Salzburg - Sun,and lots of it

Just a brief update this time, as I've only been in Salzburg for a day or so.

I literally havent seen a cloud since my second day in Vienna. Its been nothing but the bluest of blue sky and epic 35 degree heat that sends all us backpacking folk running for the airconditioner. Unfortunately in Salzburg they dont really believe in air-conditioners, you're supposed to just sit by the river and sing about whatever the hills are alive with.

They make up for it, however, in the evening (which starts at about 9 and goes through until 11). The temperature is perfect, and you spend the rest of your day planted in a chair at the local cafè, catching the odd cool breeze and drinking a pint of Stiegl.

Yesterday I went to the Ice Caves. How ice caves existed in this weather was never fully explained to me. The tour we were on was a complete ripoff. We paid 30 odd euro for an hour long bus ride to and from the mountain region where the caves were. No free meal, no rest stops and no AIR-CONDITIONING. Half the bus was in from Saudi Arabia and all of the women had the full on ninja outfit happening, I'm damn surprised noone passed out.

Once the bus had climbed as far as it could, we had a 20 miunte walk up the side of a very steep mountain. We would then get a cable car even further up the mountain, where we could begin our second 20 minute walk even further still. We had to pay 15 euro for the cable car and the Ice Caves too of course, because they werent owned by the tour company. No, they were just charging us 30 euros for the bus ride.

Still, for all the ripping off, it was an awesome trip. The scenery simply defies description. Blue high above, green far below, and a mass of space in between. The Ice Caves themselves werent exactly pretty (there was no artificial lighting other than our lamps) but getting blasted by freezing 95km/h winds on the entrance was the perfect reward for all that climbing.

The only other gripe I had about the day was the other people on our tour. Particularly the 3 kids who complained loudly in toffee british accents about how cold it was, and would hop from foot to foot (which was loud and annoying as hell) to "keep warm" whenever the guides stopped us to talk. About the 5th time this happened, I made three very loud stamps on the floor right next to them then announced in a large voice how much warmer I felt. They stopped after this.

I decided to take the next day off entirely, and spent most of my time at this delightful 1 euro/hour internet cafe. Then in the evening I enjoyed a few beers with some Busabout mates and made plans for a massive night in Munich when we arrive.

So my little solo journey rapidly reaching its conclusion. Its sounding more and more like Contiki wont be nearly as fun, but London will be awesome.