Monday, May 18, 2009

AUSTRIA - VIENNA







We left for Vienna straight after breakfast & stopped by the summer palace of the Hofburg family who were the Royal family who, with the treaty at the end of WW1, were exiled from Austria. At least that’s what I think (again no brochure). We didn’t have long enough there to go through the actual palace but we could walk around the grounds & have something to eat. While there, Debbie & I went to a strudel making display. I have attached a bit of a video of the chef making it - he was actually a bit grumpy (see below).
Our hotel this time was a four star which was very nice & located close enough to walk to everything. We had a bit of a driving tour on our way to the hotel which gave us an idea of what we wanted to see. We first went to the local markets which had heaps & heaps of produce (first photo). Fruit, vegies, meat, pastries, chocolate & more - it was lovely! I bought some strawberries coated in thick white chocolate. Now I know I don’t like strawberries but I love them when they are like this. Go figure!
As we really only had the afternoon in Vienna we then just walked the city looking at things like the Hofburg winter palace (the second photo is of Monica, Fran & I with the Palace way in the background), St. Stephen's Cathedral, Opera House & all those important historical, touristy buildings & then did a bit of shopping & having lattes (which I am getting quite used to).
Interesting fact - Marie Therese was the first woman to rule Austria (her Dad had the rule changed as he had no sons) & she had 16 children in 20 years! So apparently we should be able to have a career & children if she managed a whole empire (which included more than just Austria) & had a shite load of kids at the same time.
Another interesting fact (not as good as the first one though) - there are ancient Roman ruins in Vienna (she photo number 3).

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