Melk, Austria. . . . . . . .

With cobblestone streets and it's majestic abbey, possibly the most famous 

in Austria, Melk was a highlight of the Danube Valley visit. Built between 

1702 and 1736, it stands on an outcrop rising above the river, resplendent in 

a golden hue, crowned by towers. Originally a royal palace, it has ceremonial 

courts, guest apartments, grand halls and a fabulous library containing 80,000 

exquisite medieval manuscripts (no photos permitted sadly).

View of Melk from a window high in the abbey which was presented to the 

Benedictine monks in the 11th century. The highlight is the Stiftskirche

 "Abbey Church" with a jaw-dropping interior of baroque extravaganza.

The monastic community of Melk is more than 900 years old - it is also a 

prestigious monastery school with more than 700 students.

Leaving misty Melk through the abbey gardens - back to the Danube for the scenic sail to 

Passau, our first stop in Germany.

The onward journey. . . . . .

Since my last post on reaching Vienna, things have been exciting, enlightening and downright crazy!

Since Internet continues to be very sloooow here on the ship . . . . . . oh by the way, 
we are now ensconced on another ship. . . . . . .more on that later, I haven't time to write 
but will just post a few pix here so you can see the lovely scenery we've passed along 
the way as we left Austria and are making our way through beautiful Germany.

Bamburg, Germany

The flooding of the Danube River and Main Canal has caused water to be too high 
to pass under many bridges. Viking had to send another ship to meet us beyond the 
problem bridges, then bus us to the point of the new embarkation - we had to 
pack up and leave the Aegir and join the Lif for the remainder of the cruise.
Tonight we are in Koblenz, Germany, having sailed all day along the 
Rhine River enjoying the beautiful castles and vineyards, and will be heading to 
Bonn/Cologne during the night.

Vienna, Austria. . . . . . .

Vienna has the oldest ferris wheel in the world!  Weiner Reisenrad located in Prater Park 65m high, opened in 1897.

This is just a glimpse of lovely Vienna. This visit included visiting the Vienna Woods.
I'll share more when home again with more time and better Internet on board! 

This is 'social housing' in Vienna!!!

Talk about arty apartments - more later.