Krems, Austria

Wednesday

Welcome to Krems! Today was a visit a monastery to enjoy the site and a local treat, apricots! Well, that was the plan. It turns out that there were really a lot of stairs involved, and I did not think that I was up for that. So, Glenn went to the monastery and I walked into the heart of the old village. We both enjoyed our Krems experience very much! I may not have visited the ancient monastery; however, Glenn brought me various chocolate and apricot treats as well as Culinary Austria, a cookbook which I look forward to exploring, and the excursion director made certain that Glenn brought me one of the apricot dumplings which they had all experienced!

As for me, the wonderful people at our ship's help desk gave me a map, and I set off in search of the heart of Krems. It was a glorious day, a bit brisk, with an autumn breeze verging on wind making the coloured leaves fly around - just my kind of day! I walked quite a way along the river before there was a break in the wall to get away from the shoreline path. Crossing a few streets, and winding my way along the map with no street names, but churches dotted here and there, I finally reached the city gate.

Just outside the gate was a little cafe, and after about 20 minutes of walking I was ready to sit down! I had a coffee and admired the gate. Coffee in Austria is an interesting experience. Depending on what you order, it comes in a small cup or a glass, perhaps a snifter with the alcohol, and a glass of water with a spoon on top, all sitting on a small silver tray. This time I had ordered a coffee with Bailey's, so it came in a glass topped with lots of whipped cream. A decadent treat for 8:30 am! After coffee I set out yet again. The narrow streets wound around, turning every little while, and climbing up the hill. I was fast wearing out when I came to the area where vehicles were banned. Just there was an inviting Konditorei. I entered, looked at the amazing cakes and pastries, and took my seat. For the first time on the trip I was the only foreigner in the place. Heaven! I ordered a Vienna Melange, which is a strong coffee with whipped cream, and a Mozarttorte.

I thought no longer being surrounded by tourists was heaven. Then I had a bite of the Mozarttorte! Sheer bliss! It is a very moist Chocolate cake with chocolate genache, marzipan and some liqueur which I could not identify. It will now feature prominently back at home! After savouring the cake and coffee, I asked the server, who was kind enough to speak German with me, for a piece to take back to the ship (will I share it with Glenn???), and where I could find a taxi. She called a taxi for me and wrapped up this precious bundle. I paid the bill and waited as she watched out the window behind me for the taxi. When it arrived I thanked her profusely and went off for the brief ride back to the ship.

Our ship waiting to welcome me back aboard.

Once we were all back at the ship we began the trip upriver into Germany. This section of the Danube gets very hilly and more narrow. Our excursion director gave us commentary as we progressed, pointing out various sites along the way, including several castles perched on the tops of the hills just waiting for marauders to arrive. We sat up top and snapped photo after photo.

And finally,