An Angel, A Train Ride and a Floating City...

Buongiorno! Venice is as welcoming as ever, and whilst the massive hordes of tourists have remained, this city still holds a special place in my heart. Todd and I caught the Vaporetti to our hotel, and it is amazing! The lobby is all wood panelled and beautifully laid out. Unfortunately, as with many Venetian buildings, there are lots of stairs! Thankfully the porter took our bags up... Todd and I were huffing at the top, whilst the porter wasn't even breathing heavily after making two trips with bags! Gah!

The trip here from Vienna was probably the most horrific travel experience I've ever had, however. Todd and I struggled to get help from the various Austrian Rail officials... the only respite was when we were permitted access to the "lounge" for 1st class rail passengers. (Think Qantas Club, but from the 1940s). The woman who validated our EurRail passess was clearly more interested in her biology homework. (She was studying and labelling parts of the human body). When I indicated to Todd that I really would've liked to blast her, Todd's suggestion was to point out on the diagram which body part I thought she was most like... I'll let you figure that one out. Proving that the lounge was a dive, an older man walked in carrying a bronze coloured angel carving about a foot long. This was strange, however I thought that maybe it was a souvenier that he didn't want damaged. It got even stranger when the man proceeded to hold the angel (a cherub) to his nose and sniff deeply! He only removed it in order to take a sip of his drink! I'm not sure what the angel smelt like, but it must've been good!

When we boarded the train, the "family sleeper" we had booked turned out to be a room as big as a toilet, with a bunk and a tiny space to walk in (where we had to place our bags). We had been advised that there was a small "wash area" in the cabin, so I tried for about 30 seconds to open the only other door there was (a sliding sort of door) until I heard someone call out - "No!" I thought that maybe it was a shared toilet, however we soon worked out that I had spent the last minute trying to gain access to the other cabin next door! Most embarassment! The "wash area" turned out to be under-neath a small table in the corner! Gah! Todd had to virtually stand on my shoulders to access the top bunk as there was no discernible place to erect the ladder! After a terrible night's sleep, finally we arrived and I couldn't have been more relieved to get off that train!

We spent some time wandering around the city... Venice is great like that... you can just walk around, get lost and then find yourselves again! We then took another boat to go to the beach island of Lido, where we had a pizza and antipasto lunch by the sea. The weather was spectacular!

We went back to the hotel for a short rest before heading out for dinner. Prior to this however, we decided to have a look around the Rialto bridge, and of course, the revered bookshop, Rivoaltus! We went in and it was like being transported back in time. Remembered smells of the leather and cotton paper came flooding into my senses. The soft glow of the lights against the window, reflected off the many hued feathered pens also for sale, made them them look like jewelled feathers. The same woman who runs the shop was behind the counter and Todd and I spent some time talking with her as we picked out our purchases. Eventually, all the books (I stuck to three for myself!) were wrapped and it was time to leave. The lady behind the counter gave us a discount and some freebies, so we left very happy!

I had wanted to go to an area that I had previously visited when in Venice, however couldn't find my way there - even with a map! I guess it just proves how much I relied on Emma for directions last time I was here! After arriving at two dead ends that ended with water and no bridge, we gave up and decided to try a restaurant recommended by the hotel. The food was fantastic, the wine average, but the ambience was brilliant. I became a little tipsy on the wine and when we walked the sort distance back to the hotel, we pretty much crashed straight away.

This morning we slept in, have had breakfast and will now shortly be leaving to pick up our car and drive to Bologna. I am hoping to engage the services of the porter once more in retrieving our bags as I can't even think about having to bring them down ourselves!

Apologies for lack of photos, I will add more as soon as possible!

Baci, baci!

Goodbye, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehn...

Well Friends... the time has come... to say goodbye... to Vienna! I've had a really wonderful time here, and whilst I know there is so much more for us to see and explore, it's time to move on to Venice.

We have one more day in this beautiful city... we bought tickets for a cruise down the Danube in Vienna (possibly with a schnitzel lunch!) and then tonight we take an overnight train to Venezia!

Since my last post, I have indeed now tried a true Viennese Schnitzel! I ended up ordering the "medium" size and of course when the plate came out, there were THREE schnitzels on it! I think this is the first time in history that I was UNABLE to finish the schnitzel I'd been served! (Todd had to help me out!) The place where we ate is pictured below... interesting name, hey?

