When a ski trip goes pear shaped. Find the small wins

This should be white with snow in winter

After Salzburg the plan for my holiday this year was to make a trip to a place called Grünau Im Amtel. Part of the Kasberg Ski Resort area of Austria. I in part chose this as a different location from the standard resorts I had previously visited in France. Their cheap french wine which I never drink for fear of headaches, and because it's crap was just not appealing. And because it would be cool to have a small ski resort experience in Austria. So plans had been set for months. This was to be the centrepiece of my trip. 4 days in the middle of Austria.

Except it didn't end up this way. Before I had left Australia I had already heard that it had been a poor start to the winter. Europe had been having it's warmest winter in ages. The ski reports from the internet were reading optimism and hope whereas the snow reports were reading tragedy on the cards. But I persisted in the belief it would work out. After all this plan was to ski at the end of February, the month everyone said to avoid Europe as it's too cold.

And then the dominoes started to fall.

It first started with my arrival into Vienna. Met up with my Austrian friends who I had been discussing my Austrian plans throughout the planning. They confirmed it was not a good season, and suggested I change my plans. They were able to host me and take me to an alternative ski resort for a day. It would be better. Without snow they were concerned I'd had 4 nights in nowhere Austria with little more then countryside walks to complete.

And then after arrival into Salzburg came the kicker. The day before I was to depart on the Kasberg website was bad news that the 8 seat chair to the top of the mountain was broken down and would not be operational until 3 days later. But as a result ski passes would only be 15 euro a day! Realisation had set in. It was just not meant to be. I felt bad I was cancelling the hostel I had planned and arranged for months via a simple email. They would receive nothing for my late cancellation. But then they were also aware I was only booking for the skiing, and well that had been reduced to a handful of lower beginner runs with limited snow, and a ski carpet for beginners.

Danielle lost and ate the egg

Traditional Easter eggs with the staring bird

So I moved the trip sideways. All seemed right when I arrived to my friend's place for a few nights near Laakirchen. And well I won the traditional Easter egg smash-a-thon prior to dinner in the local Gasthof. Small win Chad! This was lucky as the loser then just peels the egg and eats it. I could not get over the fact the egg could have been boiled a week ago. It was just going against all my thoughts of food preparation and storage.

But it seems that was my last win. For during the day of skiing the body failed me instead. I lasted through the first ski session without an issue. The skiing at Schladming. And then a mere 100m into the 2nd session as we descended down to the lower station I had a fall. My ski on the right foot went in and then way out. I went down... and well I just felt it... I wasn't getting up. From there it was the process that had to happen. Get carted off the hill, wait for ambulance, go to hospital, and then finally get examined. My instant reaction was... "is it broken? But I was in a ski boot."

Right ankle which suffered catastrophic failure

Alas potential photo of the trip was missed when the ski patrol carted me off the hill. Alas it also killed my ski buddy Peder's day of skiing. But I must say it was good to have him there able to discuss what would be next in the process. My German is a bit rough. After going through the motions in the hospital of examinations and x-ray it was determined I had just sprained my ankle. And the remedy would be rest. I was released unharmed fairly quickly.

The result of the injury and early finish to skiing changed the trip again. And well look look back upon the afternoon as having received a win as we took a side trip to Hallstatt. But for walking I was forgetting about the ankle in what is an absolutely picturesque town on the lake. What's really interesting is that if not for the Chinese having built a replica version in China the place would be just another town. But now this place was buzzing with Chinese tourist all keen to see the real Hallstatt. If you wanted the complete experience you could even hire traditional Dirndl to walk around town during your visit! And then pick up your own Chinese panda souvenir on the way out.

We returned to Laakirchen in the evening passing by a Castle on the Lake in Gmunden. A local iconic image. And well it made for a wonderful photo as the chill of the evening descended upon us.

The Lake Castle in Gmunden

The discussion of this area could not be concluded without special mention of this vending machine in the village near my friends place. How cool, and yet so Austrian is it for your local butcher to have a meat vending machine? For when you just need meat now!

I was told it's extremely popular. Especially in summer when you realise too late you need some wurst for a BBQ after being at the lake all day. I didn't get to try. Maybe next time.

High on a hill but there was no lonely goat

High on a hill with a lonely goat. That was my only goal for Salzburg. I had no interest in actually completing the Sound of Music Tour. In fact I had decided that is was pretty much the Sound of me saying "hell no" if offered.

