Backpacking Austria (Part 4)

We travelled East from Durnstein to Melk (Lower Austria) by car, driving along the Danube with the top of the convertible down. It was blissful with the wind in our face and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody on full blast! Now that's a memory to savour... the main attraction in Melk is the Monastery, one of the most imposing architectural masterpieces north of the Alps, and a key building marking the formative years of Austria's history. It's hard to believe this is a Benedictine monastery, when it looks more like a palace from the Arabian nights stories. We paid to go in... dude. It's massive. Melk Abbey dates back to the year 831, whichis pretty astounding. We're talking over 1000 years of existence! The place has undergone many restorations, and they've done an amazing job. I'm beginning to sound like a nerd, arent I.....

On to other things then! I was intoduced to a "Heuriger", a 200-year old Austrian tradition. At a heuriger, regional fayre (normally cold meats, bread and various cheeses) is paired with estate wines, and guests are seated on pine tables and benches in a quiet yard, in the "Heurigen"-restaurant or on a terrace near the vineyard. The Heuriger we went to was an indoor one called Fam. Buder, in Katzelsdorf. Plenty of wine, plates of delicious smoked bacon and ham, salad, spreads, all kinds of fresh bread, more wine, cheese, more wine.... urm... you get my drift!! *hic*

I went to the Heuriger with some newly aquainted friends who are 7/8th Austrian and 1/8 Russian. The Kvasnicka's and their extended family, with children and then some!! P said "goodness, it's turning into a creche!" - I loved every minute of it. Baby Sophia (above) is a little gorgeous bundle of joy. It was an excellent meal, with excellent people, with excellent urm.. did I mention wine already?

The Kvasnicka's have a giant dog called Scottie, one of the highlights of my trip. I walked him in the rain with Mrs. Kvasnicka. I dont think I ever heard him bark... which makes me wonder quite randomly if Austrian dogs bark with a foreign accent.... I learnt to say good dog in German... "gute hund" and "Fort mit dir!" (off you go!) when he was wet and smelt REAL bad.