fixed penne pasta with gorgonzola sauce - trying to use up the ingredients we had on hand. It was a block we had bought for snacks and never used. It turned out delicious!! Ron made a salad and dressing to accompany it.

We watched some news on CNN and called it a night. We returned to what we dubbed our "fraternity room".

January 27 - Salzburg - Maria Plain

Mike prepared tasty omelets and warm baguette for our breakfast. Afterward we watched the lengthy Djokovic-Murray finals match. It was nice to have a very large flat-screen TV with excellent picture for enjoying the Australian Open semi-finals and finals.

Once the match was over we drove to the Bahnhof, and Pat and I went into the Spar grocery store to pick up a few items we needed that evening. On Sundays almost all stores are closed, and only in the Bahnhof (train station) will you find things open. Ron and Mike had to circle around the area numerous times while waiting for us.

From there we drove to the small suburb of Bergheim to the Maria Plain, a famous pilgrimage church above Salzburg. It began when a painting of Mary and Jesus survived a disastrous fire in Bavaria in 1663. The painting was brought to Bergheim, and a chapel was built to display it. Trying to read the story in German, I am not sure of all the details, but it seems the original painting was sent back to Bavaria and a copy was made, and around 1671 construction began on the huge basilica that is still there. It has attracted worshippers from all over the world. Also, people who enjoy walking flock to the area to walk the hills and paths. 

Maria Plain

Gasthof  Maria Plain

Inside Gasthof Maria Plain

What is UGA doing in Maria Plain?

Mike is always the most adventurous - veal beuschel (heart and lungs)

Ron's veal gulash 

Mary's boneless fried chicken - huge portion

Pat's pork medallions with gorgonzola and "tater tots"

View of Salzburg and mountains from Maria Plain  - GORGEOUS!

From Maria Plain looking at Festung Hohensalzburg (castle fortress) and Salzburg city in  the haze

We then dropped Pat and Mike off at the apartment and went to the casino, which was a mistake, as I had remembered from previous visits that we HATE that particular casino. They charge 27 EU entrance, part of which you get credit on a card to use for machines. Also, a new experience to us - in winter men must wear jackets and so Ron had to pay 3.70 EU to "rent one". Have never seen the casino so crowded. There were no machines available, and people reserving machines even when they weren't sitting there. Also, lots of smoke! We played a few machines, and didn't have much luck! The building, itself, is the old Schloss Klessheim and is quite beautiful.

Schloss Klessheim (casino)

View from entrance to Casino

We didn't stay long - just long enough to lose our entrance "stake". We then went back to our little apartment. Pat had been busy preparing black bean soup for our dinner. She had included a can of the Rotel Tomatoes which made it spicy enough, but then she added a few shakes of the dried chili flakes. Ron added a few more for his dish - shouldn't have.

Black Bean Soup

Armagnac

Even though the apartment is not 4*, we are enjoying 4* food and beverages, and making ourselves comfortable! We are adaptable - many years of travel in all kinds of conditons make sure of that.