Nelson to Munich to Salzburg

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The holiday began with the usual long haul to the northern hemisphere. First to Bangkok on a 777 with Thai Air, arriving there in the usual heat and humidity. We’re pleased we’re not staying there with temps of 29 degrees at night.

From Bangkok to Zurich the flight with Swiss Air was very good with friendly staff and more comfort since we were able to get seats behind the bulkhead with more leg room and a window for the odd view without clouds. We got plenty of sleep so arrived in Switzerland feeling reasonably refreshed despite the distance – assisted by “No More JetLag” and sleeping pills. It was great flying into Switzerland with the Alps in view. It had been cloudy through most of the flight but now the Alps were out in all their glory showing themselves in their entirety.

Then straight off to Munich on Swiss Air - again with the amazing alpine views before turning to the north and out over the farmland and lakes of Bavaria. There was much evidence to see of the recent flooding with surface water reflecting from the air.

Munich was the final part of our air journey and amazingly the bags we last saw in Nelson were first out on the carousel in Munich. Excellent. We had wondered if this was going to be an issue but the system worked as it should.

Then the fun began. We wanted a ticket by train to Salzburg and the only way to purchase it was in a machine. It didn’t want our big Euro note or our credit card. So, with the friendly help of numerous Germans we got money changed, a cheaper fare and our money accepted. However, we then found that because of the recent floods, the fast train we wanted wasn’t going so we had to sit around in the Munchen Ost Station for 2 hours waiting to get a regional train. The plus side of railway stations is that they have some really good food – wonderful cakes, coffee and breads and other yummies. (I have to remember that to ask for a long black coffe is “schwarze kaffee, bitte”).

Finally we’re underway and heading to Salzburg hoping that we'd be there soon. BUT WAIT, there’s more! We stopped at a station and everyone got off except us. Nobody came to say that there had been a change so we stayed put. Then the sign in the train changed to Munich, not Salzburg – time to get off. We didn’t want to go back there. A station master said “run!” and get the bus. It was just leaving so we heaved ourselves and the bags onto the bus full of people. Apparently, it had been announced that due to the flooding over the past few days, the rail and motorway were now shut and we had to continue by bus. Of course, it was all in German so we hadn’t cottoned on. We then did a slow bus trip through lovely back country roads until we reached Traundheim and got back on the train to Salzburg. So, what should have been 2 hours took us 7.

We have settled into the Alderhof Pension for the next few days which isn’t in the best part of town but it’s convenient. We have a traditional room with a four poster bed and folksy painted furniture. It’s clean and it’s within walking distance of everything.

Yes, it’s a long way on a single journey but there are plusses in just getting on and getting it out of the way, but added delays don’t help on top of long plane trips.

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Photos

Room at the Adlerhof Pension, Salzburg
Traditional décor. A convenient Pension close to the Railway Station and walking distance to Old Town