Budapest

My word, that's a good place. I may have the time to return to one or two oif these destinations and this is a good one. It is a bit spread out for someone who'd rather walk than take a bus/tram, but it is fantastic. Great buildings and a friendly atmosphere, even if some of the people look a little leery.

Sadly, I'm not sure the pictures will do anything resembling justice: the weather, while far from cold, was grey and a bit misty. You'll see soon. Buy stuff away from tourist bits, climb the hill rather than taking the funicular and drink the wine. Ossum. I spent some of the afternoon in a wine tasting room (you may be aware oif my interests in the regard). I am not familiar with most of the varietals I tried, but I am in favour of Tokay, possibly the first sweet wine to really charm me. There is, of course, a wide range of flavours, but two of the three I tried were well worth having, and superior to the closest I've had in NZ. But I've not had that many back home.

Vienna

Loads of great things to see here, such as Karlskirche, currently being repaired, and looking extraordinary:



This is the Arts Museum:

And then the Rathaus:

The main palace entrance

I dunno. Sorry.


Not-so-blue Danube

Salzburg piccies

And things near Salzburg. The very name means Salt, so it is no surprise that Salzburg has salt mining in the region. What is a surprise is how superb the salt mine tour is: flash technology, fun slides, interesting science (no, really!). Loved it. Even if

On the way to the salt mine in Berchtesgaten, you get sights like this:

Plus, you can also spot the Eagle's Nest - one of Hitler's places. The rest of the Nazi village up there got bombed or simply detonated into oblivion to ensure it didn't become a shrine.

Apparently, the mountain over which the von Trapps flee in The Sound of Music leads straight into Berchtesgaten, so not great navigation by the submarine captain there (yes, I know it is just a movie...).
Yes, Mozart came from here. Not that you'd ever have the chance to forget, what with the chocolates, museums, t-shirts and all the rest.

But the fortress up above has some fabulous views.

Oh

Vienna. I would so like to put some pictures up. Vienna is quite lovely. As you'd expect from the hub of a massive empire, money was not in short supply during much of its history. And because it has had many glorious successes, it is not dependent on a single entity for its self-promotion (pay attention Mozart-salesmen in Salzburg).
Tonight, I'm going to be terribly touristy and listen to a highlights package of Viennese music. Your mocking is expected, but it means nothing to me. The rhythm is calling.

Good day, all told. Saw many sights and spent a lot of time admiring art (despite the disappointing Bosch) in the Art History museum. It is an impressive town, but, like some other places, not a place I'd like to call home. It's a big city. Munich is the biggest city I've felt really comfortable in.

Bratislava (briefly) and Budapest tomorrow. Busy, busy, busy...

Austria

In Vienna. All is well, but again, limited access. More anon!

Salzburg Part 1

Just a day trip today. Actually just another one tomorrow, but a few extra hours there. Today I decided to see the new town and tomorrow the old. It also meant I could book up a host of rail tickets, and annoy the nice people at Austria's ticket office.

I didn't really get into the Salzburg spirit. It was kind of nice, but not exactly. And apparently they really don't want anything to do with the Sound of Music, except for the tourist dollars (and no, I did not ask: that was an unsolicited clarification)



Another day, another palace... I really am beginning to lose track of which Archbishop did what to whom in the Ballroom.


Very respectable fortress on the hill behind Salzburg - apparently it was never taken, and considering the place was ruled as a catholic fiefdom for over 1000 years I guess it must be true.


A Roman villa style castle was okay. But the gardens were excellent.


Here you go, fountain fans. Just to show that some of these water spouters are just plain rubbish.


This one's pretty good, though

Art

I have been terribly lax. (In so many ways over the years.)
There's you all thinking I'm some kind of fountain-obsessed weirdo, when I am not obsessed with fountains at all. Can't argue with the last bit, mind you.
Anyway, I showed my sensitive side, albeit with some weirdo thrown in for good measure. I finally saw a Hieronymous Bosch work. Yes, there were Rubens galore at the Altes Pinothek, and more Van Dyks, Tintorettos, Breughels and El Grecos than at which one could shake a stick, but nonetheless the Bosch stood out. Probably because I am a weirdo.

There's not really much point in describing it. Suffice to say it was worth returning to the museum and reclimbing the 50 (or so) steps to see it just one more time before I left. He was one messed-up fellow. Analyse away, amateur Sigmunds.

Today I did nothing. And exhausting it was too. I am trying to sort out a timetable that gets me to the cities I want to visit, but doesn't leave me abandoned on a railway station in eastern Europe crying for board. The trouble is, the more I organise, the less room there is for flexibility. Well, like, duh. Nonetheless, several of these things will require booking, so book them I must. I'd tell you now, but then you'd deride my plans and I'd have second thoughts. Besides, I'll probably change everything tomorrow. Suffice to say, I will be going to Austria. From there, probably a bit east, then north, then south-west... You know, dear reader, that if you said you'd be in x then I would meet you there, but you have made no such commitment and so to my own devices I am left.