Austria

I thought a train was the way to see the country but I am wrong. A river cruise is definitely the way. The views are amazing. I love the crisp air and the food especially the food. I am going to need to swim a lot when. I get home. This mornings cruising.

This afternoon we went into Vienna for a tour of the town finishing with the St Stephens church. Vienna was abuzz as people come for the New Year's Eve opera.

One guy (you know that guy... There's always one guy) one Irish guy packed a sad and yelled at the receptionist and demanded to leave the boat immediately today. After puttin on my detective hat I found out he wasn't happy because everyone was old!!! Me? old? anyway he was nothing to write home about (oops I am writing home about it) anyway he was bald. Apparently his mother told him to come on the cruise!!

The locks are so clever. We got to see us going through a lock today and it is so clever and I now understand it. the Danube river is the only European river to run west to east. It was so interesting listening to who owns how many km of the river. Some countries only own one side.

Series of pics showing our entry and exit of the lock.

The lock

3 countries in one day

Today began at 3.30am after a great sleep. A taxi to the airport, a quick coffe and we were off to Linz in Austria. As we got into the high country of Austria there was snow on the ground! not fresh but snow all the same. An hour at Linz for some pastries and then we were on our next train to Passau. everything ran smoothly and we were picked up at the train station and delivered to our boat the Amaedus brilliant. Over 100 passengers on board and only 17 speak English and probably that many again are under 70 lol. That's ok we are here to relax and we have a lovely room and nice Austrian wine to drink. 

At our welcome drink this evening we had a beautiful sunset. We have tea at 7.30 at table 17. The odds of being able to speak their language is pretty slim.

Ok dinner over and I was right we were seated with the only four french speaking guests. But we ended up having a great night learning French and them learning English. The meal was a 5 course extravaganza and the wine was free flowing. Finished off with a beautiful cognac which I was taught how to drink. Met up with a South African family about the ame age as me so I am please now I am lying in bed as we go down in the lock.... Which has taken me a long time and a lot of observing to understand. That's ok cos I have 22 to experience in the next week.

Last day in Prague

Walking home from the pub reeking of cigarette smoke there was a large explosion. Mel hid behind me and I was heading to get under the closest car. It was like fireworks except with out the pretty colours. There have been about 3 or more since. What is it about these European towns and their loud bangs in the night.

I succumbed to the masses and bought a wheely bag today. Was so proud of myself because I looked at 2 shops first to compare prices and thought I had myself a good deal until...

Heading down to the metro n the way home and what do I spot? 50% off luggage. I swore a lot for the next 20 mins as this is the story of my life. I am always missing out on the bargains just around the corner.

Anyway back to my (gold plated) new luggage. It is packed and ready to go in the morning. The only trouble is is that my pack is also packed ready to go!!! Where had I put everything before my new purchase?

Upon arrival in Prague I thought the cobbled streets were beautiful however after a few rides around town I must say they are not the most comfortable  to ride upon. I feel sorry for the car what must this vibration do to the nuts and bolts of the motor vechile. I have also observed when walking upon these beautiful cobbles that the gaps are filled with smoke butts and doggy do. I would not like to be venturing home on these with a few (Ummm... A few more) under my belt.

Cabbage is the other thing I have been thinking about. I had noticed this odd smell on my arrival into Prague and especially on public transport and after last nights tea I have realised that Czheck people eat too much cabbage and it is not good for the digestive system.

We walked across the Charles bridge today with a throng of other tourists. Getting a photo was absolutely hopeless as you tried to avoid heads in your picture while holding onto you bag with the other hand to avoid the pickpocketers. We followed this up with more local Kai for lunch and a visit to the train station to sort out tomorrow's trip back to germany?this will include crossing into Austria, a change of trains so fingers crossed we make it all the way to passau. 4.15 wake up in the morning so might head to bed now.

Oh nearly forgot... I had a lovely surprise when arriving back to the hotel tonight as I had a bunch of beautiful roses delivered from my baby girl. What a lovely surprise.

Prague Day 2

After a terrible night of tossing and turning by me we headed down to breakfast. It's been a while since we've had breakfast provided with our room although the selection was not much to rave about.

We are tramming it while in Prague as this seems easier to get around.

