When Attila Met Gudrun: Day 37 - Melk to Vienna - Get It While It Lasts... A Big Loop Through Europe 2017

September 13, 2017

When Attila Met Gudrun: Day 37 - Melk to Vienna

Sun, glorious sun!

After a few drab days we woke up this morning to beautiful blue sky. What a difference that makes. Although most of todays travel was through similar terrain and country that we've had for the last few days, you could now see it and really enjoy it.

Great castles perched on the edge of the river, orchards and vineyards (always like cycling through vineyards!). We even poached a couple of perfectly ripe apples from the trees growing right beside the cycle track. Best mid morning snack in a while!

Poor old Melk though. At around 10 am as were about 15 km south of there, we saw the flotilla, three big cruise boats, heading north. The onslaught continues!

We made really good time today to, helped by a bit of a tailwind, and had 80 km behind us when we pulled into Tulln for lunch. Once again today, the towns on the west side of the river where we were riding were few and relatively far between. Tulln was the largest place we came through and is about 35 km from Vienna. From here on there would be noticeably more traffic, both bike and cars.

There was quite a cool statue at Tulln right along the river. It's quite new (2006) and depicts the (mythical?) betrothment of Atilla the Hun and his wife Gudrun. The fine folks of Tulln say it happened here. No argument from me!

We made short work of the remaining km's into Vienna. Good bike path network right to our hotel / apartment in central Vienna, however K and I both commented on the aggressive behavior of many of the cycle commuters and lycra racers. Invariably the offenders were 20 - 30 year-old men, usually Lycra clad, and probably over caffeinated. Much different city cycling vibe from say Amsterdam, Copenhagen of even Freiburg.

However, we checked into the 'Starlight Suiten Hotel' (good deal and very nice apartment right in the middle of Vienna) our home for the next three nights. We got cleaned up and made plans for dinner.

With the help of Mr. Michelin, we found Yohm, a really good Asian fusion restaurant about a 10 minute walk away. Both K and I were getting a bit schnitzled out and wanted to look for something a bit lighter. We found it.

Strolled around the pedestrian area near St Stephens for a while and then headed back to our hotel.

The hotel is in a fairly new building and our room faces into a central courtyard (don't think nice grassy area, thing staircases and elevator shafts!). Our room was quite hot so we opened the windows into the courtyard, as quite a few other people had obviously done too.

As we're talking and making plans, K and I hear the unmistakable moans and groans of an amorous engagement. Straight out of the classic diner scene from 'When Harry Met Sally", but we were pretty sure this was the real thing. Well, there's today title .. with a nod to the couple from Tulln.

Next up, two days of taking in the sights of Vienna (and a few cakes and coffee!).

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Song of the day:

Harlem River by Kevin Morby

... thanks to our daughter Alison for sending us this dreamy river themed song ... perfect fit