Meggers on the Move: International Adventure

We went to Europe! More specifically, we ventured into the alpine regions of Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France. We traveled by bus between locations and had quite a bundle of amazing experiences along the way.

In an effort to minimize the luggage-fiasco-catastrophes we all hear so much about when traveling internationally, we brought only carry ons- more specifically, a 30L pack and purse for a little over two weeks of travel. I'm as surprised as you.

We were both granted the time off of work (how this happened, I'm still unsure, but it's amazing) and flew out to Salzburg, Austria on Sunday, May 25th where we began our trip...
"The HILLLSSSSS ARE ALLLIVVEEEE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSSSSICCCC...."

BUT before we did that, we were lucky enough to cruise up to the Kings River (50+miles east of Fresno) for some much needed kayak play time before our international adventure.
Normal people would have stayed home and prepared for their trip, you know, packing, repacking, looking up packing lists and resting, but not us. Initially I was amazed that we were going to make it work and looking back, I am so glad we were able to get that time to play with new and old friends in the fresh clear waters on the Kings. We spent three beautiful days on the Kings River, camping out and running the river with friends from all along the California coastline.
Highlight of that trip: running the river in a raft at night by headlamp. Wow. And I mean w-o-w. What a special treat which I will carry with me forever. No moon, clear night, just us and the steady pull downstream. I am so thankful for our pre-vacation vacation and the wonderful people that made it so special.

The next few posts will take a little bit closer look at the places we adventured to, the people we met along the way, the adventures we created and the food we ate...

Our adventure begins...
Salzburg, Austria
We flew into Salzburg, Austria after an eleven hour direct flight from San Francisco and a layover in Frankfurt, Germany to a giant thunderstorm. The booming cracks of lightning and dark puffy clouds blanketed the area in a grim, mysterious light. From the air we were able to see the giant stone fortress that looks out over the old city, Hohensalzburg Fortress. It's a castle. We saw a castle from the air. I freaked out.
Crash course on Salzburg- The Sound of Music was toured around this area and so there is a major tourist industry geared around sites from the film (I still haven't seen it). Mozart was born here and although I am not sure if he was laid to rest here, his family is and as a result, you can find funny Mozart memorabilia everywhere. You will also find St. Peter's Cathedral and Cemetery at the base of the hill that leads to the fortress. People speak German and are very patient with you while you attempt your first German non-swear words (thank you Jan Ole). :) And the health care system is very black and white when you're an American- you give the doctor money and he gives you a prescription for your infected leg. (unfortunate mishap on the river, all is well). Back to the story...
As it were, the Fortress we flew over was built and never fully completed, but was fully functioning as a walled miniature city. As we learned from our walk-about, the fortress was complete with salt barracks, dungeons, churches and ale houses. The stone walls, when observed more closely, were etched, by hand, for the first 20 feet in height where blocks were then placed to complete the fortress, which had little arrow slits in them to get the bad guys, wow.
Side note: A repeating occurrence throughout our trip was the incredible attention paid to detail here- so many years of work put into single rooms, it was absolutely incredible.

The weather, was not the most favorable for us here, but we definitely made the best of it with plenty of exploring, pretzel and sausage eating and beer drinking. We came prepared for wet weather as most of Europe is experiencing more 'normal' seasons than us Californians have experienced this year. We looked like Teletubbies in our brightly colored rain jackets, but as a bonus, never got separated from one another. The Salzach River was gushing. Lots of mineral rich, milky colored water running right through the center of the city, also a sight for sore eyes as all the rivers in California are hurting for water. We found a bridge covered in lovers lockets and plenty of Sound of Music memorabilia as well as Mozart's Chocolate Balls. (disclaimer: Mozart's birth city has taken full advantage of his fame, by turning a profit on tourist trinkets, such as chocolate balls with Mozart's face on them) (we found this entertaining as they were literally everywhere)(We bought Mozart's balls).
Through eavesdropping over breakfast we were able to find some local hot spots for some great authentic Austrian food and beverage. We were not disappointed as the portions were huge and the beer was cold.

From Austria we traveled southeast to the land of Hallstatt.
Hallstatt, Austria
Talk about a gorgeous sight. Hallstatt, population 795, is this beautiful little town tucked away in the mountains on the side of beautiful swan-filled lake (Hallstatter See). Our hotel was tucked right next to the giant Protestant Church on the water. We looked out our hotel window and saw the church...and heard the bells on the hour, I actually loved it.
Disclaimer: swans are massive birds and these were surprisingly mellow in comparison to their annoying goose cousins.
We ventured to ice caves above the neighboring town, where we experienced freezing temperatures and wave-like formations in the ice. Unbelievably huge waves of ice (9+meters thick). The way it was explained is the caves were beginning their thawing process, but because of the cool winds from the mountain tops, the waves were forming and refreezing. This process happened every year, and would thaw out as summer arrived only to refreeze the following winter.
After missing the bus down the hill, we found ourselves napping (still jet lagged) at the bus stop in the rain for an hour and a half while we waited for the last bus back to our town. We made it, which was good as it would have been a long wet walk back. The food was equally amazing here in Hallstatt as were the desserts.
It took us a few days to get our clocks on the right schedule, 9 hours ahead of PST. Wide awake at 3am for several days.
We only spent one night in Hallstatt and then headed off to Italy.