Austria Classic Heiligkreuz Hall in Tirol

... it. It was pretty scary to think that they do the jumping in summer when they wet the slope and land on fake grass. In winter, there is at least 30 cm of hardened snow. It actually looked scarier from the bottom than the top. The stadium is also used for concerts in summer and the pope has also held a mass there.

By time we headed home, the rain had started and had set in for the night.

... I had wished that I would be able to get them home in one piece.

We walked down to the Triumphal Arch which was erected in 1765 on the occasion of the wedding of the later Emperor Leopold but his father died during the celebrations so one side depicts happiness while the other is sad. After walking through a modern shopping centre, we walked back to the hotel via a park where the kids happily played until Greg and I were getting too cold.

... a large room and then walked into the old town to have dinner at a restaurant that had Austrian food. The prices seem quite reasonable after Switzerland, but that might be because they are in Euros. I had a goulash which was quite nice but salty. Again German is the language used but most people speak English so we haven't had any problems. It was very cold as we walked home and Tara kept saying, I hope it snows tomorrow (it certainly felt cold enough).

... The scenery was definently worth it, with the Gerlos pass having a lovely Waterfall..the waterfall started a few km's up and was pretty impressive. By the time we had done the second pass it was getting quite late...but not dark yet.
The drive to Innsbruck was via motorways, but scenic enough as we got to our hotel around 7pm..just after dark. We went past the Swarovski Factory on the way into Innsbruck ...

... about these things, and she claims she is but she always gets what she asks for!) and of course he said yes, and that is how we came to stay in a very nice room with free Internet and cozy beds.

Today we walked back to the main square to check things out. It was raining lightly but it didn't stop us from having a good time. We checked out the numerous shops and went to the top of the tower. Lincoln wasn't allowed up so we had to go in shifts. You really only need 15 ...

... well as a crystal on display that is larger than my head. The exhibits in each room vary considerably. In this case I think the pictures describe the museum much better than I can. Once at the end of the museum rooms, the visitor must pass through the showroom and store before leaving the facility. Mom and I had a lot of fun in the store and the men waited patiently for us to decide on ...

... too.
The rest of the tour took us to Linderhof castle and Neuschwanstein castle. What magical looking places they were. Neuschwanstein is the castle Walt Disney uses the sillohette of at the start of his movies. Anyway, after the trip it was back to Munich for a day or so and then on the plane home.

... was not yet open, so we decided to take a stroll through town. It was a Sunday and late in the day so there wasn't anything open, but we enjoyed the scenery and the small-town atmosphere. On the way back to the restuarant we came upon an elderly lady who was in the middle of a confrontation with some local teens. I don't understand much German, but I could easily understand what was happening. The teens ...

Another work conference for my parents brought us to Oberammergau for a week. We stayed in the cutest little wooden cottage - like the whole thing ceiling to floor and including flowering window boxes was made out of wood! Totally picturesque like you've read about in Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Aromatic town bakery. Absolutely enchanting.

Sadly, I dont remember much about Austria. Too bad because I have read so much about it lately as the music and art centre of Europe in the 1700s, I'd love to check that out.
I asked my dad recently if we had been there before. He said, 'oh yes, many times, we loved it'. Hmm, what a pity. I suppose it still counts because the images of scenery must be in my mind somewhere... curse this short memory of mine!