Train Ride To Salzburg

Today we took the train to Salzburg. The Bad Gastein train station is actually just a short walk up the mountain from our hotel so super convenient. The train definitely isn't the fastest way to travel but is super easy. You show up moments before the train, get on and get off at your stop. They serve food, you pick your own seats. We spent the three hours reading the Lonely Planet guide deciding what we wanted to do while in Salzburg and taking in the beautiful scenery. The train literally weaves through the mountains and small ski towns.

My shoulder was okay. I wore the sling throughout our trip, although had to switch winter coats with Chris so that I could zip a coat around my arm.

We have also been able to skype with Savannah and talk to my parents on the phone, which has been great. My mom has even agreed to extend her trip in Dubai, since I am going to need help taking care of Savannah when we get back!

Skiing...Day One (and Only)

Today Chris and I headed out skiing. The weather was cold and the scenery was beautiful. Unfortunately, this is the one and only day that I went skiing. After a fun afternoon out, I fell. I had fallen throughout the day but this time I guess I fell just awkwardly enough that I ended up breaking my shoulder in three places. Instead of continuing our day on the slopes we took a taxi to the nearest emergency room and had x-rays taken instead. The emergency room fitted me with a very unfashionable sling and told me to have it x-rayed again in three weeks.

We actually sent a text to the doctor who delivered Savannah and asked him if he could recommend an orthopedic surgeon. He responded immediately, and instead of waiting three weeks, we will see the doctor in Dubai right after the holidays.

Of course this was our fist full day in Austria, so we had to rethink some of our plans. We will do a little more sight-seeing than skiing! But are still having a great time and making the most of our vacation.

Day One...Austria

Last night we arrived at our hotel in Bad Gastein. We ate dinner at Jagerhausl, a restaurant just below our hotel. There is a picture of the restaurant which was probably one of the best places we ate during our entire trip. They served good beer and wonderful traditional Austrian food.

Bad Gastein is located in the Hihe Tauern National Park. The entire town is basically built into the mountain side so there are incredible views from every angle. The town seems quite quiet for being the week before Christmas. We asked a few people where everyone is and evidently the high season starts December 26th, so many of the restaurants and hotels have just reopened for the season.

There is also not a ton of snow. The locals also told us that this is the first year in many that it didn't start snowing in November. They are making snow on the ski runs but evidently not all of the run are open just yet. The local restaurants and hotels are all hoping for a big snow storm!

Savannah, Nana and Granddad

Today starts the first day of Savannah, Nana and Granddad time! My parents agreed to come to Dubai and stay with Savannah for a week, while Chris and I went to Austria for a ski/winter vacation!The three of them had a great week playing at home, going to the beach and swimming at the pool. Here are some pictures from their fabulous week together!

And We're Off...

This morning Chris and I left for our trip to Austria. We are staying in Bad Gastein, a small ski town outside of Salzburg. We flew from Dubai to Berlin, with a VERY long layover at the worst airport we have ever seen (basically a warehouse with one bookstore and one restaurant, at least they served beer and snacks). Five hours later we we were off to Salzburg. We then took a shuttle bus to our hotel.

Little did we know that the planes in both Berlin and Salzburg did not pull directly up to jet way and we had to walk outside (in the freezing cold). Had we known this slight feature, we might not have packed our winter clothes and coats in our checked luggage!

Taking Nana and Granddad to the Beach

Today Savannah and I took my parents to the beach. We usually go to Sunset Beach as it is close to home, usually uncrowded and has great views of the Burj Al Arab. Savannah is thoroughly entertained by the sand and running down to the water and back. She is also starting to notice the seashells, so we have started a collection in a vase at home. Since it is a Thursday, Dad couldn't go to the beach with us but Savannah had lots of hugs for him when he got home from work.

Santa Attempt Number Two...

Tonight my parents, Savannah and I went to dinner at the Noodle House inside the Madinat Jumeriah Hotel. It was great to eat outside on December 14th! The patio was overlooking a "winter wonderland" The "winter wonderland" was basically some white lights, Christmas trees and red bows but all very beautifully decorated. Of course it included Santa Claus as well. Savannah seemed interested in Santa (from afar) so we thought we would give it another try. Again, she did not want anything to do with him or stuffed animal gift.

Tis the season!