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.