Blogs from Lower Austria, Austria, Europe

Per chance there was a concert on at the Abbey last night entitled "Game of Thrones". Musical scores from TV and film mostly, played to the organ and Violoncello. The artists were two brothers. The concert was in the Abbey church and was esquisite. While the music was amazing, it also gave me another chance to visit that amazing church again. Today was another short ride, just 42kms to Krems an der Donau. We were away just after 8am, well fed from breakfast and enjoying the cooler air of the morning. We back tracked a little to cross a bridge over the Danube before turning east on the north bank heading towards Krems. We have been speculating about how wide the Danube is. Today we measured it with our bike computers while crosg the bridge and ... read more

Today we are riding to the town of Melk. It's a short 46kms from Grein along the Danube. The next 3 days are all relatively short as we make our way to Vienna. The ride out of Grien is under blue skies with the promise of hot weather ahead for the next couple of days. With such a short distance today we are really taking it easy cruising gently along enjoying the view. It's Sunday, and as we pass through little towns it's as if they are ghost towns with other cyclists the only other people we see. We are also down to base rations as the supermarkets were closed last night and we didn't have breakfast at the Pension this morning. Our morming break is in a quiet little town were we luckily find one ... read more

Melk and Durnstein are located at opposite ends of the Wachau Valley along the Danube. The main attraction of Melk is a huge castle which was deeded to the Benedictine monks 800 years ago when the Prince Bishop of the area decided to move to Vienna. The abbey is enormous and hosted Maria Theresa, Queen of Austria-Hungary three times during her reign (she traveled with over 200 people from her court wherever she went). It is currently the main tourist attraction of the area; it has a school with 900 middle to high school kids; and has 24 monks ranging in age from 31 to 94. The long term prospects for the order in itself are poor since they have not gotten any recruits for over a decade. The bet is that when all the monks ... read more

Like always, departing NZ bound for Europe is lengthy. In line with a major event on the professional development calendar late in October, I just had to go. Without P2 this time. Just under 18 hours can pass surprisingly quickly when half of it is asleep. Qatar Airways direct to Doha from Auckland has the longest flight in the world, slightly more than the other Middle Eastern countries and on par nearly with some AirNZ to the America’s. And yet the cabin crew retain that unflappable appearance. Passengers, as myself, look more rugged! Hamad airport was buzzing at midnight, everyone on hasty short or taking-their-time long layovers. Fortunately this aircraft parking spot delivered us (via buses) right to the landmark of the giant teddy bear, lounges, and the much appreciated, Vitality Spa. If I needed a ... read more

Sailed overnight to Durnstein. Arrived for breakfast at 8am. Then walked the town. So beatiful and quaint. Climbed half way up to old castle ruins, some more amazing views overlooking the town & river. Departed noon for cruise through the Wachau Valley to Melk. Picture perfect villages, churches and riverviews. Arrived Melk 3pm, to tour the Melk Abbey. Interesting tour of Melk Abbey, Benedictine monks still at Abbey also school still running. Enormous grounds, halls and squares. Completely renovated in 1700's baroque style. Back to ship for dinner.... read more