Fishermen's huts along the river.
Approaching our first daytime lock. The captain had invited groups of no more than six into the wheelhouse. It was our turn.
All very high tech. The captain was at another control system at the side of the boat to control our entry into the lock.
You can see a little of the control tower for the lock, but in an cost saving exercise, control now happens remotely from about three central places.
The wheelhouse. It can be lowered, and was, down into the boat to pass under low bridges. For the lowest of all bridges the captain had his head out a manhole cover in the roof of the wheelhouse.
About 1pm we docked at the river boat port in Vienna. We were bused in coloured groups into the centre of Vienna after a drive along the circular road that rings central Venice, ringstrassen if you like, and after a walking tour we were left to our own devices, with a meeting point at the opera house to return to the ship. Vienna is classy city but so full and crowded with tourists.
The Spanish Riding School, where horses are trained to do quite unnatural movements.
Some Roman ruins.
This was a very wide walking street in Vienna, leading to St Stephen's church.
In spite of the beautiful cakes we all were hungering for strudel. I was upsized when the waiter asked if I wanted vanilla sauce and I replied yes. It was another $2. Vanilla sauce turned out to be custard and I don't regret the choice. It was the best strudel I have eaten.
Two wealthy looking Viennese women window shopping.
When trams can only be driven at one end, they must have somewhere to turn around, known as a loop.
Remember the post about heights of world ferris wheels. The wheel in a suburb of Vienna is the oldest in the world, dating back to the 19th century and it has an unusual configuration. It looked great.
We were double berthed and had to walk through another boat to get to shore.
We were bused back to our boat for dinner and then bused out back to City Palais Liechtenstein for a concert.
The decoration of the venue was disappointingly restrained.
Champers again.
The chandeliers each weighed four tonnes.
Two female opera singers.
What is the word for three people. Two is a duet. They were terrific and fun too. Did you do this in Vienna too Victor?
Not only am I not so good with the camera, I am not so good with filming either, but I tried. A Strauss waltz in Vienna, how stereotypical, but it was good fun. It was great night and here is a short video that I thought might be classy. It isn't.
It has been a very full day and on the way back to the boat, we toured the Ringstrassen again. We have another day in Vienna yet.
Four tonne chandeliers!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd goodness, what ornate walls and ceiling in your video.
It does sound truly wonderful. Thank you.
Quite an amazing place EC, although we saw a number of others similar, I think this was the most impressive.
DeleteYes Andrew, we did the same things. So far your cruise has sounded identical to ours so I am enjoying my own trip anew (somewhat enviously) through reading about yours.
ReplyDeleteVictor, yours was Scenic Tours wasn't it? Ours was APT. I am surprised they are identical.
DeleteNo Andrew, we also travelled APT on the Amabella.
DeleteThe building are very beautiful, those ceilings glad I'm not painting them and those chandeliers, I wouldn't like to stand under them just in case, and the cakes I think I would love this place.
ReplyDeleteMerle..........
The chandeliers would sure flatten you Merle. The cakes, the cakes. Divine.
DeleteOf the thousands of cities on earth, The World's Greatest City each year lists, in order, the top 10. It is based on climate, public transport, universal health care, parks and gardens, architecture etc etc.
ReplyDeleteEvery year Australian and Canadian cities take most of the top spots... Except for Vienna. Expensive yes but utterly gorgeous.
Hels, it is expensive, but what a city.
DeleteWow, the Austrian cakes are delicious. The Vienna waltz sounds very beautiful and impressive. I Have never been to Vienna but I am going to visit in In July now I am convinced it's the best choice. The Stephen's Church is similar to other famous in Europe but it so big and original one. Thanks fro sharing photos
ReplyDeleteGosia, the cakes were lovely. It is well worth a visit, but as Hels says, a bit expensive.
DeleteBeautiful photos....I spent three days there last month but it was for work so I saw nothing! :(
ReplyDeleteC'mon Kath. Can you really visit Vienna and see nothing?
DeleteWere you being a little 'tongue in cheek' when you said the concert venue was unadorned Andrew.. There's way to much gilt for that to be true :). I enjoyed your short video, what a super experience you guys had.
ReplyDeletePossibly I was understating, Grace. The things we saw........
DeleteI have a hankering for cake now...
ReplyDeleteFen, somehow I don't think they would be disappointing, as Acland Street cakes often are.
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