We started the day bright and early at the salt mines...literally. We went to Salzwelten (translated "salt worlds") at Hallein, got suited up, hopped on a little tram and went deep into the mountain.
Then we went down some wooden slides on our butts (in our specially protected outfits) all snuggled up next to each other and screaming like kids. The 1st one was 27 meters long and the next was 42 meters.
We crossed a "leaching pool" in a boat at one point and saw a replica of a Celtic man who had been founds in the salt deposits, well preserved for 2,500 years.
We toured the adjacent replica of a Celtic village--the Celts were the first to mine salt in the area.
Then we drove on to Berchtesgaden and had lunch. Finally I found a place serving weizwurst (white sausage) which both Roberta and I ordered, and now felt I had sampled most of my remembered favorite foods.
We walked around the picturesque town--everyone has overflowing flowers boxes in their windows or hanging from their balconies.
Back to the hotel in Salzburg to regroup, and then all of us except Hal headed back into town to visit Mozart's birthplace.
After that, I think we were rather "museumed out" for the day and we split up. Anne and I wandered through town
so I could take a couple more pictures of doors and signs as well as some pretzels shaped like instruments in one shop window...
then we walked up this incredibly steep and winding road
to a church
and came back down to the river in time to meet up with Hal, Roberta and Tim for dinner. In spite of earlier clouds and a bit of rain, the evening was beautiful and we sat outside for Italian food, although still had German wine and beer.
A special "Thank you" to Tim Kirby for masterfully driving us around in the VW Vanagon, with Roberta Zald's navigational assistance ;-)
Tomorrow we are off to Passau to meet the boat.
Tomorrow we are off to Passau to meet the boat.