Vienna

HELLO AUSTRIA !

Docked in Vienna and flying the Austrian flag. ------That is a U.N. building across the river -perhaps the World Health Organization ( I forget)

OFF FOR A LOOK-SEE

I found Vienna a bit intimidating at first, as it was the first really big city we encountered. I calmed down and got used to it though. The pastries helped. It is the only city where we forewent the local specialty- which was hot chocolate so rich one had to eat it rather than drink it. The pastries were certainly plenty caloric too, but I am sure the so-called "drink" would have really been over the top. Of course, you know there are palaces, music, and other grand things, and we did see and hear them. However, here are a few other things you would probably rather see.

THE SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL AND THE LIPIZZANERS

They really do live right in the middle of the city in a palatial abode.

If you love Lipizzaners, read an old mystery by Mary Stewart called "Airs Above The Ground". It's a good and quick read, and you can probably find any number of used copies for $1 on abe books.com

In addition to the obligatory cathedral.........


(don't you love the roof tile ?!?)

There's the Ferris wheel. We did not have time for a ride during our tour, and we did not think about going back on our own at night, until we found out that several of our fellow passengers did..... Next time!




The "structure" in the foreground is actually one of the cars. They are bigger than buses, though not quite as large as boxcars. People do sometimes reserve them for weddings however.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I forget the German name for it, but there is an area along one of the canals which translates out as "the Chillin' Out Place". There is a large swimming pool on a barge and a sandy beach on the other side of the bridge with volleyball and other activities usually reserved for holidays at the sea. Viennese do like to have their fun.





















Though it usually is just plain ol' "river colored", the "Beautiful Blue Danube" sometime really is just that..........



An irresistible cloud and sun picture in the late afternoon. Of course, all those wispy cirrus mackerel scales augured for a weather change.

Fortunately we were not a "tall ship" and so we did not have to worry about carrying "small sails."

It was true though. After 3 days of short-sleeved summer weather, fall came to Central Europe. It did turn cold, though the weather stayed fair. We were dressed for it, and the party floated on westward.

Did you receive a post card from us?? Perhaps THIS is that very one. Could be.......

A Brief Hello To Slovakia

Welcome to Bratislavia, Slovakia

If you ever entertained any notions that maybe Communism wasn't so bad after all---- just talk to any tour guides in either Hungary or Slovakia who grew up under it. They spent 40 years NOT making any recovery from WWII, and they feel they are hurrying- hurrying- hurrying to catch up with the rest of Europe. They're doing a good job too!
Slovakia is helped by being in the EU. Hungary is still on its own currency (the Forint), but they will happily take Dollars, Euros , Pounds, or whatever; and every little store cashier has a calculator which can convert it instantly. Capitalism is thriving in Hungary, and they know how to deal with tourists.

Bratislava has all the standard equipment of an old European town:-





An ancient Catholic Church

A Jewish Memorial
Europeans seem distressingly unaware of grafitti- it's everywhere.
Strangely, it looks just like grafitti in the States (I guess we can thank mass media for that)

Crowded streets, an old town wall and gate,

and
























a lot of western European architecture with eastern overtones.

A Plague(s) Memorial

Happy children on holiday

FURTHERMORE........

Mozart slept here

....And Hans Christian Andersen liked it SO well that they built him a statue with depictions of various of his works

(note The Emperor's New Clothes in the second picture)



























BUT WAIT....... THAT'S NOT ALL!!!!!!!!..........

Bratislava is the home (perhaps even the birthplace) of the idea whose time has truly come...

Eat your heart out Starbucks.......

It's the (drum roll, please)...........

BANK/COFFEE SHOPPE

INGENIOUS!!!

Not only that, they still make traditional folk crafts like painted egg ornaments





AND...


They have Zlaty Bazant (Golden Pheasant) Beer

MOMCAT APPROVED

and THAT -o' best beloved- is all you really need to know!!

Up stream on the Danube

Here's the route, by the way:







We are heading west and gaining elevation. To avoid the excitement of waterfalls, there are locks along the way. There are over sixty over the entire trip, but the first one is one of the biggest and most spectacular. Everyone got up on deck to watch. Let's hear it for the Civil Engineers!!







We are tied up waiting our turn.






Now, here we go!!













Inching forward.......





The gates are closing behind us. A small crowd of engineering junkie bicycle tourists and their children are watching from above. We will get close enough to exchange greetings as the water level rises.









The clearance is so close (literally measured in inches) that the Captain abandons the bridge and steers in little tiny calibrations with a joystick. He never bumped the side!

Everyone was duly impressed!












Logbook and paperwork stuff between the Captain and the Lockmasters

















This is a huge lock with multiple chambers. It can accommodate 3 boats at a time. Those pumps move a lot of water, and the move it very fast.







And we are out the other side and underway, flying the Slovakian flag.




















Time for a little relaxation on the deck as we head west to Bratislava












Hmmmmm ......I hadn't planned on losing that knight right then.


It's hard to think when you are actually walking among the pieces. Talk about not being able to see the forest for the trees!!!

Just Can't Leave Budapest Without First Showing You..........

Just a few more things from Budapest, and then we'll get back on the boat and move on----








First of all-- How 'bout gypsy violins and dancers ?!?

Yep! That's a flagon of wine just sitting right there on her head
--no Velcro or anything!

Then there's Barbie. She turns up in the most unexpected places!

With Post boxes as cute as this, Who wouldn't want to send a post card from Hungary?


















The Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest. Unless they've read Dracula, most people don't know they are actually two cities separated by the Danube. Buda is the much older city, which makes sense, since it is on a high embankment and far easier to fortify. It is the seat of the government today.

In Buda, looking down across the Danube
toward Pest




Back to the boat and onward upstream to Slovakia.

Hungarian plum and apricot brandies are to die for; but what did we buy in Budapest?

PAPRIKA
of course!

Other Animals on the Hungarian Horse farm

The horse farm in Hungary had an array of other animals which were just too cute not to include. So here we go:

Sheep- these were my all time favorite. The horns are so exuberant, but I really loved the toothy smile on the white one in the back. You may have to enlarge it to see - but it's worth the effort it takes to push the button.



But what kind of sheep are they?? Read on:---



Now you know more than most people about Racka Sheep. Furthermore, you know it in 2 languages. Afterthought---- When they have babies, do you have a "Racka Lamb?"



Got a kid who wants a pony for Christmas? Don't we all?

Well, here you go. ....and they're sooooo snuggley!!

Just tell the man at Customs that it's a service animal.





ONWARD TO PIGS!

I've never been a great devotee (other than on the table), but these fellas were incredibly personable- and talk about hair (bristles), these piggies are really set for winter (either that or the Fuller Brush factory.









































"...Blacks and Bays,
Dapples and greys,
All the pretty little horses"
































Oxen were gentle, bland, and in all ways lovely.

There was also a school at the farm. Remember what fun kids used to have before tort lawyers and OSHA got involved?

Good-bye horse farm!
We had a wonderful afternoon!

And the Pastries and Plum Brandy you served us were top notch too!!!