Went to the Salt Mine outside of Salzburg yesterday. A one time thing to go to, but quite fun. The slides were fun and there was even a boat ride in the salt caverns. Funny that there was an escalator back up down there. They also pass out white uniforms for us so our clothes don’t get dirty; reminds me of the outfits for the TV room in Willy Wonka. The mine itself causes me to recall the one the Delorean was stored in as well as causing me to think that Indy and Short Round would come flying past. The video was slightly odd as we learned about the kind who held the rights to the salt mines that are actually under Germany (we crossed the border 2x underground). The video ended by telling us about the 15 kids that the archbishop (or king) fathered. A lot of fun though.
Pre-story about the journey to the mines: On the train ride there we got off 4 stops too early and had to walk to Hallein for at least a mile and a half (felt like it). Bit annoying but luckily they held the tour for us (the next one would’ve made us late for the bus ride back).
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Salzburg 4/22/10
So we made it back taking the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam and then various trains to Salzburg arriving at 10:30 pm last night. Big relief.
Newcastle, England 4/19/10
Arrived in Stranraer, Scotland yesterday from Belfast and spent the night there at a nice B&B called the Thistle Inn. Small town with a peaceful atmosphere, though I could see how the locals could get bored of it. Ended up in the bar next door run by the B&B with Francesca and Valerie. Got into a bit of karaoke and scored free drinks from the local police who came by to celebrate after a charity football match for someone’s daughter who has cystic fibrosis. The bartender was particularly nice and funny (wasn’t actually the bartender either). He performed Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire and gave us free drinks as well. A Scotish beer I tried was McLachlan’s. A drink mix that the cops (who actually weren’t supposed to be drinking after 5, but they are the law) introduced us to was a Scotch soda called Irn-Bru mixed with vodka. One of the cops drank Budweiser, which prompted me to inquire as to why. He answered that it was the poor man’s Carlsberg. I already enjoy Scotland; the people are hilarious and remind me of Craig Ferguson.
Woke up at 6 am to prepare for the start of our day’s train rides. The “bartender” was even up to see us off (although because we left early we couldn’t get the breakfast). Nicy guy. Luckily we made all our connections from Stranraer to Ayr Station, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and finally Newcastle. Scenary was beautiful. It was here that I found my green fields with sheep and cows. I laughed when I saw a golf course; reminded me of Robin Williams’ tirade about Scotland. I’ll have to come back someday. While walking from one station to Queen Station in Glasgow I didn’t notice any Glasgow smiles on the passersby.
After arriving at our hostel we immediately went to confirm out 16 hour ferry to Amsterdam for tomorrow since we hadn’t been sent confirmation emails and the phone lines were busy. Luckily we are confirmed. I will be much relieved when back in Salzburg; highly stressful each day making some connection or another. Good thing we’re doing this as our 2nd Ryanair flight to Berlin was canceled as Ryanair extended their Monday ban (originally took out our flight to Munich) to Wednesday.
Got lunch after the ferry business. Pizza Hut is a fancy restaurant here, somewhat comparable to CPK. Afterwards I decided to sightsee along the River Tyne. I saw the St. Nicholas Cathedral, Castle Keep and Black Gate before crossing the High Level Bridge. From there I saw the Swing Bridge, and Historic Tyne Bridge. Cool new structures on the river include The Sage Gateshead (a bubble-looking building) and the Millennium Bridge which rotates so sometimes you can’t cross it.
Woke up at 6 am to prepare for the start of our day’s train rides. The “bartender” was even up to see us off (although because we left early we couldn’t get the breakfast). Nicy guy. Luckily we made all our connections from Stranraer to Ayr Station, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and finally Newcastle. Scenary was beautiful. It was here that I found my green fields with sheep and cows. I laughed when I saw a golf course; reminded me of Robin Williams’ tirade about Scotland. I’ll have to come back someday. While walking from one station to Queen Station in Glasgow I didn’t notice any Glasgow smiles on the passersby.
After arriving at our hostel we immediately went to confirm out 16 hour ferry to Amsterdam for tomorrow since we hadn’t been sent confirmation emails and the phone lines were busy. Luckily we are confirmed. I will be much relieved when back in Salzburg; highly stressful each day making some connection or another. Good thing we’re doing this as our 2nd Ryanair flight to Berlin was canceled as Ryanair extended their Monday ban (originally took out our flight to Munich) to Wednesday.
Got lunch after the ferry business. Pizza Hut is a fancy restaurant here, somewhat comparable to CPK. Afterwards I decided to sightsee along the River Tyne. I saw the St. Nicholas Cathedral, Castle Keep and Black Gate before crossing the High Level Bridge. From there I saw the Swing Bridge, and Historic Tyne Bridge. Cool new structures on the river include The Sage Gateshead (a bubble-looking building) and the Millennium Bridge which rotates so sometimes you can’t cross it.
Belfast, Ireland 4/18/10
While stopped here we decided to lunch until our ferry leaves in 5 hours. At Burger King we saw 4 girls run out, one of whom was grabbed by a man and held outside for a good 10-15 minutes. Apparently his daughter ran away with two other girls and the one he grabbed was perhaps a friend. Bit of a struggle as she bit and kicked to get away, but he held her long enough till the cops came and took here away in an unmarked car. Originally we had thought that they stole something from him. Ridiculous scene to see outside the windows.
