Visit "The Sound Of Music" Sites In Austria

"The Sound Of Music" was one of my favorite flicks growing up.  My dad was too cheap to buy the actual movie, and I had to rely on my bootleg VHS.   I had watched the movie so much that the VHS ripped from the end of the reel, and every time I wanted to watch it I had to open up the VHS and tape the film together.  Nowadays I have the movie on DVD.

I took a two hour train ride to Salzburg from Munich.  I met a chick named Casey from New York on the train who had tried traveling to Russia without a visa (she didn't think she needed one).  She got stuck in an immigration room for almost 2 days without food until a Russian woman finally helped her purchase airline tickets to Munich.  We decided to tour Salzburg together, while trying to focus on some of the sites from "The Sound Of Music" (thank goodness she was a fan as well).

Our first stop was the Mirabell Gardens, one of the primary locations of the "Do Re Mi" scene.

The Mirabell Gardens is a beautiful garden that is free to enter.  I couldn't help myself by singing "Do Re Mi" while walking around the gardens.

My new pal, Casey, even got into the spirit.  She was asking me, "How should I pose?"  I told her to just hum the song in her head and a fun pose would come out of her...

Also, doesn't she look like Blake Lively?  Blake is totally her Doppelganger.

Do you remember this scene?  When Maria and the Von Trapp kids go running down a garden tunnel?

Well that garden tunnel is still there....and maybe it isn't as lush as it once was, but it still made me go  skipping down it....

Also during the Do Re Mi song, the children visited the hilarious Dwarf Garden.  The Dwarf Garden is filled with borderline creepy dwarf statues.  Some of them have tumors, hunchbacks, and one looked like he was ready to hurl.....

...and you know what they say....when you see a statue ready to hurl, you imitate it....

At the opposite end of Mirabell Gardens was this beautiful entrance where this famous scene was filmed....

Unfortunately, I didn't have the Von Trapp kids to make this shot extra fun, but just imagine them in spirit....

One of the best views of Salzburg is from the Monchberg.  From the Monchberg you get a great view of the Dom and the Festung Hohensalzburg. 

To get this amazing view you can hike to the top, or take an elevator lift for a few euros each way.  It is definitely worth it, and it beats the view from the fortress since you can actually SEE the fortress from this viewpoint!

If I had more time in Salzburg I would have loved to visit the "Sixteen Going On Seventeen" gazebo, and the Von Trapp house.   Just another reason to visit the beautiful Salzburg again!

Date Accomplished:  April 22nd, 2013

The Top 10 Things I Am Most Excited About In 2013

January 17th, 2013

It's been a crazy year thus far, and I have gone full swing on planning for my Middle East and European Vacation that I am taking from March to May.  You know how much additional planning and prep there is to leave for such an extended period of time?  I have to make sure my taxes are done, I have to take a medical certification class a month early because it expires during my trip, I have to make sure all my bills are set up to be paid, and not to mention notifying banks and credit cards that I will be out of the country.   

Thankfully I have an awesome roommate, my brother, who can take care of my house while I am gone, like making sure the mail is checked, saving my most loved valuables in case a tsunami hits, and that my plants are watered.  You know, the usual house sitting duties.

I started off 2013 in San Francisco....

.....where I was arrested for being too awesome.  Actually the pic was taken in San Francisco.... in a porn studio...where I was a broadcasted live on a porn website.  My parents are so proud of me.   Actually they don't know about my porn site debut yet, I will save that for my upcoming appearance on Maury Povich.  Actually, if you believe that last bit then you don't know me well at all.  Actually, wow, I love saying actually. 

I will have to save that story for another rainy sunny (Southern California) day.

But really, 2013 is going to be great.  2012 was filled to the max with so many losses.  I think I wrote more bereavement cards and attended more funerals in 2012 than I did in all my previous years COMBINED!  Not to mention my little bout with cancer....2012 really entered the hall of fame as the suckiest year evaaaaar!

