Monday 10th June
Just a short update, we`ve been in the city most of
the day and I must say, having some knowledge of where we are, and where we`re
going and how to get where we want to go, makes it much more enjoyable.
We came back early to Ed and Louis, had some tea and
we`re going back into town for the night bus tour when the buildings should be
lit up so I`m looking forward to that.
Update later………
Well, the night tour was actually a little
disappointing in that it wasn't night, or at least dark so it was only at the
end of the tour that the buildings started to be illuminated. It started at 8pm
until 9pm but would have been better if it went on until 10pm really. Re-walking
the route to get the photos wasn't really an option !
It was still nice to see the city again.
It is a city of contrasts though, there are some
beautiful palaces and buildings of many uses with amazing architecture, then
there are many, many bland non descript buildings.
As for museums and art galleries, you could probably
spend the rest of your days wandering around them, they are vast and plentyful.
The Danube
waterfront is a bit of mystery too. Most of it is not even accessible from what
we could see and the bits of waterfront in the city looked really scruffy and
downbeat with lots of concrete and graffiti decoration. I think the city
council are probably working to improve things, but when compared to the
elegant embankments in London
they have a long way to go.
We have so much to be thankful for in the UK.
Outside the city there seems to be a 200/300 yard
border of grass and wetlands between the river and road, so again not that
accessible.
Other parts may be better and more accessible but
I've just based this on the small part of the city and surrounding area that we
saw.
For all this it is a beautiful city well with a
visit.
This morning we took the hop on hop off bus first for
a Danube tour and after that up to a panoramic
viewing point at Kehlenberg that overlooks the city.
This route took us through the famous woods if Vienna that encircle the
city on three sides and are thankfully protected against further development.
We also called in at the famous wine producing town
of Grinzing.
One of the things that struck us and impressed us most about
Vienna is how
clean and litter free everywhere is. None of the chewing gum, fag ends, and
food packaging litter that blight most UK town centres.
Everyone seems to
take a pride in their town which is something we could learn from the Austrians.
We were much better organized today and it helped
that we knew where to go so it was a very enjoyable day in Vienna.
The weather is glorious and has been all week but
walking in the city in this heat is very draining.
We hear the UK is a little soggy at the moment.
Tomorrow we head south west to a little village I
like the sound of.
It's still in Austria,
but is enroute to Slovenia
and Croatia.
We have aching feet but have enjoyed our time in Vienna.
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| Various views from around Vienna and the Danube |
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| Do you think the lady cab driver wanted no photos ??? |
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| Old Vienna city walls |
