ON SCENIC PEARL IN VIENNA

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Finally we are able to log in again and write a blog, but this will be the last one anyway from Europe, as we only have two more nights on our lovely river ship. The trip has been a dream, and we have seen so many wonderful and interesting places. Our only complaint is that we were not able to spend more time in some of the places. Maybe another time. A few days ago, we had an interesting horse and cart ride with wine and singing at the half-way place. Lots of fun. The last few days have been very interesting with firstly a bus trip to a place called Cesky Krumlov, in the Czech Republic. What a beautiful place. It is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, and on having a tour through it on foot, we can see the reason for its listing. It was a fairly long drive in a bus to get there, but the trip itself was so interesting and the countryside beautiful as well. We have had a tour through an historic Abbey in a place called Melk, and the history there was amazing also. The Abbey dated from the years 1100 and earlier. On that same day the ship sailed further down the river towards a lovely and also historic town called Durnstein, and a whole group of people cycled the 32 klms, including Donald. The bike track follows the Danube all the way. Donald had also done two previous bike rides, one 13 klms and the other 24 klms. Said his backside was feeling a bit sore, but he thoroughly enjoyed the bike rides. The bides are e-bikes, power assisted, so good for going up small inclines. Yesterday we arrived early in Vienna, and had a city tour. It is a beautiful place, and I would have liked to explore it more today, but the weather has turned bad with rain and wind. Till now the weather during the trip has been lovely except for the first couple of days. This morning we had a bus trip into Slovakia, to its Capital, Bratislava. It is also very historic, but since the weather was unpleasant with constant rain, it made the trip less enjoyable. We were trying to shuffle cameras, umbrellas and hearing devices (for listening to the tour guide), but we all survived, even though Carol stepped right into a deep puddle and saturated one shoe and sock. Going into a coffee shop after the tour guide left us, was the best part today, as it was warm and dry inside. So this afternoon Donald is asleep and Carol is catching up on the iPad. This evening we have a big night with drinks with the Captain, followed by the Captain's special dinner, whatever that is going to be, and also a special "whiskey" tasting thing. Well that won't interest us too much, but we may have a taste, just the same. Before the trip I said I would have a different cocktail every day before dinner. Well I have had the Cocktail each day, but mostly the same one, Piña Colada. Very nice!! Last night we had a lovely night at a beautiful Palace in Vienna where we were treated to a concert of Strauss and Mozart music from an orchestra, with opera singers, and two ballet dancers, the female was the principal ballet dancer of the Austrian Ballet Theatre. So tomorrow we arrive in Budapest, our last full day, where we have a boat tour of the city in the morning, and in the afternoon Donald is going on another bike ride of the city. While he does that, Carol will do a bus and walking tour of the city followed by a piano concert. Then we have our final night on the boat. Wednesday we begin our long trip home, catching a train back to Vienna to get to the airport there, and then the flight home via Dubai arrives in Brisbane early Friday morning. So catch up with all again sometime soon. Donald and Carol

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