Vienna

I think I have finally recovered from jet lag! I slept well last night for the first time since leaving home. I woke at my regular time just before 6:00 and quickly our sunny day became darkened as we entered our first lock. It is unbelievable just how tight the fit is and then to think that in a relatively short time we are moved up in a “water elevator” to continue our trip up the river. We will do that 25 times on this cruise at one point reaching the highest point on earth that can be reached by boat – approximately 2000 feet above sea level!! That is crazy to even think about. At one point in the trip a lock worker will come on board while we are in one lock, give a lecture and disembark at the next lock. I know I’m a big nerd but I’m really looking forward to it! We also realized today that most structures on the sky deck can be lowered, including the captains bridge! In travelling under one of the countless bridges that spans the Danube, today everything on the sky deck was lowered and we were asked to go down one deck so that we could fit!! Life on the river is indeed interesting.

Most of the day today was spent on board. We enjoyed a talk from our cruise director, spent a leisurely day socializing, napping and of course eating and drinking. Often there were interesting sights to see on the river. At one point we were called to the sky deck as we travelled through Bratislava, the capital city of the Slovak Republic (formerly of course Czechoslovakia). It certainly isn’t difficult to amuse yourself for a day on the river.

We arrived in Vienna late afternoon and had to dock next to another boat already in port. In order to keep everyone located centrally, boats, on the agreements of captains, can dock parallel one to the other. Today that meant that, as second vessel in, we had to walk off our boat and through the lobby of the next boat before coming to the dock on the other side. It also means that when you look out through the sliding door in your stateroom on that side of the boat you are looking directly into the corresponding room on the next boat. You never know when this might happen so it’s quite important to make sure you are dressed before opening your curtains in the morning!

After a buffet dinner to ensure that we were finished in time, we boarded a coach to go to Weiner Konsert Haus, a Viennese concert hall, to enjoy the music of Mozart and Strauss preformed by Salonorchester Alt Wien. They perform without a conductor, instead relying on musical dialogue as they listen to each other’s playing. This awareness of one another is evident in watching them and we learned that this style of performance harkens back to the time of Strauss, who lead the orchestra from the position of first violin. The music was sheer magic and the awareness that we were listening to the music of Mozart and Strauss in Vienna only enhanced the experience.

Returning to the ship after dark was beautiful. We were somewhat taken aback on our trip to the Konsert Haus to realize that Vienna looks much the same as any other big, urban centre. After dark however Vienna really does become the city of my dreams and the drive back to the boat with commentary from the guide as the lights twinkled, the moon shone and the strains of the Blue Danube still played in my head, has me very much looking forward to our day tomorrow, getting to know Vienna more intimately.

Sunset on the Danube from our stateroom.

Bratislava, Slovakia - modern city, modern bridge, ancient castle!

The Avalon riverboat turning to re-dock.

Docked two abreast, against a boat, against a dock! We were on the outside so had to deck hop to get off!

In front of the Konzerthaus following the concert.