Vienna: Austria

October 16, 2008
We arrived in Vienna, via Cesky Krumlov, a couple of days ago and one of the first realisations we had was how similar VIenna feels to Melbourne.  Trams, clean streets and rather green.  We participated in a walking guided tour of the main historical sites yesterday which was lovely.  Ze guide “Valter” appeared to be a raving German queen but was full of laughs and entertaining.  The weather is a little on the damp side today so JB has found a movie theatre that features english movies which we plan on checking out.  Our concierge at the hotel is rather resourceful attending to our every request.  JB has taken to calling him the Magician.  Based on what we’ve seen the city is again very pretty with a rich history so we’ll be exploring further over the next days.  Tonight we’re hoing to get into the opera – an apparent “must do” when in Vienna.  Also hoping to do a day trip out to a castle called Melk.  Some pics so far:
State Library

State Library and balcony from where Hitler made his famous 1938 speech

St Stephans Cathedral in Stephansplatz

St Stephans Cathedral in Stephansplatz

Inside St Stephans Cathedral

Inside St Stephans Cathedral

Ethereal shot inside St Stephans

Ethereal shot inside St Stephans

Call it a day...Viennese sunset

Call it a day...Viennese sunset

Until next time…adios


Prague2: Czech Republic

October 16, 2008

Boy, did we walk some kilometers in Prague!  The weather was so lovely that we just wandered the streets each day.  In terms of sight-seeing we further explored Prague Castle; the Petrin Wall and Lookout, The Lennon Wall (lots of walls in Europe!), Vitkov National Monument, Olsany Cemetary, Jewish Cemetary (where Kafka is buried), Bruncvik Bistro (where Louis Moran was “hit”), Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord…  A few pics:

The Lennon Wall

The Lennon WallSoldiers marching at Prague Castle

Awww...the happy couple in Petrin Gardens...

Awww...the happy couple in Petrin Gardens...

Could it be ... the original Yapping Dog???

Could it be ... the original Yapping Dog???

Vitkov Monument

Vitkov Monument

So that was Prague.  Next stop Vienna…