Walked around a little bit before catching the ferry to Stranraer. The Titanic monument was obstructed from view by a Ferris wheel that they were taking down next to city hall. Been there 2 ½ years as some kind of tourist thing. Odd in a city known for a sinking ship as our cabbie described Belfast.
Walked around a little bit before catching the ferry to Stranraer. The Titanic monument was obstructed from view by a Ferris wheel that they were taking down next to city hall. Been there 2 ½ years as some kind of tourist thing. Odd in a city known for a sinking ship as our cabbie described Belfast.
Dublin, Ireland 4/17/10
Bit of a stressful day (haven’t been this bad since getting to Krakow). I intended to go on a free walking tour of Dublin, but since we had to book ferries and buses in order to get back, I stayed in order to see that through. We only left to try and get a ferry/bus package at Heuston Station (Guinness Factory so close yet so far; reminds me of Wonka’s Factory) and then Connolly both of which failed. Mad day of online bookings, but our final journey is a train to Belfast where we’ll catch a ferry to Stranraer, Scotland then to Newcastle where we’ll have a day and a half before we’re taking an overnight ferry to Amsterdam and then trains to Salzburg after which we arrive at night on Wednesday. I finished the night with a comparison test of Guinness and Beamish at John Lynch’s Swan Bar. Beamish wins (pity it can’t be had outside of Ireland). I wish I had a map with a red line following me on my travels like Indiana Jones. Saw the spire of Dublin tonight (the only sight I’ve really since due to this volcano).
Dublin, Ireland 4/16/10
Not sure if we’ll be able to fly out Sunday due to the volcano in Iceland that’s spread ash across Europe. More smoke than 9/11 and Europe hasn’t seen this much smoke since WWII. According to Axelle, Ireland has been cleared tomorrow and I saw on the news that the UK is cleared at 7:00 am. Worst case there’s a ferry from Dublin to Paris and London to Amsterdam. Long as we get to the mainland with trains we should be fine. 3rd time in Dublin is the "charm."
Cork, Ireland 4/15/10
Took the bus to the Blarney Castle 8 km away, home of the Blarney Stone renowned for giving the “gift of gab” to those who kiss it. Winston Churchill falls into the list of renowned orators who kissed it. I’d heard beforehand that the locals piss on it so I was tempted to flip and coin, but ended up just kissing it. It’s an odd experience: The stone is on an overhand at the top by the floor, so they hold you, while you grip iron poles, bending over backwards to kiss it over a grated hole. Slightly reassuring that they have Windex or some cleaning agent and wipes on site. Afterwards we toured the grounds which were peaceful. Kinda reminded us of the Village as Val put it: walls and woods bordering. There were green fields as well surrounded by the trees.
Back in Cork we visited the Cork Butter Museum and learned more than we needed to know about how important the butter industry is to Ireland. Kinda a waste but hopefully we get reimbursed (Update: we didn’t). Afterwards we went to the Church of St. Anne Shandon right by our hostel. We got to climb up its clock tower known as “the four-faced liar” on account of all the times being slightly different on its faces. This is due to some of the clock numbers having been made of thicker wood than others so the hands stick, except at the hour when they all come together. The inside reminded me of Back to the Future as I don’t normally see the insides of clocks. We also got to ring the 8 bells (a full octave) and use them in sequences to play songs thanks to the sheet list provided (Amazing Grace, Walzing Mathilda). Great view of Cork from the top; it’s bigger than I expected.
Tried Beamish Irish Stout as it was brewed here before Heineken took over the factory. I’m in love with stouts, it’s official. Murphy’s is apparently less bitter than both Beamish and Guinness. Sweeter as well (so says Wikipedia). The foam is the best. Funny: Murphy’s is mentioned as a distant cousin of the milkshake, which goes along with Eric Anderson’s perception of what Guinness looks like.
Back in Cork we visited the Cork Butter Museum and learned more than we needed to know about how important the butter industry is to Ireland. Kinda a waste but hopefully we get reimbursed (Update: we didn’t). Afterwards we went to the Church of St. Anne Shandon right by our hostel. We got to climb up its clock tower known as “the four-faced liar” on account of all the times being slightly different on its faces. This is due to some of the clock numbers having been made of thicker wood than others so the hands stick, except at the hour when they all come together. The inside reminded me of Back to the Future as I don’t normally see the insides of clocks. We also got to ring the 8 bells (a full octave) and use them in sequences to play songs thanks to the sheet list provided (Amazing Grace, Walzing Mathilda). Great view of Cork from the top; it’s bigger than I expected.
Tried Beamish Irish Stout as it was brewed here before Heineken took over the factory. I’m in love with stouts, it’s official. Murphy’s is apparently less bitter than both Beamish and Guinness. Sweeter as well (so says Wikipedia). The foam is the best. Funny: Murphy’s is mentioned as a distant cousin of the milkshake, which goes along with Eric Anderson’s perception of what Guinness looks like.
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