If you want know who was in Salzburg for this movie you need only see the movie room for the hostel from 8pm. There is no doubt that if asked probably 75% would say it's a completely true story. The movie has though provided great entertainment, and a means for learning English for many. It was interesting to see that a movie unknown by Germans and Austrians so well revered by Chinese and other Asian travellers.

Although I did not find a goat I did complete a walking trek up the hill towards the castle via stairwells and other paths.

 

And most importantly in the afternoon I completed the most important goal. Augustiner Brauhaus. I actually arrived at 2:30pm to find it not open until 3pm. When I returned at 3:15pmI found half the place full. Locals take this place seriously. You grab a stein from the rack on the side (full or half) and then line up to pay. Make sure you clean your stein before then handing your ticket to the barman who fills your stein. I was there during the winter strong bier season. Half was enough for me. Especially as it was breaking my beer fasting due to the cold I had caught. The strong bier was to do me well. Word is they fill it with extra nutrients for lent.

After the beer I got some pork and potato salad, sat down to eat and drink for a while in the 3rd hall. Hall 1 was smoking and Hall 2 was full. My hall barely had any unbooked tables. It did though have a very full Australian tourist who forgot how much his stomach shrinks when he's in tourist mode.

There are no Kangaroos in Austria

Time had come for me to take a 2hr train ride out of Budapest and onto Vienna, Austria. Importantly the move also signalled another significant change. From here I was down to Hostels not Hotels. The Austrian prices and recent move down of the Aussie dollar certainly made this a more understandable decision.

Within 3 hrs of arriving in Vienna I had met up with some of my former couchsurfers. Although not based in Vienna they had made a trip for a concert that night in Vienna. Interestingly it was the band that had been victim to the Parisian attacks in 2015. They were continuing their tour in Europe and this was the makeup concert for the event schedule that had abruptly stopped. My friends had expected to see these guys months ago. Instead they were off to the concert that night, and it coincided with my arrival into Vienna.

Day 2 of Vienna saw me take to the streets in the morning. I followed the map as best I could to follow the circled list of icons. The standard Church, Rathaus, and Museum building collection. By morning tea I was at the next of the major tick boxes for Vienna. I was in the Sachers Hotel having my Vienna coffee and Chocolate Torte.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachertorte

By lunch I was at the Nachmarkt catching up again with my friends being introduced to this area as they too met with other friends during their Vienna trip.

Vienna has it's own version of the ampelmann. Isn't that sweet. Green men like to be led across the road by women.

And don't worry, I looked inside before deciding upon this place for my Wiener schnitzel experience in Vienna. Can't say about the crowd it gets at night though. So enter at your own risk.

Night skiing at the Rathaus.

Austrian Parliament.

Budapest in Winter

By the time I hit Budapest my health had me into management mode. With only a week of the trip expended I though that if I managed the oncoming cold I'd be able to enjoy the remainder of my trip.

Alas what I missed out in Budapest was some of the regional delicacies I had been suggested to partake in. Sometimes it was just easier to skip than others. A giant size Nescafe was never on my agenda but the cool weather made it tempting. But I had already tried a local coffee shop that morning to only find it didn't know what a mocha was.

I took an easy option in Budapest. With 3 nights I took a 48hr hop-on hop-off bus. Again. What was I thinking.... previous travels only confirm I've hardly seen a good one of these. And well after 2 days I would say the value was questionable somewhat. But thanks to the included boat cruise option I would say it was ok. I was though disappointed the buses only operated about 6hrs a day on one of the 2 loops. However it was winter and I guess priced reflected the lower availability.

Plus the combination of bus loops enabled me to avoid having to figure out the public transport system. One less problem when getting sick. I also delivered me to a point for which I would never had thought to try but had read about. The New York Cafe Budapest. This place is described as the place to dine in Budapest. Perhaps my Uncle and Aunt had previously given me a tasted for this experience when I travel. Uncle Cliff, Aunty Gwen if you are reading this. This place is your new goal! The cakes, the coffee, the grandiose of an era gone by.

Travelling around Budapest was quite easy. Stick close to the river is a good rule for most monuments, castles, and museums. I can only suggest you do try to avoid this place in the peak of the tourism summer. Winter was a nice time for me in a way to visit. But it was again a city partly closed by the cold of winter.

