I posted last week about my fabulous recent stay in Vienna. Now it is time to drag out the slide projector and subject you to my vacation photos. Wait! There’s only a few and they are all so cute! I promise it will be loads of fun. Plus you get my witty commentary! Come back!!
Swiss Air flight from Shanghai to Zurich – 14 hours of hell! But beautiful view of pure blue above and fluffy white below. This is always my preferred seat – just at the trailing edge of the wing. I’ve got to supervise the flight and make sure the flaps are properly extended, the ailerons are functioning and the spoilers are used correctly. This was my first trip with Swiss Air and I have to say it was just like Lufthansa but red and white. (Lufthansa flights to/from China have been wonderful for me.)
*Click-Click of the slide carousel*
Somewhere over East Switzerland, descending towards Zurich. This is my first glimpse of Switzerland, the land of cheese, chocolate and watches. My stereotypes were not challenged upon landing in Zurich. There is a little train connecting the terminals there called the “skytrain.” Funny how the “skytrain” is subterranean… Anyway, the skytrain ride was enhanced by a soundtrack of gentle cow bells and the occasional moo and baa. Just as I thought, Switzerland seems to be populated mostly by cows and sheep. Then in the shopping arcade, I found my suspicions founded that their only products are Lindt chocolate and Swatch watches.
*Click-Click On to Vienna*
Four years ago on our first trip to Vienna, the DH and I were impressed by the neighborhood Punsch stand. Punsch for me, Bier for the DH. Here I am with friend T at the Keplerplatz Punsch stand. Yea, we’d already had a few lovely sparkly beverages at this point. But Punsch – oh Punsch! A delicious, spicy mulled wine type drink that is perfect in the winter cold. I know it says “Hot Dog” in big letters right beside us, but I assure you, the Punsch stand is classy. Especially when there with T & D, two of the classiest gals in Keplerplatz!
*Click-Click next up – embarrassing photo*
Speaking of classy, here T and I are enjoying the spa life in the Mies Van Der Rohe suite at the Vienna Hilton. That’s right, the suite. It was right next door to the Presidential Suite and was pretty much bigger than my apartment. I could get used to luxury digs like that. T reserved an “executive” room at the Hilton for pre-wedding preparations and was unprepared for the level of glamour awaiting her. The views were amazing and it was a special treat to spend a few hours there relaxing with T pre-wedding. Thanks T!
*Click-Click here’s actual proof I was in Vienna*
The suite gave us a birds-eye-view of the Vienna Stock Exchange and, more importantly, the Tricaffe. Located inside the stock exchange building, just there on the lower right hand corner of the orange building, where the columns are, the Tricaffe is a little Italian jewel and the setting for T & G’s wedding. (See the Romantic Vienna post!)
*Click-Click fast forward to a night out in the old city
I had such an amazing time in Vienna catching up with my friend T and helping her prepare for the wedding, I didn’t really get a lot of sightseeing in. But that was not the point of this trip and I had already seen so much when the DH and I previously visited. We did, however, manage a little girls’ night out with T and T’s sister, also T. A little T & T night, I guess. Here I am in the city center, on the Graben, one of the main thoroughfares in Vienna. (and shopping central!) The whole center is lit with these beautiful chandeliers.
*Click-Click Alright, a few more photos around the Graben*
Okay, I am not making any sort of comment on the nature of our night out, here. We were very well behaved and only sipped a few glasses of Prosecco and wine. What this photo does comment on is the dreamy quality Vienna evokes for me. Those who live there grow quickly used to the architecture and beauty on every street, but I find it a kind of wonderland. Despite my deplorable Deutsch skills, this is a place I would love to live!
More from Vienna in my next post and on Photo Friday!
*This was supposed to be my Wordless Wednesday post, but how could I not comment on these photos? WW will return next week.
