Austria, November 2009 - Last day in Vienna, back to Tripoli

Tracy and I got up around 5:30AM went to the lobby around 6:30 to wait on our cab which the hotel arranged for us the night before. The fare was only 33€ for the two of us vs the 60€ for one car using the online system. We got to the airport in plenty of time, checked in with no hassles. We walked to her gate, had tea at a café. Said our goodbyes when her gate opened. I walked down to my gate and popped into a quiet area to work on the journal. Arrived back at Tripoli on time.  Less than 30 days before we meet again in Paris for the holidays.

Hungary 2009 - Day Trip in Budapest

Got up at 5:30AM to get ready for the 6:30 pickup. The weather forecast was cold a rainy. On the bus ride, it looked like it might start to clear up. We drove through Budapest then stopped for a small photo break at the Millennium Monument then went to lunch at a hotel. Lunch was pretty good, Wiener Schnitzel. I had a good local lager with the meal. Next, we drove across the river and up to the hill to "Buda" for a walking tour in Watertown. It started raining so picture taking was minimal. Ironically, it stopped raining when we got back to the city "Pest". We were giving almost three hours to walk around on our own. The sun came out and was a beautiful sunset. Tracy and I went to the recommended café for coffee and cake. We walked around took pictures and went shopping. We ended up at the Le Merieden in the nice bar for a drink before heading to the bus. It was a long ride back to Vienna but we had a good time together. When we got back to the hotel we freshen up and went out to find an Italian restaurant for a pasta dinner. We found one close by, Tracy got her seafood pasta and I ordered a steak.

Austria, November 2009 - Chai Latte & Pater Ferris Wheel

Started with a big breakfast at the hotel again. The weather was cold a cloudy. We went walking through the city, started at Starbucks for a Chai Latte. Proceeded on to the Anker Clock to watch it at Noon. Not worth the wait. We went to the camera shop we found on the late night walk last night. We started walking to the Pater Ferris Wheel. Both of us were starting to get trusty so we popped into an Italian restaurant. I ordered a beer or two and Tracy had wine and a tea. After we wet our whistle, we continued our walk to the Pater Ferris Wheel and took a ride After we got off the weather started to clear. We took two U trains back to the hotel. We went back to the 1516 for dinner so Tracy can have her Wiener Schnitzel. This time we ordered the apple strudel for desert. Afterwards we went chocolate shopping and discovered that the remaining xmas light were finally on. I took a wrong turn somewhere and got lost for a few minutes until I got my bearings. We went back to the hotel had chocolate and Champagne. We played French-speaking games from my computer.

Austria, November 2009 - Thanksgiven 1516

Weather started cloudy but the sun came out for the rest of the day. Started with a big breakfast at the hotel. Went to the Albertina Art Museum as soon as they opened. After a tour of the museum, we walked over to the Butterfly house building and had a nice break in the café before we went into the Butterfly House. Then we went to the xmas village across the street for awhile before heading back to the hotel. Skyped the family in Florida, everyone was able to speak to Tracy. We then Skyped Tracy’s parents. After our calls it was time for our late lunch, we went to 1516 for the Thanksgiving meal.  It was just like being at home, the turkey was cooked perfect and we had all of the traditional sides.  I thought I was back home.  After the meal, we went back to the hotel. In the evening, we went on a walk through the city. Also, we went to the Bellevue Palace for night photos. As soon as we arrived, we only had time for a few pictures before they closed down the place.

Austria, November 2009 - Happy Birthday to me! - Danube Valley day trip

Birthday! Weather started cloudy but the sun came out for the rest of the day. Tracy was not felling well in the morning because she had too much wine last night. Danube Valley Tour took us North West to a nice hilly area (Kerms An Der Donau in the Wachau Valley) where we were able to walk around a small village and take pictures. We stopped at an outdoor cafe for some tea. Tracy started to feel better. We then headed further out to Melk, Austria where we had lunch. Tracy and I sat at our own table and finished before everyone else so we walked up the hill and took in the scenery. Next stop was the Benedictine Abbey for a tour of the place. Then back home and discovered that the hotel had brought a birthday cake and Champagne to the room..

Austria, November 2009 - Schonbrun Palace & Night tour of Vienna

Weather started cloudy but the sun came out for the rest of the day. Had breakfast at the Anker café near the hotel. Took the U4 to the Schonbrun Palace. Went on the tour of the palace. Went through the cast iron green house. Had lunch at the Glorietta on the hill of the palace grounds. We toured the xmas shops that were setup in the front of the palace. Bought a wine sample kit, which came with three local wines. I had a mulled wine with baileys. Afterwards took the U4 and headed back to the hotel. We had a trip planned for the Night Tour of Vienna that took us to the new city were we went up on the Danube Tower for evening pictures. My photos did not come out. I had no tripod so everything was bury. The wind was very strong. Then we went north of the city to the hills where we had a small dinner of potatoes and bread and sampled some wine. Tracy and I went across the street to a local bar for a private drink. We met up with the tour group and headed home. Had two bottles of wine before bed.

Austria, November 2009 - First full day in Vienna

Weather started cloudy but the sun came out for the rest of the day. We had breakfast at a café in the Best Western. Nice place but creepy waiter. Walked over to the Albertina Art Museum to see what time they opened and checked out prices. Went on the Red Tour Bus city tour. Screaming baby on board, you have to be kidding. Bought ice-wine at the only stop on the tour. It was an out-of-the-way alley with shops. The attraction was the way the houses were built. Very artsy with trees growing out of the walls. Beautiful day despite the weather forecast. Had lunch at the pizza place that Troy and I went to the first time I was in Vienna. Walked over to a xmas cabana across the street from where we had lunch. Tracy and I both had mulled wine and pastries. Walked back to hotel, stopped and picked up cheese and meat at a xmas hut near the Opera House. Then we went to a grocery store and bought Champagne. Had dinner in the hotel with the goodies we pick upped.

Austria, November 2009 - Back in Vienna with Tracy

Left work for the airport around 2PM. Arrived in Vienna around 6PM. When the plane landed I texted Tracy to let her know I arrived. Got to the Intercontinental around 7PM. I picked up the room key that Tracy had left at the desk and went up. We got reacquainted and I unpacked. We were both hungry so decided to walk around, and ended up at 1516, I had Wiener Schnitzel. We noticed that 1516 was offering Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday so Tracy and I book dinner for Thanksgiving 3PM. Walked around a bit then went back to the hotel.