By the final afternoon I was getting tired. And well I hadn't actually visited a Budapest spa. This is afterall one of the things to do in Budapest, and I had researched the options beforehand. So I chose Gellert Spa. Located in the 5 star Gellert Hotel. From the websites it looked one of the more glamourous and it did not disappoint.
 

What this photo of the spa does not convey is that you should perhaps try this larger spa first at 27 degrees. Alas I did not. I went straight to the 36 degree hot spa. As a result I was forever the guy trying to walk out of the hot spa to try jump into the not so hot spa. I looked like a big wuss. Would get upto my hips and then scurry out back to the warmth of the other pool. I tried 3 times. In summer the spa also includes some outdoor pools. But at next to freezing the area isn't openned to the public in winter. That I definitely wouldn't have tried.

When flustered there is still time for chocolate

At the time I was leaving Frankfurt there were 2 things I knew. One was I was going to be getting a cold. And the 2nd was if I left early enough there would b plenty of time for a Lindt Chocolate Museum stop in Cologne on the way to the airport.

Alas it was only after leaving the hotel that it all began to turn... The Fly-Train combination ticket I had bought needed a secondary ticket. Only I just realised this when I was at the main station boarding train to Cologne. It was only a mention in sentence of an attachment to an email document to my flight ticket. To click here to download ticket. 

So knowing this and not wanting to be fined by Deutsche Bahn I got off at Frankfurt Airport to sort it out, as I had time. I thought I would merely need to print a ticket. 2 hours later...  I was totally flustered and no better protected from questioning. Deutsche Bahn couldn't print the ticket, Frankfurt Airport Internet was worse than carrier pigeon, and the airline wasn't represented at Frankfurt. Heck I even got a Starbucks coffee only to be told they didn't have a separate wifi.

After 2hrs I had had enough. This was taking my Cologne lunch stop away. I got on a train and then just pleaded my case to the conductors. They saw all the evidence and then just let me be. I explained that both airline or Bahn had led me on goose chase. I suspect I wasn't the first.

Anyway I got into Cologne just after 1:30pm. My international flight was at 6:30pm. I was flustered and getting sick. But my calculations there was still time.

The walk to the chocolate museum took way less time than expected. All good. I was in. And straight to the chocolate wafer lady. And again. And again. Ok now I could think again.

Ah but not rationally apparently as all of a sudden I was placing an order for a personalised chocolate block. 35min wait was now informed to be 45min. Which meant I was cutting fine for my luggage at Cologne HBF in 2hr lockers.

Alas setting chocolate is like a watched pot. How frickin' long. And why did she stop at 745 when my number was 749. That's another 10 minutes right there waiting for the next crop! Eventually it arrived and all in the world came into peace.

And like a courier as soon as package was in possession I was off. Bags collected and onto a local train to Cologne Bonn airport.

International Regifting

A while back I had a couchsurfing guest. When she left she had so much stuff that she wanted to leave behind a gift she had received from a person in NZ. For someone not travelling the gift would have been fine. However to a 20 year old backpacker, with a full backpack, with months of on the road travel through Asia it was just awkward. I guess it was the thought that counts. Carrying around a glassware table display I incorrectly referred to as "the tooth" was not going to happen. She instead attempted to gift the piece onto me. Instead of accepting the gift I promised instead to deliver it to her in Germany on my next visit. After all she is Blonde, and German. And yes as you all know this means I would do anything for her. It is why I'm not a 007 international spy.

Finally I have completed the mission. She asked I not tag her on facebook. She wasn't as excited to have a photo with the sculpture as I was to take the photo. Featuring on my travel blog is totally different!

My first re-named coffee for this trip. Chan!

We had a great day. Walking around Frankfurt. I had seen Frankfurt before. But for some strange reason I suspect I missed some of the historical points. Easy to do in Europe. Go left and you find nothing. Go right and you find marvellous architecture and a grand historical square.

 The evening was devoted to another couchsurfing catch up. Interestingly it had been 4 years since I had hosted the girls. One is now a qualified pilot and a the other an IT consultant. Wowsers. So good to see them all grown up. And well they did catch me out on my memory of what I had done with them etc. At least I took them to Max Brenner. I got that right. And they still remember.

