Vienna Austria
Off to Vienna
The train ride to Vienna was not too bad. Only about 2.5 hours. One thing is the we didn't have seat reservations so we got kicked out of our seats. However there were plenty of seats away from the family for Karen and I a few rows back.
Apartment - AIRBNB
The apartment that Karen and Ryan reserved for us is HUGE. It has 5 bedrooms and lots of beds. It gives us a little more room to stretch out.
Market and Grocery Store
We went to an Open Air Market but didn't really find much to buy. It was kind of interesting because it seemed kind of an Mid-Eastern or Indian ethic feel.
Saw my wanna be job (Well maybe not the nose or the outfit. It would be fun to busk with balloons. Maybe someday. )
We found a grocery store. However, it looked like it catered to Mid-Eastern or Indian people. It was hard to find much familiar food to buy for breakfast.
It was strange, being in Austria. They did not have any Austrian or German type bread. They just had this flatbread .
Date Night Out
Monica fed the kids ramen and pretzels. The adults had a date night.
On the way we passed these guys making cement statues with grinders. (I have seen chain saw art, but haven't seen art grinder grinder)
Dinner at a Noodle House Sachers Torte
Vienna is known for their Sachers Torte.
We owe the invention of the Sachertorte to pastry chef Franz Sacher who created it in 1832 in the capital of Austria. Sacher was asked by Prince Klemens von Metternich, heir to a wealthy family of hoteliers of Jewish origin, to prepare a special dessert for a guest because the official court pastry chef was ill.
His son opened an exclusive hotel and began serving it there.
What would Vienna be without the Opera?
We went to a double header of two Operas. Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci. Both tragedies of course. Both a love triangle affair. Both resulting in the jealous husband kills one of the cheaters at the very last. The first with the man being the main cheater and the second with the girl as the unfaithful one.
Each of the seats has a monitor to read along in various languages.
The Opera House is huge.
The inside is very elegant and ornate
The inside is pretty interesting. It has box seats, seating on the floor, and seating in two balconies.
The interesting thing is that they have standing seats. You stand up through the performance. These are located at the back of the orchestra section and the sides of the balconies.
Note on top right of balcony and very rear of the main floor seating.
The other interesting thing is that they have these rooms all around the seating area of the theater for break out rooms for the intermission. You reserve a table and have either a cake or something to drink. There must have been at least eight big rooms. All are very elegantly decorated.
It was an interesting event going to an Opera in Vienna.
Exploring Vienna
We had a riding and walking tour of Vienna today.
Riding Tour - Do it yourself.
The Trolley System was started in the 1800's. The trolleys were originally pulled by horses. Today a few of the older trolleys are around but most have been greatly upgraded. Today Porsche makes the trolleys.
Karen was our own Personal Audio Tour Guide with the help of a Rick Steves download. We went all around Vienna and Karen told us all about all the buildings. It was nice not to have to walk.
Walking Tour of Vienna
Again, Karen was our tour guide with the help of a Rick Steves Tour book.
Lobmeyr is a fancy crystal and china shop
Inside the shop
Heindl's is known for their chocolate
Grandma can't resist buying the gang some chocolates.
Nothing better than a sausage stuck in a roll for lunch
Ice cream is great to have for dessert
Even our own Personal Audio Guide deserved a little ice cream break
St. Stephen's Cathedral is pretty impressive
Small mock-up of cathedral
Inside Cathedral
Statues near down town area
Organ Recital
They were having an organ recital in St. Michael's Cathedral
Loos' Loos
In about 1900 a local chemical maker needed a publicity stunt to prove his chemicals really did clean. He purchased two wine cellars and had them turned into classy WCs in the latest styles. At one time they even had chandeliers in them. While the chandeliers are now gone and they have not been totally kept up, they are still a fun place to do your business.
High end shopping area
Museum
Check out the impersonations of the statue sticking out his tongue.
When traveling in Europe it is always wise to keep some pocket change with you. Most all WCs cost between 50 and 60 cents. (Especially if you are traveling with kids.)
They have an outdoor market area with everything from fruits, meats, and a bunch of restaurants in the market place.
Luckily Dad is willing to give Bryson a ride when his legs get tired.
Hudson has been looking for a soccer jersey ever since Barcelona . He finally found one he liked that was in his price range.
Kebab places are all around Austria and other parts of Europe.
One of the things to try is a Doner Kebab. It is kind of like a Gyro but instead of pita bread it is made with a flatbread and warmed up.
The Doner Kebab is pretty good. Personally, I like the pita bread in a Gyro style but it is fun to try something new.
The place we bought dinner had some tables and chairs right across from them in the market. However, after we bought our food assuming we could sit there, we were asked to leave since they were another restaurant's tables.
So we found a little curb to sit on to eat our dinner.
You always need to be flexible when traveling on a budget.
Schonbrunn Zoo and Palace
Trivia - the Schonbrunn Zoo is the oldest zoo in Europe.
Schonbrunn Zoo
Palm Dome - On the way to the zoo.
