15 May
Day 5 (Krems to Freizeitzenprun 50 km)
Vineyards day
Today we were up by 5.30. It was cold and windy. Weather was partly cloudy. We had breakfast at the camping ground. Got some beans and noodles from the supermarket and started our ride. The road runs through tiny villages and vineyards. It was heavenly beautiful. Its was of gradual ascends and sharp descents. Though I had little soreness in my legs, the view made me forget about it. It was overwhelming experience for me. I regret that i just cant share that peculiar smell of countryside and chirping of birds with you. It was far more beautiful than I saw on YouTube videos. I felt really happy about myself that i could peddle up those hills. Felt immense gratitude for my body and my eyes, through which I see this beautiful world. In the afternoon Avinash spotted a lovely place to cook for lunch. We prepared lunch together with the help of our camping stove. That is the best meal I have ever had. The ambiance was so exquisite that we enjoyed every single moment of it. I must say people in the countryside of Austria are very loving and innocent. Their dressing style is just like those old french & German movies.
सहज कासव या मराठी सिनेमातील संवाद आठवला. आपल्याला कान असतात डोळे असतात पण पहायला आणी ऐकायला शिकावं लागतं.
I guess traveling helps me to do that. And I am learning with enthusiasm.
Love, Maithili

16 May
Day 6.. Rainy day
It started raining yesterday night when we went inside our tents after dinner. It was chilling cold and windy too. I was tossing and turning all night. It was super cold. I don’t remember when was the last time I experienced that much cold. When we were up in the morning we realized that we both are soaked completely. Our tent mat & sleeping bags were soaked with water.. Well… of-course I had already made up my mind for this kind of scenario before coming to this tour, but still we were little panicked. We got little disoriented. Like now what?? What are we going to do???
Our check out time at the camp site was supposed to be till 11.. So we got ready somehow. Packed our panniers. Assembled our tents which was completely soaked. We decided unanimously that we need to book a hotel for today. There is no point riding in this weather. We immediately booked a hotel which was fortunately just 10 km away from our camp site. We thought that we underestimated rains in Europe. We were not fully equipped with our rain gear. So we thought riding in rain is going to be difficult. But in reality when we started peddling, it was entirely different experience. Our route went through fields, villages , adjacent to the river. And rain was adding extra beauty to it.
I think mother nature wanted us to appreciate her beauty and so she had planned this rain purposely.. ☺
Though because of our soaked luggage bicycle got all the more heavy, and it was more difficult to paddle. I enjoyed riding in rains. While riding we meet cyclists from all over the world from age group 5 to 80 yrs. We greet each other. its lovely. When I meet many lovely people on my way who could speak only German, I regret that I have trouble understanding German language.. But I believe my body language and expression can convey my love and respect for them. We reached the hotel. One Indonesian lady runs this hotel. She is very kind and helpful. I don’t know why but I immediately felt connection with her. She works really hard. She has 4 beautiful daughters and husband. Entire family is loving. This place made us feel like we are home. Food was awesome. She served us with lot of love.
Today I have told myself that I may not be strongest, or I may not be fastest but I am putting my 100% efforts to make it. After-all I am not doing it for any record or race.
Yes I am doing it for myself.
Love, Maithili

17th May 2018
Day 7 (Ybb to Mauthausen 64 km. Meeting myself)
We were up by 7 today. It had stopped raining but weather was cloudy and windy. I was so cozy and comfortable inside my bed that It was difficult task for me to get ready. But since we had already told hotel lady to fix our breakfast by 8. We had to get ready. This lady is originally from Shanghai ( china)..her helpful nature made us feel really warm..we thanked her for her hospitality and started our journey towards Linz.. The road runs between danube river on one hand and railway track on the other. While riding I heard a train which was coming from behind.. Since childhood i have strange attraction for trains..which made me excited..I almost got goosebumps..I stopped riding and kept waving at the train till it was out of site.. I dont know why but I was in tears ..it was just like meeting a child inside me.. Well, it was cold so we wanted to have coffee.. Avinash spotted one small countryside coffee shop..the place was just like hobbit movie.. The man was curious to know about us and our trip..we had great time there.. I Must say people in countryside of Austria are very loving and warm. I appreciate their cleanliness, discipline and culture.. Since our riding route which is Eurovelo 6 is not completely developed yet …sometimes we had to use highway.. Its a huge highway comes from Munich side and Runs till Budapest.. So you can imagine the traffic and speed of the vehicles.. But according to my personal experience I must say that all vehicles including giant trucks give priority to cyclists on road..isn’t it commendable?.. I still sometimes get confused with right hand drive but all vehicles were always kind to me.. No wonder Europe is paradise for cyclists … In the afternoon we had lunch at one highway side restaurant.. Since now we all prepared our minds for tough ride..we all were extremely energized today.. Danube river divides Austria in upper and lower Austria..so to reach today’s destination we had to cross river with the help of ferry boat.. I am amazed by the level of facilities people get. Our boatman arrived promptly to take us to the other side just in few minutes after our telephonic conversation.. We took a hotel room today as it is still raining on and off..our hotel has got perfect view of Danube river .. It is slightly on an expensive side But we thought we deserve it after long ride in this weather..temperature outside is 5°c..its super-cold .. I am happy that we are cozy and warm inside.. Its already 12..
Bye for now
Love, Maithili