25th March 2006 - Day 159

The trams in Wien

I wasn't sure which train to board at the train station. I simply boarded the only train that leaves at 0909 as someone told me that was the train to Melk.

On board the train, I asked a young lady whether this was the correct train. She didn't know as she wasn't travelling so far, but she offered to help me ask the train conductor. I declined and found the conductor later.

The conductor was nice enough to come and inform me just before the train reaches Melk. I would have continued sleeping if not for him.

Melk is a quaint little town with a distinctive yellow abbey designed in high Baroque style. I cannot remember the last time when a church made me go "wah", but this one certainly did. Unfortunately, some parts of the abbey were closed, while some other required a tour guide to accompany. I missed the tour at 1100 and the next would be at 1400, which is already too late.

Entrance to the Abbey

I reached Salzburg at 1500 and followed the directions in the guidebook to the youth hostel. After which, I went out to see what the town has to offer.

Salzburg is considered one of the most beautiful towns by many. I think it would look much better in summer though. A fellow traveller at the hostel commented that this is a very small town and he wouldn't spend more than 2 nights here. Indeed, the small town is choked full with tourists. I finished exploring the Altstadt in 2 hours.

Went to see some of the free attractions like the Dom, St. Peters Friedhof and the Festung. The Festung would have to wait till tomorrow since it's closing soon. Lots of tourists were crowding at Mozarts Geburtshaus. For a music illiterate like me, he's just another dead person. I doubt visiting the place where he was born for 5€ would make me appreciate music any better.

Morzarts Geburtshaus

I walked to the Nonnberg abbey where Maria von Trapp studied there for 2 years. It's a private monastery and it was dark inside. Nothing much to see.

The Glockenspiel is supposed to play at 1800. I waited, but nothing happened. Instead, I got entertained by a bunch of noisy youths. It was back to hostel after a simple dinner.

A statue of Mozart on Mozartsplatz

So, 1 hour less of sleep tonight.