I went and did a bit of shopping and on the way, we found an observation tower. Apparently, they are re-building the train station here and there's a big "sell" campaign. Part of it is offering free lifts to the top! Fantastic view, even if there was a lot of construction going on!

Yesterday we visited the Schonbron Palace.... original home of the Habsburgs. The architecture is unbelievable. We took a tour - one highlight of which was an older tourist with a hat that announced "I LOVE WANG". I'm not really sure what he was trying to say...

Disappointing that we didn't have a whole lot of time to look around, however we had to get to the Belvedere Palace.

Me outside Schoenbrun Palace. The colour is apparently famous throughout Europe as "Schoebrun Yellow".

Pose I would put on a dating profile. In the Belvedere Palace Gardens.

Unfortunately we've also had to say goodbye to the very helpful (not!) front desk assistant that Todd as nicknamed "Slobodan's daughter" due to her surname. Todd has also had to say goodbye to eating his breakfast snack of choice... a rolled up raw fish fillet wrapped around pickled onions... it looks DISGUSTING! I could not take a photo of it for fear of having to look at it for more than a few seconds and hence of course, vomiting.

Apologies for the brevity of this post, however this trip is flying past!!!! Will update again soon with tales from Venice and the magical bookshop!

Entschuldigen Sie bitte!

Greetings Herrs and Fraus (and Fraulines too I suppose!)


Yesterday Todd and I spent some time exploring this beautiful city of Vienna. Having now mostly recovered from the flight, we were keen to get an early start on some tourist-y activities. Of course, early start meant breakfast at 9.30, leaving the hotel at about 11, stopping for 3-4 coffees along the way... you get the idea.





The architecture is simply beautiful here.



We walked around the city admiring the beautiful architecture. There is certainly lots of it. Vienna is famous for several things; it's beautiful buildings, the food and of course the culture! There are lots of museums and concert halls throughout the city and we spent some time in the Museum of Fine Art.



Of course, in usual Danny fashion, it took us about 20 minutes to find the entrance to what we thought was the Museum. This was further punctuated by the fact that when we DID find the entrance, I asked an official looking girl where the Museum of Fine Art was, she said "it's not here". Todd and I later discussed that possession of a walkie-talkie does not make someone "official". When I said we were looking to see some paintings from famous artists, such as Caravaggio, she did tell me that there were some in the the giant building... strange that.



We then sat down in the garden to consult our map. The quality of the map is such that it is literally falling to pieces within days of our arrival in Vienna. As Todd was checking the details a young woman approached us with a rose in her outstretched hands.



This was really lovely, I thought. This kind young woman obviously wanting to promote Vienna as a welcoming city, wandering the gardens of a tourist attraction offering roses to tourists. I gladly took the rose and this is where it turned ugly. You see, faithful followers, one would think I was accustomed to the beggers in Europe, (refer to earlier chapters where I was duped by a 'deaf' man selling French flag pins) but no. This woman had me hook line and sinker! She held up a photo of a clearly unhappy child and proceeded to ask for money. Of course, Todd had already politiely declined the rose, however, clearly, since I had taken it, we were up for some cash here. I was speechless!

 

Todd gave me a "look" and then basically gave her ALL of the coin he had. I had thought she would be pleased with this (as I was really dis-pleased!) however her face was actually quite scowlish! Afterwards Todd told me that it really amounted to about €2($3.50AUD) so clearly this was why she was unhappy!

Anyway.. it turned out that the building that was "not it" was actually "it" and we went inside. The art work is stunning and there was a lot to get through. After a couple of hours, Todd and I made our way back to the hotel room.

We had earlier booked tickets for an orchestral performance, so we had to quickly get ready and made our way over to the Konserthaus. It was a really beautiful performance, punctuated with some humour and operatic performances. We were in the second row and had a fantastic view. Unfortunately, the older gentleman next to Todd obviously thought he should be on stage as he was "conducting" in his seat and humming along to the music. This wouldn't have been so bad, but it really sounded like he was off key...!

All around a fanstastic evening. The one thing we forgot was to have dinner! I still haven't tried a Viennese schnitzel. (For those who know me, I understand the incredulity you are now experiencing due to my almost obsession around the chicken schnitty, however the "Schnitzel Centre" on the corner across from the hotel that sells schnitties for €2 seems a little dodgy to me!) So I think that should be my top priority for my next meal! I'll let you know how it goes!

Auf wiedersehn!

An Arresting Situation...!

