Austria

Wow, so much to update you on. I couldn't decide if I was going to do lots of little blog entries, or one big one. I am going with one big entry so here goes.
SALZBURG
Salzburg was beautiful. We really enjoyed our two days there and did loads of touristy activities. We bought a Salzburg tourist card for 25 euros which allowed us to use public transport to get around and free entry to the tourist destinations. We got maximum value out of our card as we went on a cable car ride, took a boat cruise along the river, took a lift up to a look out point, visited the fortress of the city, and finally visited Mozart's birth place and the house he grew up in. We also found a beer house where we wanted to eperience the local drinking traditions. Its tucked away in an alley and as you open the door there is only a long hallway. We were not sure we were in the right place but futher investigaiton along the hallway led us to another door that opened up to an outside area with loads of people drinking steins and eating schnitzel. I could only manage one stein before my tummy was full of beer and meat.

My new jugs!

Streets of Salzburg

View point from the look out. This is the fortress that we visited.

Salzburg at night

VIENNA

Most of the time we were in Austria was spent in Vienna. Vienna is such an easy city to get around as it has great public transport. Nath and I were using the metro and trams like we had lived there all our lives. I had fun making up my own pronunciations of German words! We did a little bit of sight seeing in Vienna but the main reason we were there was for Zane and Romana's wedding and to meet their daughter Lena, who turned 6 months old on the day of the wedding. They had planned lots of activities for the guests to do as most guests had travelled some way and it provided lots of opportunities to catch up with people and meet new ones. We painted plates and cups as a wedding momento, had stag and hens parties, met for dinner at an outdoor film and food festival, obviously the wedding, and then lunch the following day at a great winery just out of the city. The wedding itself was awesome. It was on a boat and we cruised along the Danube river. The party was supposed to end at midnight but we paid the staff to keep going until 1:30am. Then it was time to hit the town and in Naths case loose your bag and get lost! Eventually Nath found his way home in a taxi but because he lost his bag I had to meet his taxi driver to pay his fare. The following day we re-traced our pub route and found his bag which was very lucky.

Painting of the cups and plates

Nath and his neice Lena

The wedding party

Nath and I at the wedding

Schonbrunn Summer Palace - beautiful gardens

BRATISLAVA (not in Austria but Slovakia)
We took a day trip to Bratislava and didnt get a stamp in our passport. Disappointing. It was an hour bus trip and only 11 euros return. We wandered around the local markets and watched some dancers as there was a festival in the main square. There is a castle over looking the city so walked up the hill and had a look around. When it came to lunch time we were surprised at how much cheaper food and drink was. Travelling over an invisable boarder line saved us lots of euros - excellent. Beer was 90 euro cents and wine 1.20. Red bull was really expensive though so because Im good at saving I had a beer instead. Romana later old us that many Viennese people travel to Bratislava to do their shopping as it is worth it for the cheaper prices.

Sadly we are back in London. Next time we see Lena she we will be walking and talking. One of the difficult things about living so far away from home. Check out facebook for loads more photos.