Wombats hostel in Vienna gave another access challenge for Denis, our intrepid bus driver. After a brief tour of the city trying to get close to it, we had to admit defeat and make the final 200m uphill trek, loaded with our backpacks, daypacks, handbags, etc. The hostel was buzzing with activity when we arrived and had a lively bar. As I made my bed with clean sheets, I noticed it was also buzzing with activity. Luckily, I won my first battle of the bed bugs without a suffering a single scar, but it could be a long war.
Still in the honeymoon period of getting to know each other, we all agreed to a group dinner at a tiny restaurant down the road. As we piled in through the door there were just enough seats to accommodate us, a piano by the door and Granny, sat at a table surrounded by books, cards, family photos and a huge, stuffed St Bernard to keep her company. With only the cook and the owner to serve, dinner took a while to arrive, but was well worth the wait. Some talented musicians in the group even used the opportunity to improve their rendition of 'Chopsticks' and other well known piano pieces.
After that, most of us went on to a well known 'travellers' bar to sample the local beer, wine and cocktails. There's nothing like a 'Quick F**k' to get the night off to a good start.
Next morning, everyone went off in small groups to pursue their itinerary of choice, whether it be watching Lippezaner horses train , visiting the opera, or just wandering. I was really looking forward to catching up with my aunt and uncle after our summer hols together and Gusti didn't let me down. After visiting Geoff, temporarily in hospital with a chest infection, we spent the day wandering round the market, sampling the local Sturm (a type of raw wine), visiting the sights, and catching up on the family gossip. As I sat in the beautiful reception lounge of the famous Hotel Sacher, sipping my tea and delicately nibbling my original Sachertorte, I felt the picture of elegance, in my flip flops, walking shorts and vest top.
Finally, not to be missed, we travelled out to the weinhaus area of Grinzing, where each pub restaurant serves wine from its own vineyard and good home cooking. Roast pork and crackling with dumpling! Yummy.
Still in the honeymoon period of getting to know each other, we all agreed to a group dinner at a tiny restaurant down the road. As we piled in through the door there were just enough seats to accommodate us, a piano by the door and Granny, sat at a table surrounded by books, cards, family photos and a huge, stuffed St Bernard to keep her company. With only the cook and the owner to serve, dinner took a while to arrive, but was well worth the wait. Some talented musicians in the group even used the opportunity to improve their rendition of 'Chopsticks' and other well known piano pieces.
After that, most of us went on to a well known 'travellers' bar to sample the local beer, wine and cocktails. There's nothing like a 'Quick F**k' to get the night off to a good start.
Next morning, everyone went off in small groups to pursue their itinerary of choice, whether it be watching Lippezaner horses train , visiting the opera, or just wandering. I was really looking forward to catching up with my aunt and uncle after our summer hols together and Gusti didn't let me down. After visiting Geoff, temporarily in hospital with a chest infection, we spent the day wandering round the market, sampling the local Sturm (a type of raw wine), visiting the sights, and catching up on the family gossip. As I sat in the beautiful reception lounge of the famous Hotel Sacher, sipping my tea and delicately nibbling my original Sachertorte, I felt the picture of elegance, in my flip flops, walking shorts and vest top.
Finally, not to be missed, we travelled out to the weinhaus area of Grinzing, where each pub restaurant serves wine from its own vineyard and good home cooking. Roast pork and crackling with dumpling! Yummy.
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