The cruise down the Danube river – back in time

 

 If you could zoom through space in the speed of light, what place would you go to right now?Today, choose a place to which you’d like to be transported if you could — and tell us the backstory. How does this specific location affect you? Is it somewhere you’ve been, luring you with the power of nostalgia, or a place you’re aching to explore for the first time?

DANUBE RIVER CRUISE ,WACHAU VALLEY , AUSTRIA

‘We sat huddled , in one corner of the deck…The weather was brisk. A gust of cold ,icy wind blew over us…..My hair flew with it ….wildly …Every strand , seemingly possessed and having a mind of its own. I carefully caressed them and pressed them behind my ears but they displayed a rebellious temperament ,today , flying into the air once up again ,  then falling  all over my eyes and face . Irritated , I pushed them back forcefully , but, reconciled soon ……

 

The cold winds crept under our clothes and wrapped around us like a wet blanket…But his proximity , brought some warmth , I put my arm around him in a tight grip and gazed around…..The weather mattered no more………

THE AUSTRIAN COUNTRYSIDE – strewn with castles , churches and pretty looking houses and vineyards………..

The splendid beauty of the place , left me spellbound…..As the boat was adrift , the surroundings got more and more beautiful. The green hills rolled on , the Danube , looking so placid…, almost meditative , in its calmness , reminding me of the austere face of a monk, I met sometime ago . Me and my husband exchanged glances and smiled…….Both of us felt blissful and content , watching the Austrian countryside . The hilltops , sprinkled with numerous churches , on either side , had a  certain ‘pacifying’ quality about them , making us feel like excited kids waiting to be mollycoddled.

The ‘schloss schönbühel’  , a 12th century castle , stood majestically , staring at us from a distance. Several other beautiful castles , adorned the surrounding hills , like jewels on a crown ,all adding to the modest grandeur of the Wachau valley . We stood there , truly enamoured of  its splendour !

The vineyards on the other side , only added to the opulence……

Then , having savored the sights and smells of the place , we went indoors to have  to have a hot bowl of soup , to warm our bodies , for our souls were already warmed enough…..’………

At ‘schonbrunn palace’ , Vienna…..

Even today , 8 years since that cruise down the Danube river , I vividly remember that journey and given the choice , would zoom back through time and space , into the Boat , and head to the Melch , countryside to have our lunch……..…

Vienna , as such is a beautiful place , soaked in history . If given a second chance , I would also like to explore Salzburg , the place where Mozart was born and of course who doesn’t remember the ” sound of music” – the classic movie shot in this heavenly place !

Some memories never die , and for me this one shall stay etched in my memory till I pass……………….

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