| Grein to Melk |
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The Danube river with all its splendor and beauty, also has a dark side. In most towns, they have set up flood markers to show how high the river banks overflow. In the town of Ybbs, the river marker shows that a recent flood from August 2002 submerged at least one story of houses beside the river. Its worst on record was in August 1501 submerging close to two stories |
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right: flood markers in Ybbs
below: lunch at Pochlarn
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Past noon, we stumble into Pochlarn where the only place open is a cafe. Finally had a taste of German sausages and goulache - a tomato based soup stew.
We were battling terrible headwinds as we got closer to Melk. You can see the town with its prominent monastery dome visible a few kilometers out.
Upon hitting town, we split into a few scouting parties to look for affordable lodging. We found an older pension for 20 Euros a person, with individual showers and breakfast included.
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Melk's working Benedictine monastery has an impressive collection. Some of the displays are presented with a modern look. Rooms were illuminated in neon colors giving ancient religous objects a sense of modernity. The Baroque church guilded in gold and a marble altar is worth the visit. There is also a huge garden with modern outdoor art. Tonight's dinner is at a Chinese restaurant. It is worth mentioning that Austria has a growing number of ethnic communties - Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Filipinos, etc. As for nightlife, the best we can do was an ice cream cone before retiring.
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top: Melk monastery viewed from town center
below: chuch artifacts displayed in a modern setting
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top: town view from the monastery
below: chuch altar covered in gold
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Return to Biking the Danube Page |
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