Day 18 Christmas Eve

After Breakfast we decided to do the laundry at a laundry mat and also to get food for Christmas Day.
Jason, Katie, Greg and I hefted our bags just over 1 km to get them clean as the hotel were asking a lot.  It took 1 1/2 hours....so much cleaner and modern than the ones at home.  we even had a coffee or hot chocolate for 1 euro....out of a machine...it even dropped a spoon in at the end.  The machines are fully automated and include the powder, softener in the price. So instead of costing 450 Euro it only cost us 25 euro = WIN!!

Duncan, Terri and Evan went and bought finger food and drinks for our lunch or dinner for Christmas Day as not many places would be open.....

We met back at the hotel about 10.30 and headed to the info centre just over the road at the train station.  Terri & Duncan had already been in for some info and wanted us to check it out and be happy with her ideas.  We decided for today that we would get the Hop ON Hop Off bus ( much to Jason's disgust which we now called the Ho Ho Bus)  and we would see as much as we could .  Evan Greg and Jason would get off and do their thing as they weren't as interested in the sound of Music things like us females.  We also bought the Salzburg ticket for Christmas day as this would give us free Bus rides and also entrance into many things for free.  We also booked our Boxing day excursion for a day trip into the country for a horse and sleigh ride.

Once all that was done we could start the day. Duncan went off to do his own thing.  We waited for the bus.  Photos with Jason in front of the bus as he really didn't want to do this.  We listened to the commentary on channel 2 but then learnt that if we wanted the sound of music commentary we needed to change to channel 10....Katie Terri and I did!!! Evan lasted one stop he preferred to listen to Mozart.
Was wonderful to get the special bits to do with the movie and see the places.  Can't wait to watch Sound of Music again.

We stopped at a few places  for photos but this was one slow hop on hop off bus that we got off at the zoo.  We then learnt that Jason had fallen asleep..I think to prove his point!!!! lol
The boys went off and us girls walked into the Christmas markets and wandered...mainly for something to eat and drink.  Finally found something.  After we found the Pavilion they used in the movie for the 16 going on 17 song.
We wandered through the park and then back through the markets, where we saw some farm animals before going into an area with fountains .  Nearly got locked in as they were shutting everything as being Christmas Eve, its their big day.  back to the bus stop and Katie has lost her ticket!!  Not long after Jason and Evan join us.  Greg's gone missing.  Found out he has gone back to the hotel.  Evan and Jason got off not far down the road to continue their travels.... We girls headed back into the Old City and meandered through the Christmas Markets, Stopped and watched children ice skate....and found some rather nice donuts before heading back to the hotel walking through the little alley ways and then following the river.   Back at the hotel we waited for the boys to turn up and then got ready for our Christmas Eve dinner at the Sister Hotel to the one we are staying in .

Evan and Jason's Travels
After leaving the girls at the Sound of Music Pavilion the 3 of us ended up in the Christmas markets. I was after food and toilet and Greg wandered off not sure what he was looking for. Did not take long and he was lost to the crowds so Jason and I decided to leave the markets and find more interesting things to explore. We wandered around the gardens taking photos of the statues and ponds. We amused ourselves by watching a white swan walking on the ice until he fell through with a cracking of the ice. He was very graceful crashing through the ice and slowly trying to reach the water before swimming off. We then looked around for the highest point and noticed a building on the hill and headed up in the general direction. Very step path and thought Greg would not have appreciated our hike. Once on the top great views over looking farmland and mountains. Then noticed a higher point and went up there also more great views.

On our decent found a map that showed and amphitheater off the map didn't no how far but decided to pick up the pace and head off. We came across a set of steps descending down into what looked like an old quarry which we presumed was the amphitheater.

Once down it was an amazing labyrinth of caves and steps carved into the granite rock face we thought it the high lite of the day. Checked the time of the next Ho Ho bus and quickly took off back to the Sound of Music pavilion before getting back on the bus with a few minutes to spare when we met up with Terri, Sharon & Katie but no Greg. Sent Greg a message and he was back at the hotel enjoying a beer.

 On the bus and Jason and I decided to get of at the next stop to wander around. Passed a cafe that sells beer and thought it would be a great stop. Exited the bus to find out being Christmas eve they were shut and it was a private function. We were at another palace which was also used for the sound of music. Decided to walk back to the previous stop and check out all the villagers that surround the area. Back on the bus and got off this time near Mozart's walkway over the river.

Had a wander then walked back to the hotel to get ready for our Christmas eve dinner.

We were to be driven by taxi to another hotel because the one we were staying in did not have enough people wanting Christmas Eve dinner. It was a short drive to there sister hotel & Symphonie Restaurant. This was a 5 star hotel that looked out over the river Salzach.

When we arrived at the hotel we were welcomed is there lounge area with a glass of champagne the only included liquid for the whole night. It was a silver service and a seven coarse meal. It was more classy than the hotel we were staying at so it was a special night. As I said no liquid was supplied so we had to pay for all the water, wine, beer & coffees the cost was 170 euro. After dinner Terri & Greg caught the taxi back to the hotel, Sharon & Katie to midnight mass, Duncan just wandered and Jason and I walked back to the hotel.

Duncan stayed with Katie and I until the masses started moving to the doors.....it was like trying to get through the doors to Boxing Day sales in Myer!!  So rude and what we both thought thoroughly disrespectful behavior for a church.  People pushing right pass you and cramming in on both sides and then running and pushing to get a pew.   We walked fast and managed to get a pew to sit down.  Once all the seats were taken we stated to see older women standing and no one offering them their seats.....Katie was first to give hers up and not long after I did...to thank yous and Merry Christmas. We felt much better about ourselves once we did!!  We had a choir sing and then the procession of the priests and then all the hoopla in German....we also had a pipe organ playing and a orchestra up in the balconies behind us.  It  started at 11.30 ...we lasted to 12.30am....Katie because of the red wine from Dinner, Me because of my very cold feet!!
Walked out and straight away got a taxi...five mins later ( driver thought he was in the Indy 500) back at the hotel.  Up in 5 1/2 hours...night night