Austria March 2016

Salzburg

Kai Ling, Joyce and I flew from Manchester to Salzburg, Austria! Salzburg is well-known as the birthplace of Mozart and Sound of Music, but we aren't fans of both, so those 2 facts don't bother us haha.

Salzburg has an Old Town (Alstadt) and New Town, separated by this river (picture above). We stayed in an Airbnb flat in the Old Town. Salzburg is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It has had human settlements since 6 BC. Okay my memory is bad, but Salzburg was ruled by Romans etc. It has a street called Steingasse which was a route used by the Romans.

We spent the first 1.5 days just walking around Salzburg.

Hallstatt (day trip from Salzburg)
Typical itinerary of tourists: Visit Salzburg, and make a day trip to Hallstatt, a village by a lake. It is beautiful. Period.

We also talked to this lovely couple who live in Hallstatt. We were passing by their house and I was charmed by a random cat (as usual) so I stopped, and the husband came out and carried the cat to let me pet it (cat iz not amused). They grew up in Hallstatt and have always lived there. The wife goes skiing very often, like it's a very normal pastime. I love talking to locals! So much more meaning is added to the travelling when you get to talk face to face with people who live where you are visiting, instead of just sightseeing.

Spent another day in Salzburg just walking around.

Mirabell Palace and Gardens. Salzburg Fortress in the background.  

I'm amused that many food items sold in Austria are packaged in tubes like toothpaste. Condensed milk, mayonnaise..

There is also a huge "trust policy" in Austria/Germany. They trust that you will drop the right amount of coins into the box when you take a newspaper. They trust that you have paid if you board the tram without going to the driver to pay. But I guess it can also be said that they assume you would pay. I cannot see that system being done in Malaysia. The newspaper press and tram companies would go bankrupt haha. 

We felt like we've had more than enough time in Salzburg. Joyce found cheap tickets to Munich, Germany (only 11€ return!! Bayern ticket, for future reference).

Munich 

 Town hall 

 (I don't know what this is)

Meal in Munich

 Kai Ling and I went to the toilet and we were faced with 2 options: Damen and Herren. We decided very quickly that Damen sounds like The Men and Herren has a 'her' in it, so we went into Herren. Then Kai Ling saw urinals. We left. 

Recycling station in a supermarket! Basically, you get 0.25€ per plastic bottle to be redeemed when you shop there. Cool beans! We bought two bottles of water and poured them into our own bottles and then went back in to use the machines hahaha. 

Vienna
We take the train to Vienna, the capital of Austria! Vienna is known for opera, music, culture, food etc. Mozart and the other famous musicians played here. Sigmund Freud was born here. UN headquarters are here. In fact, a few people at Christ Church which I visited on Good Friday work for the UN. One man was born in NY to British parents (who work for UN's Atomic Agency?) but grew up and have always lived in Vienna.

Austrian Parliament

Hofburg Palace. It was in front of this palace that Hitler made the announcement that Austria was now part of Nazi Germany.

This is a Sacher Torte (Suck-Her Tort-te), a chocolate cake, one of the must-haves in Vienna. Kai Ling was not impressed by it (she says it's dry, but Angeline eats and enjoys anything so she doesn't mind)

 The Hundertwasser Haus! Designed by the architect Friedrich Hundertwasser who was an opponent of straight lines. He wanted to include nature too, hence all the climbing plants. 

He also happens to think that shit is sacred and is what makes you immortal. 

The Schonbrunn Palace. Looks quite simple on the outside but is grand inside (though we think the Vienna State Opera House might look more grand). We had a tour of it, was interesting to learn more about royal life. Like how children are married off for political reasons, the queen didn't love the emperor, etc

Easter Market 

They have lots of Easter Markets in Austria for Easter! Restaurant are also decorated with eggs and ribbons. 

Angeline having some fun in front of another building designed by Hundertwasser.  

A cheese strudel. Yummy.

People always take photos of beautiful places etc, because they only want to remember beautiful moments. But I realise that there is so much that isn't captured on camera too. 

Austria is a rich country (known for quality of life and safety), but there were many homeless on the streets too. They might well be refugees from war-torn countries (according to a lady I met at church on Good Friday).

Yes, I enjoyed a lot of good food, but I also felt a bit sick inside because we were constantly looking for Tripadvisor-good-food, indulging and yet sometimes complaining, when there are people outside who may be hungry. May I never become numb to reality especially when I am having a 'good time'. May I also give, and not just receive.

It was really nice to go somewhere I have never been and do things I've never experienced. I thank God for the opportunity and for the 2 great companions to travel with. Am blessed to spend this year's Easter in Austria. Even in the light of the recent Brussels terrorist attack, I can be assured that God is in control and He understands the suffering of the victims/family and cares for people in need (even when I don't). 

" ..In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.." 1 Peter 1:3

There is new life in Christ! And all good things come from Him. :) 

This blog post is quite disorganised. There are many more unshared photos but mostly of places. I just wanted to get this blog post done before I forget more about the trip hahaha. I guess this blog post is more about the thoughts I had, rather than places I've seen.

Have a nice day good night