To our relief it rained, and a refreshing wind blew the heat away. After being unceremoniously dumped by the bus driver, we decided to go for a ride on the UBahn instead.  The U1 line has several stations on the islands, and crosses some of the Danube bridges; you can see quite a lot without needing to leave the stations.  What we saw were fascinating and hugely varied Viennese vignettes of life on the Danube.

Vienna International City, or VIC, houses the United Nations, along with several very tall, shiny glass buildings. From what we could see, it is prime Sprint terrain. We spotted the Aussie flag.  At the next station, Alte Donau, a very different world appears.  This is the wilder Danube, full of tiny wooden holiday shacks, pontoons and small boats are nestled amongst the reeds. It looks like a way of life that hasn’t changed much in decades, yet sits only a few hundred metres away from the centre of high finance and politics.

Amazing view of Danube life from a station platform

Summer on the Danube

Alte Donau

Newer Donau

Aussie Aussie Aussie

The station at Donau Insel is perched high on a bridge. We stepped off the platform straight onto a pedestrian and bike path. Wending our way down a ramp, we strolled along the riverside, to another bridge which sits at water level.  We passed Copa Beach with its optimistic deck chairs and sand, crossed the river again, and strolled past the Sunken City, a business venture which clearly lacked foresight. It was an underwater restaurant – great idea if you have clear blue water and marine life to look at, but who wants to eat dinner submerged in the murky depths of the Danube? Obviously no-one, as it looks a little derelict. There were plenty of other cafes doing good business, their appeal being views above the water.

Deckchairs anyone?

Pedestrian bridge

Boy on a bridge

Another amazing view from the station platform

After a very long day, it was home sweet home for a late dinner concocted from the supermarket, and a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s journey by train to Salzburg and Bad Ischl.