The astronomical clock in the old town is a bit of a novelty as every hour it entertains a huge crowd with its antics. Characters pop out and at the end someone on the tower plays the trumpet with applause from the crowd to finish. 

Speaking of crowd this would be the most touristy place we have found yet. I think if we were staying in town we wouldn't have seen any locals. It is to expensive for them so they live on the outskirts. Prague has a population of 1.2 million spread out over a large area as it used to be 4 stand alone towns with their own jurisdiction.

We climbed up the powder tower which was where they kept the gunpowder in the war. From here we had a 360o view of beautiful Prague.

A fish pedicure was very entertaining for everyone else as we were sat in the window while lots of small fish ate the dead skin off our feet. A very unusual experience which felt tingly.

Tonight we went on a Prague by night tour of the city and then a dinner river cruise. The city tour was spoilt by an Italian Family who kept on talking when the guide was telling them something. They were so rude in the end I told them to shush.  Dinner began with a shot of Becherovka 38% made from herbs and spices. The rest of the dinner was more like KFC which was disappointing as I thought it would be traditional food. A little like the halong bay food :( but a nice view anyway. My attempt at photography from the boat was hopeless and I will have to perfect this before Sunday.

I think I have a handle on the czheck money (the Koran) now and realised that last night when I thought I was giving all my small change for a tip after tea I actually gave them more than my meal cost in change. A 50  20 and  10 dollar is a coin not a note. 

Will have to head home soon if I keep that up.

To Prague

Our journey began from Berlin and as we got more into east Berlin you could see how much still hasn't been rebuilt since the war. As you near the chzeck republic the scenery changes and we cruised along beside the Elbe river. Houses dotted along the other side were mirrored in the river below. The river and rail track are surrounded by the Elbe sandstone mountain which at some points look like the pancake rocks

Excuse the pic the windows were filthy.

At the German border once again armed police entered the train and walked through all the coaches before we could continue.

This was the first train we have been on that has had a dining coach. It reminded me of the orient express. I had a lovely Czech lager and Wiener schnitzel. ( tasted like no other schnitzel I have had before, I don't know how you get meat tthat tender)

Getting to our hotel was a little tricky with a metro train and then a bus before a walk up a cobbled street hill. The area seems slightly dodgy although it is night.

Our room at half the price of Berlin is a little on the backpacker side and the beds are rock hard and pillows as thin as a towel.

We dropped our gear and headed down to the corner pub for tea. A homely chicken curry was consumed in a hazy room of smoke with a dog curled up on the floor. Home for a shower it's been a while since I've walked out of a bar stinking of smoke.

Xmas day in Berlin

Waking up today I felt like I had already had xmas yesterday especially after watching kod and the Russell's open their prezzys. 

Christmas brecky for us was always going to be a bratwurst so off to the markets we went.

Across The road was the fastest lift in Europe that took us up to a tower for a 360o panoramic view  of Berlin. It was very helpful to have up there pictures documenting where the landmarks were as well as a brief history of Berlin. 

Back to the market for lunch which was goulash potatoes and another sossy.

Our afternoon was spent on the west side admiring the artwork on the Berlin Wall better known as the east side gallery. It is really disappointing to see the graffiti ruining the artists work. What point is there to scribbling over someone's work with illegible writing and drawing?

Home to pack and get ready for our next country. The chzeck republic, Prague. I am looking forward to getting a fish pedicure.

Christmas Eve in Berlin

So much for the early start! we slept in  but got to have breakfast at the market. Goulash, cabbage, sausage and potato... so good. 

Today we thought we would just use our sense of direction which was really stupid cos mel doesn't  have any. Was great to find things we may not have found on the map. The east vs west story I found very intestinga and the two different opinions are very different. Even though it was 50 yrs ago you can still spot an east Berlin from a West Berlin.

 I felt there was an eerie stillness in the city. You may have been in a xmas market drinking, laughing and singing and then you turn the corner and there is nothing... Not a sound and it is so weird.

A few things were closed today so they are now on our to do list tomorrow which will be a great way to spend xmas.

The best part of my day was my baby face timing me from kristys place and I hot to be part of their xmas as they opened their presents. My special handmade present from Ciara reduced me to tears.

Xmas eve dinner was perfection a Mediterranean 4 course dinner now up to bed to wait for Santa.