Enchanting Austria during summer
Travel journal (Austria)
After a disastrous review about the last blog, I was confident that I’ll never write any public posts. Yet another attempt of writing a travel blog. I hope, people after reading this, will have little more fun. We, (me, my two daughters and wife), went for camping in Austria this summer for four days. Also, we were accompanied by two other families of our friends. One of them are the family of my engineering college freind and the another is the family of my ex-colleague. So, Three families with three big tents, one small tent and two cars with lots of stuffs were out for Camping on 23rd July at 5 am from Amsterdam. The trip began with unorganised packing and as a result, we couldn’t accommodate two small tables, but let’s deal with this. We all gathered the stipulated place around 5:30 AM, after a delay of about 30 minutes (if not less) we started around 6:00 AM.
Salzach is the main river of Austrian state Salzburg. The river originated from Salzachtursprung in the South-west of Salzburg and meet the river Danube in Pasau, a border city situated in Germany. We installed our tents in the city of Reitsam at the bank of the river Salzach. The Camping spot was in the Vally of of Hachkonig, highest pick of Berchtesgaden Alps. There were many apple trees in the camping site. We reached there around 10 PM. It was too dark to install the tents. So, we booked the bungalow. We carried our food for the night, so it was easier to manage ourselves after a 10–12 hrs drive. Three of us opted for beer before we call for the night.
Following morning , the day started with installation of our Tents. I was having a modern tent with easy installation step, so it was easier for me. Biswajeet and Sachhi, my other two friends were struggling with theirs’. As we completed the installation, we had our lunch/breakfast and then went to Grossglockner High Alpine Road. This is the highest mountain in Austria at 3,798 m with a road to the summit base and a visitor center. The summit can be reached by Car. During the ascend, we stopped in two places for photographs. regardless to say, this is photography paradise. We reached the summit by car then crossed the Hoctor tunnel. The other side of Hoctor tunnel is Carinthia province. Temperature was freezing in on Carinthia side. During the descent, we stopped at Gasthof Fuscherlacke Mankeiwirt, a restaurant situated 2262 m from ground. Potato Gulasch with meat made by the resturant was really tasty. We came back to our tent while it was raining heavily. The evening was a completely wash-out. However, we managed to prepare steamed rice with lentil soup and omelette. It was thunderstorm during the whole night; as we were tired, we slept immediately. It was completely different experience of sleeping inside a tent while it is raining cats and dogs in the outside. I was listening to the sound of rain coming from the Tent-top while my two daughters were sleeping in there sleeping bags happily and comfortablely. I forgot when I fell asleep.
I wake up with bird’s chattering. Nature creates its utmost beauty here, you remain lost if you deeply listen to the cascading river. The following day was Sunny, there was no traces of cloud in the blue sky. I waked up in first in our group and went for a cup of coffee in the Camping field caffee. Siping the capeccino in the backdrop of Werfenweng, was amazing. I took a small walk round the surrrounding. The Camping ground is located beside Salszach river. River flows with high current here with a widht of around 30 meters. Because of the current, you can always hear the sound of the water flow. We had our quick breakfast. Campside restaurent prepare freshly baked breads, crousants etc. We had sufficient bread with boiled eggs, jams, Chicket fillets and cheese. I made coffee for everyone. After having a heavy breakfast, we started started for Krimmle Waterfalls. Krimmle is Europe’s highest waterfalls, situated in the villege Krilmmle in the High Teuen National Park in Salzburg. It has a hight of 380 m. After the falls, the river joins Salzach. This waterfall has a highest drop of 140 m. We had dinner in a small Terkish restaurant nearby while I found a destination charger for my Tesla. After returning our tents we cooked something using our stored grocerries (egg, bread, pasta etc. ). We were busy with Wine and Card games.
Next morning me and Biswajeet were early. We went together to explore the surrounding in the morning after one round of strong cappuccino. next plan was Werfenweng, which is located at the foot of the majestic peaks of the Tennengebirge (Tennen Mountains) and is famous for mountain sports. We reached there during noon, we took a Gondola (Cable car) to reach the peak and spend some relaxed time with family. The view of Werfenweng and the surrounding Salzachtal while paragliding is panoromic. However, we’ve not done any of this sort of activity. But, we took numerous photographs in various angel.
The same day during the sunset we are in Salburg. Name Salzburg means “Salt Castle”. The City was founded in 696 AD. Salt and Gold mines and trading are the main source of income then. Salzburg’s historic centre is renowned for its Baroque architecture. Baroque architecture is a highly decorative and theatrical style which appeared in Italy in the early 17th century and gradually spread across Europe. Salzburg was the birthplace of the 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salzburg is approximately 150 km east of Munich, 281 km northwest of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and 300 kmwest of Vienna. Salzburg has about the same latitude of Seattle.Hohensalzburg Fortress [Festung Hohensalzburg], Mozart’s Birthplace [Museum “Mozarts Geburtshaus”], Mozartplatz & Mozart Monument, Linzer Gasse & Platzl, Cathedral Square & Statue of the Virgin, and Mary Getreidegasse are some of the places you should visit while you’re walking around the city. In the dinner, we had Tafelspitz (Boiled Beef), Knödel (Dumpling), Wiener Schnitzel and Buchteln.
Last day, we were returning home. We planned to visit Koningsee as it is nearby to Sulzburg. Konigsee is the deepest lake of Germany. I ranges around 7 km and situated south of Salzbug. On boat ride, we heard echo while the trumpet is played from the boat. Surrounded sheer rock walls created as many as seven echos. It is cearly audible. This lake is popular for tourists and hiker. Together, we hiked from Konigsee to Obersee.
We started from Koningsee around 5–30 PM and then straight hit the road and return Netherland at around 8 AM in the monring.
