World Austria Tirol Kitzbühel

Europe 2009

Krimmler Waterfalls and Gala Dinner Sep 19, 2009

Not such an early start today, the bus for the waterfalls did not leave until 10am. Just as well, as there is no air conditioning in the room at this hotel, and it was too hot to sleep, I think I finally nodded off at about 3am. On the plus side, that did give me a chance to pack up my bags, as there will be no chance to do it tonight after the Gala dinner, and I am heading up to Bavaria, Germany, tomorrow morning.

The Krimmler Waterfalls were about another hour's drive away from Kitzbuhel, on the other side of Mittersill. They are Austria's highest waterfalls, and the fifth highest in Europe. There is also a heck of a lot of water flowing through! We got to the falls around 11.30, and the weather was fabulous, easily the nicest day we have had in Austria, sunny and clear. That meant the sun was shining full on the falls when we were there, lighting up the waterfalls and the spray - had an extra shower this morning... Fantastic sight!

Something that happened on the way to the waterfalls, we saw some farmers bringing their cows down from the high summer pastures to weather the winter indoors. The cows are dressed up with fancy bells and headdresses when it has been a good season, and this happens only one day a year - today was the day! Apparently the farmer leading the group down also has some schnapps in his bag, and shares with bystanders as they pass by. The farmers all had their best lederhosen on, and flowers on their walking sticks. The cows looked pretty tired though, they start out in the small hours of the morning. One of the English ladies with us wasn't totally thrilled to see them, she was on the tour three years ago, and never got to see the waterfalls because they were held up by the cows! We only met a couple of herds this year, though.

After our walk up the hills to the observation areas, we all got back on the bus and went into Mittersill for kaffee und kuche, at a bakery that Ilse tells us is one of the best around, and that people come from miles around to have their wares. It WAS really good!

Then it was back to the hotel to get dressed up for the Gala, being held back at Kristallwelten, in a dining room under the giant. Wattens is a little more than an hour from Kitzbuhel, so the bus left at 5.30. Had a welcome drink in the store and member's lounge (had an opportunity to do a little after-hours shopping, but I am already carrying a small mountain of little blue boxes, so I just looked at the pretty sparkles...), then it was dinnertime.

Dinner was lovely, there were speeches and an auction of a very limited-edition piece, also a prize draw, but I didn't win anything. I did get to meet Marcus Langes Swarovski, one of the heads of the company. My new Dutch friend, Angel, has been calling him 'Mr Beautiful' the whole trip, and she was not wrong. Not only is he very easy on the eye, he is so nice to everyone.

It was a special evening, but a little sad, as we knew that we were all going our separate ways in the morning. Still, I have made some new friends in Canada, the Netherlands and Belgium, and I know we will keep in touch.

Ha, and there was one more wee blue box handed out as we arrived for the meal, it is a teardrop paperweight with the date of the journey inscribed on it. And waiting in the room when I got back was a thank-you note from Swarovski, telling me they will send out a CD with the trip photos on it (we have had our own paparrazi along for the ride), and a decorative pin, which is specific to this trip. It was a nice final touch.

Tomorrow, on to Fussen in Bayern, to see some castles!