Mini moon | Badgastein (Part 1)

I can't believe I have not blogged about our mini honeymoon!

I have mentioned before, but a few years ago I went for a trip with Marketa to Austria, deep in the Austrian Alps and whilst we enjoyed ourselves tremendously, it was a little awkward cos we were constantly surrounded by either lovey-dovey couples staring into each others eyes during the romantic dinners, or we were surrounded by happy families; imagine the same lovey-dovey couples with cute, well behaved kids. I mean, their kids are cute, good looking and well behaved (yes they do co-exist). And good-looking like their lovey-dovey parents. Geez we were wondering what's going on around us. When we left, we promised each other we would take our partners back here "so we can also be like one of those lovey-dovey couples..."

http://belindagoeslondon.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/glimpse-of-heaven-part-1.html

To be honest, that was just an excuse to come back because this place is just bursting awesomeness. It is a spa hotel nestled in the Austrian Alps, in the waterfall town of Badgastein. It is full-board so all meals are included, and mind you, each meal is super healthy and yummy - all organic stuff no less. We hardly spent a cent there other than paying for our hotel room. The owner Evelyn is such a down to earth and friendly person, you hardly feel she is the owner if you didn't ask. The best thing is that people travel far and wide to stay here mostly by word of mouth, and they thrive on repeat customers. Seldom people go once; they keep coming back. I know I'm making it sound a little too good to be true, but... it's true!

I sold this heavenly place to K and hearing that it could be a do nothing chillax trip, he agreed and so I proceeded to book a room with a valley view for us both, and told them it's our honeymoon so we would appreciate if they could do something special for us. We set off on an afternoon flight to Munich and slowly made our way to Badgastein. The journey was a long one because mind you, we were going into the heart of the Austrain Alps. K grumbled along the way because if we think about it, we took... 1.5h to get to Stansted airport, 2h for the flight, 45min to get to Munich train station, 3.5h to get to Badgastein where we would be met with a porter to bring us to the hotel nestled in the mountains, another 20min car ride. When we finally got there, it was pitch dark and we were exhausted to say the least. I kept reassuring K that "it's worth it, it's worth it!"

The hotel kindly kept dinner for us, and so we settled down and had a glass of wine each before they served us our food. We then checked into room 52 and slept rather soundly after taking a warm bath. The next morning, I opened the curtains excitedly and ... lo and behold! That awesome view again! And not only that I realised we were back in the same room which I shared with M! I guess my lucky number must be 52... :)

3 years ago

3 years later

K was marvelling the view laid in front of him. He loves nature and to be nestled in the mountains looking down at the valley was just... indescribable.

Good morning Badgastein!!

Room 52

The good thing about this hotel is that they organise daily trips to someplace nearby. Being in such an environment, it's mostly hiking/ walking trips to either a nearby mountain or a nearby national park. On the first day, they organised a trip to a mountain nearby. We were told we would be taking a cable car up 2,000m and then hike around the area. They would arrange transport to and fro, but you would need to pay for the transport provided. For those who have their own cars, they could follow the hotel's mini bus closely. And they also have an in house guide who spoke mainly German but could do with basic English. Most of the guests are German speaking being Austrians and Germans. We were the only two Asian people there!

On our way to the cable car station, 20min car ride away

Arriving at the cable car station

There was a lake with a water spout in the middle of it up on the mountain. We split up into two groups to hike around the area but agreed to meet back at the station in 45min to travel back to the hotel in time for lunch.

We could either go down via the same cable car ride, or via a mountain cart. K decided to choose the cart. He chose his cart, helmet and gloves and together with 8 others from our group they raced down the mountain.

Off they went, down the winding mountain roads

That's the route

After 45min, K was covered with dust but had a huge grin on his face

On our way down. Ready for lunch!

Midway down the mountain

We had a leisurely lunch back in the hotel which is a free flow yummy salad bar and went back to the room for a snooze and then a massage session (yay).

Dinner time was the special item they hotel had arranged for us. They told us they would serve us dinner in their chimney room with a special table and so we waited a while before they brought us to our table.

Needless to say, dinner was another yummy affair. I always wish I have a bigger stomach when I'm at this place.

We adjourned to the Reading Room after dinner with our unfinished wine and here you can see K in a comfortable position reading his 10cm thick book. (I don't know why but all his story books are like 10cm or more and follow him faithfully on most trips we take.)