I'm standing high above Vienna, about to slide down the OUTSIDE of the Danube Tower.
This seemed like an excellent idea from the ground.
Actually, it still seems like an excellent idea!
The elevator ride alone was entertaining, whisking us up 150 metres in just 35 seconds at a speedy 22 km/h, complete with colourful lights and music. The views from the tower were spectacular, but the real reason we'd come was THE SLIDE.
And it did not disappoint.
MAXIMUM THRILLING!!
See videos below. ;)
A little trip down memory lane
We'd parked the Gnu beneath a university, where I managed to pay twice for a visit to the underground WC. Oops. At least we're getting better at navigating public transit!
After finally tearing ourselves away from the lovely tower, we walked across a floating bridge on the Danube and made our way to the famous Prater Ferris wheel.
I'd been here before, as a child travelling with my Mum. It was rather lovely to see it again after all these years.
We also visited the wonderfully quirky Hundertwasser House before deciding our feet had done quite enough for one day.
A bus ride back to the Gnu, a delicious salad Cotty had prepared earlier, and we were on our way out of Vienna in search of a peaceful place to sleep.
Bratislava, from every angle
The next morning we crossed into Slovakia and headed for Bratislava.
We enjoyed the beautiful Blue Church and the rather futuristic UFO Bridge, which we managed to admire from several different angles thanks to a missed turn.
Sometimes getting lost is practically a sightseeing strategy. LOL.
Then we spotted what looked like a health-food store. Cotty stopped, and with a little help from Google Translate, I finally found something we'd been searching for throughout most of the trip!
We also have a new travel ambition: learning to say thank you in every country we visit.
A small gesture, but a nice one.
Everything is HUGE in Budapest
Before heading into Budapest, we stopped for a double helping of curry and rice. Unable to find a grocery store, we followed it with a second lunch of avocado, cheese and crackers.
Apparently, sightseeing requires considerable fuel.
Budapest was gorgeous. And HUGE.
Huge buildings, huge monuments, huge everything!
We found the enormous thermal baths, which looked spectacular. If you enjoy sharing warm water with approximately a thousand other people, you should definitely check them out.
I was most happy with the shower afterwards — gloriously warm.
It was Halloween, and the city was hopping with people out enjoying themselves. We wandered among the magnificent buildings, eventually seeing the Parliament beautifully illuminated against the night sky.
Cotty also decided it was time to try some Hungarian goulash.
He was happy to have tried it, although I don't think he'll be waking up in the middle of the night screaming for another bowl.
The best nine hours
Eventually, we escaped the city and headed towards Romania, finding a rest stop for the night.
I fell asleep almost the instant my head hit the pillow and slept for a glorious NINE HOURS.
Nine!
There were some peculiar dreams involved, and we woke to what felt like our coldest morning yet, but what a sleep.
Three countries, one spectacular slide, a childhood memory revisited, a few unexpected discoveries, magnificent architecture, and some excellent meals.
Not a bad little adventure.
Next up, Romania, where we're hoping to find an underground Ferris wheel.
Because apparently, regular sightseeing just isn't enough anymore. :)
