Salzburg, Austria {Europe Trip, Part II}

After surviving Oktoberfest and literally running to get on an earlier train to Salzburg, Austria we enjoyed looking out the windows and sitting with a car full of ladies in dirndls.  We were impressed with how clean the main train station in Salzburg was- the floors were gleaming marble(?) and it was beautiful.  We walked a couple blocks to get to our hotel, which was not nearly as nice as the one we stayed at in Germany.  But, it was good enough for one night.  When we left the hotel a few minutes later to get some dinner, we realized we weren't in the best area of town, either.  Not too bad, but some undesirable businesses to pass by.  Dinner was pretty good.  Truthfully, I can't even remember what I ate, but it was fun to be on a date with Kenneth all my ourselves. 
Breakfast the next morning at the hotel was similar to the offerings in the hotel in Germany, but not nearly the quality.  It was fine, though.  Mostly, we were just excited to see our friends whom we hadn't seen for 8 years!  They picked us up from the hotel shortly after breakfast and we spent the day sightseeing in and around gorgeous Salzburg.  We had a quick bite to eat in the middle of the day- some yummy bread and an apple.  In the evening after leaving the city, we ate dinner at a traditional Austrian restaurant.  The food was great; the bread to die for!  We also feel we went on this trip at a perfect time of the year- the weather was gorgeous and there were still lots of flowers everywhere.
Feast your eyes:

 

Here Kenneth is with our dear friends, Dirk, Manuela and their fourth child, Matilda.  He walked up through that tunnel to get a view of the old city.

 Manuela's sister came to watch their other three girls so that we could tour around with them for a couple of days- so nice of her.  Matilda was a happy little tourist.  It was fun to have her along. 

Salzburg

The house in which Mozart was born

Manuela and I inside the Salzburg cathedral.  Beautiful.  Many cathedrals are dark inside; this one is white and bright.  I liked it.

The ceiling in the Dom (cathedral)

Salzburg Fortress.  Dirk's sister-in-law grew up living there!  Her father took care of it.

Beautiful architecture, hills and clouds

Much of the old city is built right up to the mountain.  It is very cool to see.

The outside of the cathedral- notice the tour group on the Segways.

View of the Fortress with the he chessboard and cool golden ball. (Statue on top- not a real person)

After we left Salzburg, we went to Hellbrunn Schloss- a palace just a little way outside the city.  It was a summer palace of one of the Archbishops/ rulers of Austria.  There was a conference going on while we were there- some meeting between Asia and Europe to encourage trade.  There was also a wedding going on.  It was a happening place!  In conjunction with all going on, they had these cool Audis out front.  Kenneth had a hard time deciding which one he would take home.

Look at that smile.  Nice cars will do that!

The king and queen at their palace.

The grounds of this palace have trick fountains.  The archbishop was quite the trickster and loved to surprise his guests.

Gorgeous gardens.  We were so lucky to have such incredible weather, too.

This is an incredible mechanical theater all powered by running water.

We really enjoyed the tour- even if we did get a little wet!

With Dirk and Mauela on the grounds.

View of the palace and grounds with the fortress in the background to the right.  So gorgeous. This picture was taken from the Museum that is up on a hill nearby.

Listening to the audiotour inside the palace.

View from the long road leading to the palace.

"You are sixteen going on seventeen."  Yes, this is the very pavilion from the Sound of Music.