First Pula. Drove by the roman amphitheatre, took a picture, then got back
in the car and left for the airport (a la Chevy Chase's Vacation)
because we were worried that we needed more than 2 hours to change our
reservations and catch the plane. Boy were we wrong. There are only 2 flight
times a day out of Pula, 6 am and our 3 pm to Zagreb (some days they do an 11 pm
to London instead of the afternoon flight to Zagreb). So, the airport is
basically closed until 1 hour before the flight. We decided it wasn't worth
going back to town, so sat at a more or less empty airport until 2 when people
arrived and lights were turned on. Then our airplane arrived - the kind that
still has propellers. So about 15 of us got on a plane that holds 46. The
funny thing is that there were two customs officers for all 15 of us. When the
plane stops, we go to get off, but luckily the stewardess stopped us - unlike or
original flight, this one stopped in Zadar first.
Arrived in Vienna just fine. While I went to information to see about a
place for the night, Cathy paid the bill for two cokes we had had, which cost
just under 5 euros. She was so used to kunas in Croatia (6 to the dollar), that
with out thinking she round up the bill and left a 10 euro - about $12! Found
a pension in the center of town for a good rate - not the character I was
hoping for, but great location and friendly people.
On Saturday, it was cold and mix of snow and rain. Visited St. Stephen's
church - huge, >800 years old. Went for a horse & buggy ride around city
- mainly to stay warm. Decided to go to northern suburbs for dinner - known for
their wines. Got on wrong train by accident and ended up 30-45 minutes outside
of city. Our 3 day transportation pass did not cover the train, but luckily
the conductor took pity on us a just told us to get off at next stop without
charging us. We got on a return bus we thought was "legal", only to be told by
the next conductor that we were outside the zone for our pass. He too took
pity on us and did not charge us. When I told him where we were going, he
informed us the stop no longer exists. We got off at the one just passed that.
Then we realize there is no restaurants and the next subway is not due for 30
minutes. Saw a bus and got on it figuring anywhere was better than there;
besides we were freezing. Ended up at a pub only a few stops from our pension,
just 3+ hours later. The restaurant we found had a pub atmosphere. I got both
of my favorites - wiener schnitzel & goulash soup.
After yesterday's crazy day, today is tame. Had to change to the hotel we
pre-paid for. Not as fond of location, but otherwise okay. Went on a tour of
the southern Vienna Woods about 30 minutes outside the city (no need to do the
north after last night). Visited a convent where 8 nuns and the mother superior
have taken vows of silence (couldn't do it!). Used to be a hunting lodge for
the royal family, but when prince killed himself there, turned into convent.
Turned his bedroom where died into a church. Also visited Baden (known for
their hot spring baths), a monastery, and an underground lake. The lake is a
result of a mine explosion that accidentally hit an underground spring in 1912.
The mine was shut down until WW2 when Germans used to assemble planes (could
stay hidden from enemies). Now, can take boat ride on lakes and throughout
caverns. The water is extremely clear and supposedly drinkable.
Going to concert of Mozart & Strauss tonight & Schonbrun Castle
tomorrow. Right now we are recuperating for a few hours. I would like to go
out to my old house, but not sure I want to brave the cold. Anyway, there is a
UN office there now, so likely not the same.
Will try to get one more email in before we leave on Tuesday morning. Auf
Weidersehen!
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