postcards

Well we made it to Vienna, though some of our luggage took longer than the rest of us.
The apartment we are renting is small but well set out. Good to start the day and return to to collapse at the end of the day. It is close to the local Ubahn or underground train and the Summer Palace which is a massive place of gardens, fountains and grand buildings.

Spent the first two days here settling in and trying to find our missing bag, but today we had our first outing, going to the zoo and the maze in the grounds of the summer palace, the Shömbrünn. One of the oldest zoos in the world (1760?) and while not as well appointed as Melbourne still quite impressive. Said to have some Giant Pandas but as elusive as the tigers at Melbourne.
Siobhan and Kiara flagged as we wandered around the zoo, but perked up for the maze (also in the grounds of the palace) which was quite fun. Then crawled home on the Ubahn, 3 whole stops.

Evenings have been spent with Cath’s friend and her twin girls. This seems to be a highlight all on its own for our girls, and we have indulged in freshly made strudel to put back on the weight we lost walking all day.

Hope to visit the galleries and museums in central Vienna tomorrow, so better get some rest.

Well here we are hardly arrived and now about to go. Had a busy 3 days and now ready to pack and fly.

Thursday we went of a tour out of town to Bang Pa-in, the out of town resident of the royal family when Bangkpok gets too unpleasant. A curious mix of architectual style, some French, some Chinese some Thai. Next on to Ayutthaya one of the old capitals. On the UNESCO world heritage list and full of fascinating old ruins of Wats and palaces.
Then a leisurely trip down river on a cruiser with lunch. All parts accompanied by a very informative if a bit verbose guide.

Friday we did the tourist thing around Bangkok, seeing the Royal Palace and Wat Pho.Bueatiful architecture with lots of gold and sparkles and mirrors. Seems the place is in constant repair though. Given its size there probable get through one round of refurbishment and then need to start again at the other end.

Unfortunately on way home hit one of Bangkok’s traffic jams. Two hours to travel about 20km. But at least we got to try fried bannana from a vendor wandering up and down the traffic lanes.

Saturday we hit the local shopping complex to do some souvenir hunting before resting and swimming through the afternoon.

Tonights flight could be a killer. Leave at midnight for a 10 hour flight that lands in Vienna about 5:30am. The time zones are a killer. Not sure when I will get on again. Maybe sometime in Vienna, so bye for now.

Well we have made it OS.
Flight seemed to go on for ever. First you get to the airport two hours early, then sit. Get on the plane then take off. Dinner then a movie and still 6 hours to go. Try to sleep, another movie, drinks, another meal then still two hours go. But at last here.
Bangkok is a fascinating contrast. Modern concrete and slapped together tin. Heat and steam. We travelled from the airport on new concrete tollways past modern high rise and glaring advertisement bringing images of modern Los Angeles. Once we are off these and down to ground level it is narrow crowded streets, at midnight, with street side stalls and motor bikes scooting every where. Bit like “Blade Runner”.

Crashed into bed very quickly. Our body clocks saying it is 3:00am.

Quiet day today just getting orientated and dipping in the pools. Mikala is so grown up and Aaron is cruising the furniture. Girls happy to play with their cousins. Morning hot and steamy, afternoon down poor and massive storm. Very impressive from the 11th floor.

Hope to get on top of things after a day of rest and planning.

Well here we are less than a week to go and finally got time to do a post. Not content with organising a trip to Europe we also decide Siobhan better have her first communion before we go and the long awaited bathroom renovation should start now. Oh well have to be busy.
The first communin was very low key but Siobhan got lots of pats on the back from everyone after which she found equally confirming and embarrasing. Better post a phot of her.

The renovation is a pain as we have been trying to get it started for months, but you can’t rush tradesmen. Maybe that is worth a picture or two as well. Or maybe a seperate thread? Tonight I think.

Better get back to lunch and marking reports before I go. 🙂

Here we are just two weeks out from leaving and the planning is coming together.

Have the tickets, have a general itineray and excitment builds.

Stopped this, advised them, ordered the other. Hope we know what we are doing.

But at least we have things like Venice and Bavaria to look forward too.