Salzburg - what we did and how we did it

I've been to Salzburg more times that I could recall here, but I've never stayed overnight. There were plans to once, but Frank put a firm end to that by nearing dying - so I was looking forward to spending some time in this glorious town. 

So where to stay? Anywhere near the old town. We were in the Rechte Altstadt (right old town) near Mirrabella Gardens and it was a lovely 10 minute walk down a cobblestone street to the river. We stayed in a semi budget hotel called NH Salzburg City - great location and I'd recommend it for the price.

Where to eat? Any wurst stand in town. At the old brewery Die Weisse for classic Austrian (one of the best meals I had on the trip). Wasserfall was a lovely change from all things germanic (Italian) and Die Alter Fuchs was great for atmosphere.  The restaurant at the the Museum of Modern Art, M32, was outstanding. Get the lunch time special for a two course deal.

What do do? Wander around the old town and eat strudel, drink bad coffee, and take in the atmosphere and wonderful architecture. A great people watching spot is Carpe Diem - food looks good and the coffee was okay.  There are some interesting galleries. The Rupertinum in the old town is worth a look in, and the walk up Monchsberg provides stunning views and the modern art gallery once you get up the top is amazing. Go in the morning and stay for lunch at M32. If you are around on a Thursday, try and get to the farmers market near Mirrabella car park. It was operating in deep snow and had great produce and amazing krapfen (jam donuts)

Whatever time of year you find yourself in Salzburg, you'll love it. A small town with enough to see - but not so much that you get to take your time and relax. 

Making seafood

And eating it.

Prawn cocktail, ceviche scollops, seared tuna with ginger and mirin dressing, garlic prawns, oysters with soy and vinegar, calamari stuffed with pine nuts, tomato, pimento and parsley, and mussels cooked in prosseco. All washed down with a 12 year old Clonakilla riesling while listening to a soundtrack of Bill Hayley and the Comets (and who that Frank saw them live in Sydney in 1956!). 

10 reasons why Graz is a lot better than was the last time I was here #9 LKH

Sometimes my Dad's a real shit, but that doesn't mean I don't love him.

Like the time he told me he had the VW Golf I was looking to buy checked over by a mechanic. First day I drove it, the thing broke down. As it did consistently throughout my ownership. Turns out it was a marine mechanic that gave it the once over.

Or the time I was ten and he took me to an oval full of flowering clover while I had hay fever and subsequently yelled at me for rubbing my eyes red raw. 

Or the time when he took my childhood friend Pippin to the vet. I was 18 and I said don't get him put down, whatever you do because I wanted to say goodbye...you can guess what happened there.

Or the time he spelt my name wrong. As in, replaced the "I" with and "E". K A R E N.

But sitting in that ward for nearly two weeks gave me a lot of time to think and a lot of time to be thankful. And a lot of time to be grateful to the Drs and nurses at LKH, because without a doubt they pretty much saved my dads life. 

They also helped me feel like I was part of an Austrian Grey's Anatomy. I'll remember  forever the good looking Drs and nurses, the pretty flowers in the place I'd like to sit to get away, the guy begging at the stairs who I'd share my lunch with, everyone saying hello to me and so many people stopping to talk. I'll also remember the hundreds of people smoking! I've never seen so many people smoke at a hospital!

Most of all, I'll remember the men on level 5, room 13. They were always so welcoming, chatty and generally happy to see me. I just ended up being part of the gang during what was a traumatic time for most of them. I got to see all sorts of things I shouldn't, answered lots of questions about Australia, and watched them encourage my dad (and each other) every single day. Wasn't exactly the holiday I expected, but since there has been a bit of time between then and now, I can appreciate it as a memorable experience all the same.

Things I saw before and during as I visited you today (Sunday, 2nd week)

Things I saw before, during and after I visited you today (Saturday, 2nd week)