In between orienteering and visiting other countries, we’ve been dipping into Vienna in bits and pieces, riding the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn, and the Strasse-Bahn (tram) all over the city.  We’ve seen an array of sights in this city of many contrasts.  But did you know that Vienna has its very own Vortex of Doom?  Just like its counterpark in Mt Waverley, except that this one actually has a vortex hovering above it!  Vienna also has its own UFO (and of course some rather famous and lovely churches).

We were on Tram 71 when we passed the Parliament building.

We were headed to Augarten to see one of Vienna’s WW2 flak towers, slowly being claimed by nature. Ted and Margi will recognise this as one of the venues for the 2023 Vienna O Challenge.

We crossed the Donaukanal to get there and back – unfortunately not all Vienna’s bridges are objects of beauty. 

Luckily our next stop was the lovely Stadtpark with its statues of famous Viennese citizens, including this golden tribute to Strauss.

Tram 71 also stops at Belvedere Palace and gardens. There are two palaces, with terraced gardens and fountains in between.  Unfortunately most of the flowers have been dug up, and the fountains are turned off to conserve water.  The various marble statues are still rather splendid.

Our final visit was to the wonderful Hundertwasser Haus, and the nearby Kunsthaus Museum.  If there was more Hundertwasser, the world would be a far better place.

And that’s it for us – all that remains is to wait for our long long flight home.  It’s over to Ilze and Pete as they ply Arctic waters in search of bears and moose, and enjoy roads far less travelled.  See you at streeto sometime!