Early morning flight to Vienna! Had a little scare at the airport when they asked for a visa with my passport. As far as I was aware, I did not need a visa to enter Austria with a Malaysian passport, unless the rules and regulations had changed in the last week!! After some checking, I was allowed to fly to Austria. They had made a mistake. Whew!!
Flight in to Vienna was good. We checked in and headed into the city to wander aimlessly around. Stumbled upon the Film Festival that was going on at the time, but unfortunately it was all in a foreign language. Further along there was a country fair, with various beers and local delicacies for sale. We had fun sampling the local food. Later had a typical dinner of Weiner Schintzel ( crumbed pork fillet ) and potato salad and salad.
Jesse's off to his conference full of computer geeks, while I go and wander through the city of Vienna. Caught the Hop On, Hop Off tour, which takes me to the various sites in Vienna. Spent most of my day in Schonbrunn Palace, home to the powerful Hapsburg family of olden times Austrian Empire. It was originally a hunting lodge, renovated by Empress Maria-Theresa into a palace. she was the last Hapsburgh to rule Austria. Interesting thing was she ruled the Austraian Empire, while her husband Emperor Francis Joseph was content to devote his time to science and gardening. she implemented improvements for her people, starting mandatory education for all children, pretty forward thinking for her time (18th century). Beautiful palace, though not as lavish as Versailles Palace. But on a more practical scale, with various rooms decorated in different themes, such as one done up in Chinese lacquer, Blue china room etc. It has a beautiful garden ( see photos ) and the Imperial Zoo is also housed here. It is the oldest Zoo, started in Emperor Francis Joseph's time.
Later in the evening Jesse and I went on an evening tour, taking us to have a ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel in Prater. It is over 100 years old, with little cabins holding up to 20 people to sit in and see Vienna by night. Then its a little drive to the town of Grinzing, to a wine tavern for traditional Viennese fare accompanied by music and opera and of course a waltz in the city where the waltz was first started.
St Stephen's Cathedral is another landmark in Vienna, unfortunately it is undergoing refurbishments at the moment, so photos of it include construction works. It has 2 towers, with one tower housing a large bell that you can go up and see. Though I think it would be a good thing not to be up there when the bell rings on the hour!! :P
Vienna has heaps of other museums, such as the Natural History Museum, Impressionists art Museum in the Belvedere Palace, Musical Instruments Museum, too many to mention! I had had quite enough of museums and art and churches by this time, and decided I would just simply wander through the streets and see what I see. It was a pleasant change, wandering aimlessly through the little side streets, you see quirky little buildings, turn round a corner and there's a fountain, beautiful facedes to the buildings, nice little sidewalk cafes ( yes, I actually stopped and sat down for some Viennese coffee and did nothing for 45 minutes!! ).
Had dinner with Jesse and his conference mates, a whole restaurant full of computer geeks and undiluted computer talk, in various different languages!! Shudder!! I survived it though! :P
- YM
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