Day 85

Finally arrived to Lake Achensee, very beautiful. I am in the middle of a huge lake and surrounded by the fjord of the Alps - need I say anymore?

First night Jessica and I arrived at Jenbach train station with no hostel booked and basically no direction other than we want to be by the lake. We asked some bus mechanics where the station was and the pointed to a bus stop. No actual bus station in town so we annoyed them again by asking when the bus would come and if they could help us read the schedule. After much confusion we figured out we missed the last bus of the day. Great, stuck at a shady train stop all night! Finally, I think after looking pathetic enough, one of the guys offered us a ride to town. We accepted and after locating a knife and screw driver (just in case) we got a ride into town.

First night we walked around for a bit and could not find a single hostel. We soon realized no hostel, because there are no youths around! All old couples and families, so the places was filled with hotels and bed and breakfast type places. We ended up taking a hotel for the night - the lady gave us a deal for 25 euro per person for the night. With a really good breakfast by the way.

The next morning Jessica and I ventured to the bottom of the lake by an 8 euro bus ride! Crazy expensive! We walked around... again... finding a place to stay. We found one but it was only for one night and I was planing on staying two. Jessica accepted, and I just got up said a quick bye and walked off. I did not think that was enough time to enjoy the place and was tired of rushing through the towns/cities because she has to be home at a certain time. Especially after all that time and money to get there. So this was for the best, and within seconds I dropped that extra weight and was on my own again!

I found a bed and breakfast, rented a bike and toured through the towns. Taking tons of pictures of the mountains, hills, and waters. The atmosphere of the town is very relaxed. Everyone is intense mountain bikers or hikers. There were a few moments when I was walking on the walking paths that I felt like the Tour De France was going by me. So even though I did not see the real thing, I got close enough in Austria.

My last day in town I was trying to figure out how to actually get out of the secluded area. I went downstairs and asked the young girls that work there. (family business, the grandmother runs the show tho) After going on the computer with them and talking for a bit, their sweet little grandmother brought us puddling! She handed me one too, like I was one of her own- very nice. Vanilla and chocolate swirl!