ViennaOne

Yes, we are alive and well, just taken me awhile to have a nice quiet time.

Alone in Trogir Saturday night, we had an average meal at one of the restaurants that line the MASSIVE marina for the pleasure boats. In the morning we had seen the frantic hive of activity as people left their rental boat/catamaran and the cleaners moved in to prepare them for the next group. Hundreds and hundreds of boats. The things that people's do!

Sunday morning we went to the fortress, which needs a little tender loving care. A pity the $5 entry fee was not used for its maintenance. We could see a major storm approaching. As we reached the exit the rain started and as we just made the nearest hotel the storm hit. People scrambled to lower the large market umbrellas and remove the coverings on the cafe tables. Thunder, lightening and heavy rain. Quite an experience under our little but adequate shelter.

Easy transfer to the airport, long wait for the flight and eventually we are on the fast train from the Vienna airport to catch a taxi to our apartment. Fortunately the taxi driver understood the numbering system for the addres as it looked double-Dutch to me! Agnes was waiting for us and all was well. Apartment living in Vienna for a week to see how the locals do it.

Our apartment is in a quiet section of Vienna , very residential but only two train stops from the centre. We even have trees and a garden outside our first floor window. We are the lucky ones. Key to enter the building, lift to the floor and of course a walk down the corridor to unlock our door.

We have been to the nearby supermarket and stocked up. There is a crèche at the base of this apt complex and an enclosed area on the street that has basketball rings and a soccer net. We have seen a few such caged-in play complexes.

After washing clothes and having our normal breakfast ( hooray!) we bought a weekly ticket at the handy underground train station and headed down town. Those who have been here before will remember that the city has an over abundance of ornate, grand, opulent buildings. We got a map from the Info Centre and wandered a little . However, our real introduction to the city was via a Segway tour.

We met up with our guide and one other participant and were introduced to the machines. A little training and off we went for our 3 hour tour. As there were only 4 of us including the guide, he was able to take us to more places than usual and there was virtually no hindrance to our riding. He even took us through parks, which is illegal on wheels. Peter was amusing, knowledgeable and politically sceptical which was right up our alley. We now have a list of places that we want to return to and a good understanding of significant locations.

Finishing at 5pm we treated ourselves to a hot chocolate and the ubiquitous apfelstrudel ! Catching the now peak hour train to our stop, we found a bar for a drink. Not easy actually! There were a few dull looking establishments and some with no life, but eventually we found a lively Irish Bar. Back to the unit to cook a "normal" dinner and plan our next days. They are predicted to be wet, so inside activities will be the go.

A stormy finish to our Croatian sojourn

A selection of welcome goodies made our arrival in Vienna most pleasant.

Apartment complex.

Impressive street art brightens the enclosed play space.

A quick city introduction.

Cooking tea...there is a wine glass there!

 

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