Greeting friends! I type this missive from the desk of my Viennese Hotel. My head is bent in an effort to avoid it touching the ceiling in this corner of the room. We are on the top floor of this hotel (7th floor) and the roof slopes sharply... I feel as if I'm only getting half of the room that is being paid for...!

I had wished to write earlier, however, it is without a word of a lie that I say that it has been a whirlwind trip. Having left Adelaide to make our way to Sydney, Todd and I were very lucky to have a smooth if rushed transfer at Sydney airport. We barely had time to make it to the bathroom before we had to get to the international terminal, and then onto our flight.

The journey to Singapore was without incident, although it seems that all you do on these long haul flights is just EAT CONSTANTLY! Before you've finished one meal, you virtually have another in front of you. Once we arrived in Singapore, we again barely had time for a quick shower and a drink and then we were off again.

Upon arriving in Frankfurt, we had to collect our luggage and check in again in order to catch the flight to Vienna. This, my friends, is where yours truly once again, almost achieved Shapelle Corby-esque fame.

Having passed through the security screening point, I was mildly disturbed to find that my bag had not been so successful. After having indicated to the attendant it was my bag, I attempted to converse with the female security officer (with only limited success). She conveyed that she needed me to follow her so we could put the bag through 'special tests'. I started to be a little concerned when she led me away down a corridor. I turned to tell Todd that I would be back shortly, when it hit me...

This was the moment, I thought. The moment in which I was to be dragged away forever, never to be seen or heard from again, except as I wailed and begged for mercy from some 3rd world jail cell. I determined that I would hold my head high. I would approach my fate with dignity and the knowledge that I was innocent of whatever crime they were about to accuse me of.

I would not rot in a 3rd world jail cell trading my new sneakers for some toilet paper.

Of course, this being Germany and all... I suppose in hindsight that was unlikely to happen.

I promptly lost my dignity when they pulled out my sleep breathing machine and asked "Was is das?" (or something like that...) and I of course had to explain the purpose of the machine was to help me breathe whilst sleeping. Both security personell who were now present had a bit of a giggle and started talking about "schlafen" which I'm sure is some sort of slur against my people.

Luckily all was resolved and I once again escaped by the narrowest of margins.

I was mildly amused to discover a "Camel Smoking Zone". This was a glass room specifically dedicated to those who desperately needed a cigarette whilst in the non-smoking surrounds of Frankfurt airport. Of course, Todd couldn't wait to try it out...

Todd trying out the "Camel Smoke Zone"

Me - thrilled to have narrowly escaped arrest!

Today, Todd and I arrived in Vienna. We flew Niki Airlines and it turned out that the pilot was Niki Louda (famous F1 driver and founder of the airline!) When the chief flight attendant (who looked about 12 and wore jeans - apparently it's part of the uniform) announced this, there was a murmur that went around the cabin and everyone felt the buzz. I of course had to turn to Todd and ask "Who is Niki Louda?"

We were a little early checking into our hotel, and were told to come back later. We found a small pub/cafe down the street and decided to stop for a coffee. (I think Todd was starting to experience withdrawl). As soon as we walked in, the seven or so people at the bar all stopped talking and just looked at us.

If you're trying to picture this moment, imagine that Todd and I were like cowboys in a western. As soon as we walked in, the piano guy stops playing, all the patrons stop talking and just look at the new comers.

Now, if this was a real Western, I would've said something way cool, like "we don't want no trouble here folks... just passin' through." Of course, I decided to go with the far more witty and un-cliche "Hello!"

I was promptly left standing by myself drawing everyone's attention as Todd did the sensible thing and simply sat down... Hindsight, they do say, is a wonderful thing.

The Adventure Continues...

For those who have been my loyal followers of previous escapades, welcome back. For those who are new to my Italian Odyssey, allow me to warn you about the wittiness that often pervades my writing. It's so sharp, you may cut yourself... (case in point).

It's been some time since I last put fingers to keyboard with the aim of recording my daily activities, and indeed, I feel some nervousness about beginning again. However, I cannot resist the call of the Italian Odyssey, Part II. Indeed, should I not resume my writing, one could be turning one's back on unparalleled success... After all, it's well known that the only film better than The Godfather, is of course, The Godfather Part Two.

That said, I shall embark upon my second Odyssey on the 28th of September, 2010. This time, I will once again be spending the bulk of my time in Italy, and look forward to regaling you all with tales of the no doubt hilarious and perpetually amusing situations in which I seem to find myself whilst traveling overseas.

Do stay tuned, you won't be disappointed!

Yours, most sincerely,

Danny.