Day 13 : (Call Me) The King Of The Mountain

Determined not only to see the sights, but also hit the heights, this morning we set off for a trip to Untersberg, the highest mountain near to Salzburg. There is a cable car that goes close to the 1853M summit, so after a crowded bus ride with students on end-of-term excursions we duly arrived in Grodig and took the cable car trip. It was very spectacular, travelling above the clouds and taking in breathtaking views. As far as I know, there is nothing comparable in Australia. After getting off, we hiked the remaining couple of kms to the summit : posed for a photo, admired the views we could see through the clouds below, then made our way back to the cable car and then the ground. We then caught the bus back, stopping at the Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains. This area was a retreat for the ruling Archbishops of Salzburg and was built in the 1700's with trick water fountains to entertain the guests and other water driven features, as well as the residential Palace. The young children there were thrilled with the water and where thoroughly wet by the end. Up to now we had endured the occasional shower of rain, but after we left Hellbrunn it really poured and has done so for the past five hours. We took refuge in one of the local bars for a few drinks and dinner in the hope it would ease up, but ended up catching the bus home for a quiet night. Hopefully tomorrow we can get some fine weather and see the Mozart museums and other sights.