Vienna - Day 1

September 25 Vienna, Day 1

We left Gyor at around 9 am. Before we left, Michelle fed a very thin, black campsite cat. The kitty really enjoyed our leftover chicken and hung around the vehicle until we pulled out. We quickly found a gas station to fill Gracie up with the cheap Hungarian diesel. We also wanted to get rid of our forints before we got to Austria. Our highway permit had expired and so we had to purchase another to get us through the rest of Hungary. We had to stop a second time just as we crossed into Austria as this country also requires motorists to have a permit to drive on the highways.

The motorway in Austria is called the autobahn and the speed limit is 130. I hovered around 100 to 110 for most of the drive. Gracie really does handle like a car and is very peppy when I have to pass a convoy of trucks which are supposed to drive at reduced speed.

We found Wien West without too much difficulty, although I did have to drive through Vienna. However, it was very smooth sailing with multiple lanes and good directions from Lori. We chose a spot on our own as the reception was closed. (Most campsite reception offices are closed from 12 to 3) and realizing that there was WiFi here, I turned on the computer to check emails and update the blog. Once the reception opened we registered and got some information on the things we want to do and hear in Vienna. We booked tickets for a Mozart concert for tomorrow night and also bought tickets for a tour of the city tomorrow. Since the forecast says rain, we figured that a guided tour that alleviates waiting in lines (especially at the Schonbrunn Palace) is well worth it.

We got information on how to get to the centre of the city and then headed out to catch a bus and the underground (uban) to the city. The entire trip took less than 30 minutes and again, as in other cities, we got to see the people of Vienna going about their daily activities. Like many other cities, getting on the Uban is based on the honour system. However, we have been told that it is not a good idea to be caught without a ticket. It costs 1,70 Euro to go one way, anywhere, on multiple transit systems, if necessary, in Vienna. Unfortunately, on the way back we couldn't find a ticket seller anywhere and so we broke the law and got on the Ubahn without a ticket. However, when it came time to transfer to a bus, we bought a ticket from the driver.

It started to rain while we were roaming around Vienna and it is now pouring rain as I sit here writing this entry. I am attempting to connect to the Internet, but the signal is very weak tonight. The sound of the rain, and "no mosquitoes in sight" should mean a good sleep tonight.