On Top of Mt. Untersburg (Salzburg)

A 20-minute bus ride away from the city brought me to the jumpoff site for Mt. Unstersberg. The scenery along the way reminded me of many scenes from "The Sound of Music." And I swear, I could almost hear Julie Andrews constantly heyelowing (Hedoley-hedoly heee hoooooo).
I had to wait for almost an hour before the next cable car came. I grabbed a sandwich and I can't resist trying out their so called finest beer - Stiegel. A friend advised me to always try out the different beers in Europe. So there I was having beer at 2pm in the afternoon while enjoying the cool and scenic place around the area.

The place was so peaceful and amazingly beautiful and relaxing. How I wish I could retire in a chalet like that... with a huge mountain backdrop and a cablecar line running over!




Finally, it was time to ascend. With the peak at 8, 850 meter high, this was the highest cable car link I've ever had in my life. It's a long shot compared to my first kinda-cable car ride which was in Fiesta Carnival in Cubao (nyahaha). And so up, up, and up I went.....

When I got to the top, I was greeted by a spectacular view. And to think that it was such a breeze getting there. Unlike the painful and long rough treks that I have to take in Sagada in order to bask in the beauty of nature from a high altitude.And to top it all, there was a cozy log cabin restaurant which was serving hot food,beer and ice cream! Weird combination huh, but that's what I had as I enjoyed the "here and now" of Unsterburg.

I went around the various trails and made small chats with fellow travellers. However, I spent most of my time up there simply meditating and absorbing the energy from a beautiful unfolding of nature....

 

Beer Over Classical Music (My Salzburg Diaries)

It was almost four in the afternoon but when I got out in the street, I can't see anybody walking around. It was literally like a ghost city with a car or two passing by every few minutes. Is this Salzburg or am I in the twighlight zone? (tuninuninuninuuuuuuuu).

Apparently my hostel was in the modern side of the city where people seem to be always asleep or they're just not there. From behind the old buidlings, I could see the commanding presence of a fortress perched on a hill. And when I checked out my map, it's telling me that that's where I should be headed because that's where the action is.

After walking two blocks, a bustling side of the town slowly unfolded... aahh Salzburg it is. The fresh mountain air was perfect for the ornate architecture but what struck me most was the hegemony of "Mozart" and "The Sound of Music." My senses was suddenly filled with visuals and sounds that bombarded me with the spirit of this musician and this classic movie. Pictures, posters, figurines, banners, pockets of PA systems airing Mozart's music, video displyas looping The Sound of Music...

After crossing the bridge, I found myself in the city's compact center which straddles the Salzach River. The tight-knit network of alleys and squares reminded me of the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast where Belle was walking across the town. The atmosphere was very festive and I liked the blend of modernity and the conscious effort to preserve the old century culture. The streets were lined with musicians playing classical music. It was normal to see people fully dressed up in tux or long gowns apparently walking around prior to going into a concert event which is essentially all over the place. Some of them are in horse carraiges or in bikes! (I can't imagine this scene in Manila with glamarous ladies in flowing gowns but riding a bike).

After going through a maze of alleys I reached the foot of the fortress hill. A cablerail took me up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress. After going around a bit into the museums and courtyards, I finally settled into one of the towers and set up my tripod and camera just in time for the sunset.

I enjoyed a few numbers of a violin and flute recital in one of the fortress' hall before I went down back to the city center. I settled in one of the squares where a huge screen was publicly showing one of Mozart's opera. This was a perfect night I thought. I drank a few rounds of beer (yes Stiegel) and enjoyed the swirl of sensation that combines the cool mountain air, the classical music, and the relaxed people all around me. My night in the square was capped with my most favorite work of Mozart -- Requiem. The thunderous roar of "Dies Irae" haunted me for the rest of the night as I walked back home to rest.....

Berlin Nights on Bike

Two weeks in Berlin made me fell in love with the city. I think it has the right mix of urban and rural elements that excite the explorer and photographer in me. I saw the city from above -- on top of the TV Tower which is one of the world's tallest towers) or getting drenched in the rain on the Berlin Cathedral's rooftop. I also explored it from a river cruise perspective.

Of course there were the endless walks, subways, and trams. But in the end, I realized that the best way to see Berlin (or most other European cities for that matter) is through bike!
And so, with my tripod slinged across my body, bulky camera bag settled in a basket pouch along with my ever dependable large bottle of Fanta, I spent hours and hours criss-crossing the city and exploring its every nook and cranny. The good thing about being a biker is that you have a special treatment -- we were kings of the road! But the best thing about it is that I could just stop anytime and take all the shots that I want of a particular place. I often get frustrated when I see a potential for a perfect shot but because I'm on board a train or a car I get forever deprived of that moment.

A German friend advised me to explore the city late in the evening till the wee hours of the morning. And so, one night, I woke up at 11PM and decided to set out on a bike. The cool air and the almost empty roads (tourist-free!) made the experience really convenient. It felt great cycling like mad and stopping often to enjoy the dramatic light effects casting on the different monuments and architectural wonders. And what I liked most was the fact that I felt really safe. I didn't feel any danger of being mugged or held-up (or raped, haha!) despite carrying around my DSLR. Hmmm maybe I should do this also in Quezon City or Manila! (what do you think).

It was already 3AM when I headed back to the apartment feeling tired, thirsty and very hungry. But as reviewed the hundreds of shots I got that night.... I slept with a smile of contentment and it seemed that my last thought before I finally dozed off was "may pang Facebook na naman ako!"

Brandenburg Gate

A museum... notice that half of the image is just a water reflection in a small lake.

Reichstag Building

Note the Orb!! A friend told me that I captured a spirit in this photo