This is the view back to my hotel across the river which looked at this

Some Tim Tams may have been harmed after these meet ups. All 12 packets I managed to smuggle out from Australia have now been distributed. Somehow backpack still feels heavier by the day.

Calling in on London to meet a baby

There's not been much time to plan much in London. After all things just slowed down when there's a new born in the picture. And baby Darcy has all the focus of her dad Darren, and mother Anna.

And well she managed to make a good photo. I'm still scared of holding someone's baby. But did accept the challenge if just for a bit.

Abu Dhabi is a resort for expats

I came to the conclusion that Abu Dhabi is a resort for expats. They are there until the money tap runs out, or they need to get out. For some it just takes longer.

But in the time people are there, to us outsiders the place seems surreal, is unreal. It's one huge holiday in a place of hotels and big meals. I know because my friend Natalie introduced me to her world.

And of note February has been a great time to visit through a stopover. It is actually quite cool and comfortable. As a non Muslim I would avoid visiting in Ramadan anyway. But that period around June is horrendous for weather anyway I'm told.

In Abu Dhabi you find it all. Even South American BBQ

The view from the pool area

This giant size Sharwama lunch led to a food coma combined with jetlag. I loved every minute of it.

White and Gold, and Gold Coffee

Abu Dhabi is another of the surreal cities developed thanks to oil money and extravagant wealth of royalty. Visiting here was always going to be about seeing my friend Natalie, and adapting to the lifestyle that is here. It is surreal. And it is also amazing. The city with it's buildings and hotels are to be experienced if but once.

No running on the square

First off on the tour of Abu Dhabi was the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Everything about this place is grand. It was the number one thing you have to do in Abu Dhabi. It's religious traditions mean that one must be dressed head to toe and women must have their hair hidden. Failing this you are directed to the car park changeroom for gowns. After initially being prevented from joining the 2pm walking tour we managed to join on.

Lots of marble to keep polished

This was my cultural experience, And learning experience. A bit of Muslim knowledge, and plenty about the Mosque, it's construction, and the praying procedures and protocol that goes on. I really appreciated it. It was free, and a real credit to the Abu Dhabi on how they really knew they were there opening eyes to cultural awareness. The Mosque is spectacular. So white, and so much marble, gold, and pearl everywhere.

Incidentally after I was taken the Abu Dhabi Historical Village of Abu Dhabi. I was warned it was the size of a postage stamp. Alas it would seem the stamp has shrunk. It was all but closed for renovation but someone didn't shut the front gates or tell the guards to do so. Who knows what is going on. Perhaps they've got plans to redevelop into a history of Abu Dhabi high rises.  Because here it seems every new building needs to outdo the last for impression. Be it size, shape, or opulence.

Gold leaf coffee. The gold leaf I can't say added much to the coffee

And then it was time for coffee. Sure I like a good coffee. But there are limits. When I think coffee I also think chocolate as I do like a good mocha. Not here though. This is the UAE. Home to oil, and wealth. Wealth that has been converted to gold. So who's up for a gold leaf Coffee.  At about 23AUD a pop it's a once in a lifetime experience to be had.

This was at hotel with a difference. One where you go to see the Gold Vending Machine. Even if at the time it was out of order.

The Gold Vending Machine was "out of order"

This is a a city where everyone sits down and get a photo like you're thinking through world problems with the rich old baron leaders of the middle east.

And then after all is said and done you head off to the highest bar you can find and drink mojitos into the sunset. After sunset I took revenge on the vegetarians by visiting a South American restaurant to prove that is nothing better than cow cooked with just salt and pepper, sliced off a skewer after a golden afternoon and sunset.

My first day here in Abu Dhabi would be remiss not to mention what I have learnt of Abu Dhabi drivers. They're really bad. Not that they can't park straight. They show contempt to even try to park straight. Miss Daisy wouldn't survive here. Angry is just a required deposition to be driving. I am constantly amazed at the concept of driving everywhere here. You cross lanes with abandon. Ignore speed guides masquerading a speed limits. Roads are fast, and dangerous.

And when you stop driving on arrival somewhere you don't just park yourself. Most of the time there's valet parking for that. Which means you just get out of your car and walk away. And that there's is a wait upon exit waiting for all the expensive cars to be stolen away by the multitude of concierge staff required to relocate and recover a car park of cars at a moment's notice.