The zoo is quite nice and laid out nicely. It has a good selection of animals, including a Panda Bear.
Yep, Bry-guy is almost as tall as the giraffe
Hudson was excited about photographing almost every animal
There was a sign saying they separated these birds for medical reasons. One bird was inside the glass fence and the other one was out walking around with the public. Then periodically he would go over to the glass fence and wack on it with his beak.
Break time
Showing Bryson all his pictures
Schonbrunn Palace
We took a tour of the inside but they would not allow photographs.
The tour was insightful to the day and life of the Royalty.
The rooms were ornate but not quite ornate as Versailles
Dinner after in Vienna
There were a couple of Viennese dishes we wanted to try before leaving Vienna. They have dish called Kaiserschmarrn, which is a fluffy pancake like dish, that is in small pieces and has a plum sauce. We checked on the internet and found a place in the Market Square. It is mainly for dessert and breakfast. I wanted to try Viennese gulasch and Karen tried Stryain fried chicken salad. We also tried their Sacher Torte. We tried to get Ryan and Monica a Sacher Torte but they just ran out. The guy recommended a little restaurant down the road that made a good Sacher Torte.
Sacher Torte
Kaiserschmarrn
Off to Croatia
You can tell it's time to head off to Croatia when Karen pulls out the Rick Steves Croatia guide book. 
Vienna to Zagreb
Hudson and Gracie win
Hudson has been teasing me that I need to cut my hair for the last couple countries.
Hudson had been on the look for barber shops and reminds me when he finds one.
Gracie joined in and started putting pressure on me. I ran out of excuses, since we had
a few hours to goof off since our train is at 4:00. They have been reminding me that there
is a barber just down the street.
I have not had a hair cut from anyone besides Karen for about 45 years. She has been
my sole barber. With an audience I got my hair cut. He did a great job and it was fun for
the grand-kids.
However, Ryan also got his hair cut and it was more of a ‘buzz job’ and he was not as
pleased with the barber.
Getting a haircut with an audience
Hanging out in the park
We had a little time so Ryan and Monica went shopping for a Christmas ornament. While they were out and about, Karen and I hung out with the kids at the park There was a cute little church right next to the park. I am kind of a sucker for churches. I always need to poke my head in and take a look.
Karen is a Grandma Kid-Magnet
Kids are missing their favorite foods.
It seem there comes a time in any trip most people start missing thier favorite food.
Ryan kids are no exception. Last night and today they requested McDonald.
It is amazing how many McDonald's there are here. There were two just about 2
or so block away. We see a lot of Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken -
not to mention a lot of Starbucks.
Karen and I couldn’t find any Austrian foods that looked good so we got a chicken
sandwich and fries. Ryan and Monica have been on a Kebab kick. It seems like
there is a Kebab place on every corner. They are reasonably priced and good.
Train ride Vienna to Zagreb Crotia
Train travel has it’s good points and not so good points. Dragging 8 people’s bags around and t
he panic of getting them all in the train in time is always a challenge. However once we get
everyone loaded it is kind of fun looking out the window at the scenery.
Karen and Addie are on bag watch while others are going to the WC or shopping around
We had reserved seating on the train. It was packed. A young couple also had reservation
across from us. There was a guy sitting in their place and refused to move. They were
pretty patient with him. The guy sat down with their dog and the girl stood. I think he said
something about a ‘bad man’. AT the next stop they announced that people without reservation
must give up their seat. Luckily the guy got up and left. It kind of made me think about the
talk on Peacemakers, by President Nelson that I had just read.
Once you leave the city the landscape is beautiful. Lot of trees and mountains. Little towns
nesseled in the green valleys between the mountains. It is very picturesque. It kind of reminds
me of the Alps in either Switzerland or Italy, but not quite as high of mountains
We just stopped and the police are going up and down through the isles of the train. I think this
is the fourth time on this trip that we have stopped the train and had police searching for something.
One time they removed someone from the train. I am guessing that this must be a fairly common
thing here.
As you slope down to Slovenia , it flattens out somewhat but is quite picturesque , especially
in-between cities. The cities are more industrial. It is still quite nice between cities.
The kids pass the time playing on their Kindles. Sometime we pull out the cards and play
some games.
Arriving at our AIRBNB - PANIC PANIC PANIC
Figuring out two URBERS was a little challenge, since Karen and I are not URBER frequent
users and we needed two cars. We arrived at the place around 11:30 and found out that
our rooms had been double booked and there was someone in our room.
It was a scramble to call the lady. We tried to book another hotel but since it was so late
we could not contact them. Bryson went to sleep on the train and is still groogy and went
to sleep in his stroller. Hudson was crying and we put him on the floor of the entry way
of the apartment complex. He quickly went to sleep. Ryan and Monica went out looking
for a nearby place to stay and all of our luggage is hanging out. Eventually the lady showed up. She apologized profusely and found a couple of rooms.
Karen and mine were fine. Ryan had to put 3 kids on a sofa sleeper and Bryson on a
Pack-N-Play. We all got settled in sometime after midnight.