I have so many things to look forward to in 2013, and here are ten of my favorites...

1. Experience Mardi Gras

 (from the berry)

I scored a free flight with my miles to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras!  They had to modify the Mardi Gras dates this year because of the Super Bowl, so thanks to the Super Bowl I am going to Mardi Gras for FREE! 

"Hey CeCe, you just didn't win the Super Bowl, what are you going to do next?"  Go to Mardi Gras BITCHES!!!!!!

2.  Visit the Pyramids

I am going to bloody Egypt, and I am going regardless what the media says!  I think Egypt gets a bad reputation, but I have done lots of reading on other travel blogs and they all say it's safe.  I'm riding a camel, kissing the Sphinx, going on a hot air balloon ride over the dessert, and taking a felucca ride along the Nile River.

3.  Visit Petra

 (from The Planet D)

Located in Jordan, it is not only a archaeological marvel, but also one of the Seven Wonders of the World!  Also if you're a movie buff, then you might also recognize it from Indiana Jones.  I am also looking forward to floating in the dead sea ALIVE and staying at a Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum.

4.  Go on a Hot Air Balloon ride over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia

The minute I first saw a photo of Cappadocia I immediately placed it onto my life list.  While planning my trip to Turkey I begged my friends that Cappadocia had to be one of our stops, and I must be very convincing because I am going!  As an added bonus, our lodging will be inside a cave that Cappadocia is also popular for!  I hope to see Fred, Wilma and Pebbles while in the caves too.

5.  Go Sky Diving

I am conquering great heights this year!  This is something I should have done two years ago.  I have seen several sky diving deals in San Diego, but I really wanted to do it somewhere extra beautiful.  My best friend is getting married in Maui, and what better way to make the trip extra memorable but jumping out of a plane in Hawaii! 

6.  Hike to Neuschwanstein Castle

I have no idea why it has taken my THIRD visit to Germany to finally make it to this castle.  This castle was the inspiration to Sleeping Beauty's castle.  I found a day trip from Munich that takes you on a hike to the castle while hiking through waterfalls, and picturesque landscapes.  I'm seriously contemplating listening to every Disney Princess song on the way up. 

7.  Relax in Santorini

When my friend and I visited Greece in 2007, Santorini was one of those places that we shook our heads and put on our "What we didn't do but should have done list."  So for 2013 we are putting it on our WE EFFING DID IT(!!) list.  

8.  Visit where the hills are alive with the Sound of Music in Salzburg, Austria

(from Isabelle's Travel Guide)

Similar to Neuschwanstein Castle, it has taken my THIRD visit to Austria to finally make it to Salzburg.  I absolutely adore the Sound of Music, so I can't wait to visit this little piece of movie history.  I am already planning on singing, dancing and skipping around the grounds.  I have no shame, remember?

9.  Visit Istanbul

Istanbul is filled with list items, like shopping at the Grand Bazaar, visiting the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, and enjoying Turkish Delights.  I am pretty stoked that this is not my last stop, otherwise I would be taking a huge Turkish rug home with me!

10.  Drive the Road to Hana

Near the end of 2013 I will be enjoying two weeks in Hawaii.  One of things I am most excited to do is renting a car and taking the Road to Hana drive.  It is 60 miles of highway in Maui that is literally carved into the cliff.  During the drive it is highly recommended to make frequent stops to enjoy waterfalls, beaches, and lush forests. 

Honorable Mentions:  Visit Luxembourg (my 49th country!), revisit the beer halls of Munich, travel to North Carolina for a friends backyard wedding,  revisit the Acropolis in Greece, visit a friend in Cologne, Germany, and Visit Ephesus in Turkey.

Wowweee.  I'm exhausted just looking at it all!  

So Cheers....here's to a fabulous 2013!!

Also...like me on my new facebook page...pretty please?

(shameless plug over!)