The Eagle’s Nest

Summary

The article recounts a day trip to Berchtesgaden, where the author enjoyed therapeutic thermal baths and attempted to visit the historical Eagle's Nest, ultimately indulging in local cuisine and beverages.

Abstract

The author describes a challenging yet enjoyable day in Berchtesgaden, beginning with a scenic bus ride along the River Salza to reach the thermal baths. Despite physical discomfort from previous activities, the author found rejuvenation in the baths' various pools and therapeutic features. The group's plan to visit Hitler's Eagle's Nest was thwarted by snowfall, leading to an impromptu mountain hike. The day concluded with a hearty meal at a local Hofbräuhaus, a lively bus ride back to Salzburg, and preparations for the next day's journey to Vienna.

Opinions

The author expresses admiration for the beauty of the River Salza, likening its color to copper.
The thermal baths are highly praised for their recuperative properties and diverse offerings, including an outdoor pool with a waterfall and bubbling features.
The author was looking forward to visiting the Eagle's Nest for its historical significance related to World War II.
The unplanned mountain hike was a positive experience, indicating the author's adventurous spirit.
Enjoyment of the local Hofbräuhaus and its offerings, such as the local beer and weiner schnitzel, is evident.
The author humorously notes the loudness of Austrian children on the bus and their fortunate timing in avoiding a crowd at the thermal baths.
There's a playful mention of using the need to finish the peach brandy as an excuse to drink, suggesting a light-hearted approach to the trip's indulgences.

We almost made it.

The Eagle’s Nest. Photo thanks to Erelio lizdas

Today, we woke up early and remembered to have breakfast before we headed off on a bus to Berchtesgaden. I didn’t know how I was going to manage it as my legs were cramped from the ice caves yesterday and my knee cap had slipped, but I donned walking socks and knee guard and set off. The bus took us along the banks of the River Salza. As we were going upstream, it decreased in width and became the most beautifully-coloured, babbling brook I have ever seen. Such a beautiful shade of green caused by the salt but it reminded me of copper.

The view from Berchtesgaden. Photo by author

We hopped off at Berchtesgaden and found the thermal baths whose recuperative properties are known worldwide, and I sure needed some of those. We signed up for 4 hours during which time I tried every pool: my favourite being the outdoor pool with waterfall, spas, and great huge bubbly things that erupted from the floor of the pool and lasted only for a few minutes during which time you had to try to keep your feet firmly planted and not lose your balance. I loved those!

And the waterfall gave a strong shoulder massage and I even managed to hang onto the side and stick my feet under for a foot and calf massage- greatly needed! I finished up with the solegrotte (fancy dark steam room with twinkly lights like stars on a dark ceiling) and the tepidarium (dry heat like a sauna but not as hot but had hot granite slabs to lie on to further aid my sore muscles. )

A few hours of rest and recovery after the most physically challenging day yesterday was just what we needed. We walked down to the cable car station to go up to Eagle’s Nest — Hitler’s infamous meeting place. Keeley was looking forward to finding more about World War 2, but the cable car wasn’t operational today because of the heavy snowfall. There was no way we weren’t going to walk to the top of the mountain!

As tempting as it was to leave our togs on, we completely undressed and dressed warmly before heading off to find some late lunch/early dinner. The local Hofbräuhaus was the perfect choice.

Weiner schnitzel. Photo by author.

We drank the local beer (of course!) and ate a huge plate of weiner schnitzel. We shared the bus ride back to Salzburg with some extremely loud Austrian kids. (We had escaped the thermal baths just as a multitude of them were entering!)

Enjoying a beer. Photo by Keeley Schroder

We called in at the local shopping centre on the way back to the hotel to buy a few essentials, had another long bath and washed my salty hair, drank the rest of the peach brandy so I don’t have to carry it tomorrow. This seems to be our standard excuse for drinking! It didn’t seem alcoholic though because I believe I have typed this faultlessly but there’s probably a lot of funny things I’ve left out. Off to Vienna tomorrow…