Melk, Austria

 Sunday, December 11

Our boat was apparently delayed getting though one of the locks, and we arrived in Melk, Austria, a bit later than expected. I’m not sure if I noted it before, but our journey takes us through 69 locks, and an elevation change of 1300 feet! It has been interesting watching the process taking us up first, and then down, barely fitting between the walls! The later arrival was not an issue, as we lingered a bit more over breakfast and left for the Abby 1⁄2 hour later then planned. We had been to the Abby many years ago, but Clem didn’t remember it at all, and I remembered how beautiful it was, so deemed it worth a second visit. It is high on an hill over the small village and resplendent with its wealth of gold, but no photos are allowed inside. The architecture outside is beautiful as well, and snow started to fall as we emerged. Very cold, we opted for the short bus ride back to our boat rather than returning downhill by foot through the village, but I was sorry after as I heard those that braved it say how nice it was.

We are now doing a scenic cruise down the Danube, with our director pointing out the scenery and castles,enjoying hot chocolate, and watching the snow flurries outside! Perfect.

The chef prepared cookies and we were allowed to try  a hand at decorating them. 

Late in the afternoon, they came around with hot chocolate for everyone, and then offered a cookie decorating session. At first I was tempted to join in the fun, but when they donned chef hats and plastic aprons and gloves, and the cookies were big round version of their gingerbread, I decided to watch the fun instead.

After dinner, a couple came on board and demonstrated a ballet and the Viennese waltz, the heart of many ballet, and of course, Austria. Said to be their second national anthem, the melody is very popular and well recognized around the world. They called for volunteers to learn the waltz, but my partner was not willing, and I would have been the odd female. In retrospect, I should have gone up, and maybe the pro would have danced with me! It was fun…..and sometimes funny…..to watch our fellow passengers try to follow the directions. Only after a bit did I realize it is the opposite of our dance, with males starting on right, and women on left, and turning the opposite way. I imagine it would have been very clumsy! We did get to chat and chuckle with some fellow passengers who had done it, so it was a fun evening. A very good day all around.