Still Day 2 - Europe (Vienna, Austria)

Back to the Schonbrunn Palace.

After our tour of the Opera House, we went back to the Schonbrunn Palace (where we had our concert in the morning) for a tour. It was the home of the ruling family Hapsburg - and it certainly was gorgeous! I didn't take any photos inside the palace (non were allowed), but did get several of the 'backyard.'

Standing on the balcony at the back of the palace (above) is the view straight back. What I didn't capture, was on the right and left side, there were several pathways leading off to more sculptures and sights. In fact, at the back on the right - the last path led off to a zoo!

We did walk all the way to the back and got some close up photos of the water and sculptures there.

and when I turned around - this was the back of the palace.

The gardens were beautiful. The sculptures plentiful and amazing. We had such limited time - but as I said, there was so much I didn't see. I went back up on the balcony of the back of the palace and zoomed in on our Clarence 5 getting their photo taken by our leader Mr. S and one of the girls moms.

In the photo below - you can see the sculptures on either side of the pathways (I mentioned above) leading off the main part of the gardens -

As we left the palace, our tour guide told us we were in for a treat - as we were going out of the city and into the Vienna Hills (I believe she called the area Grinzing) for dinner.

Along the way, we stopped at a scenic overlook. It was just beautiful (in person) again the photo doesn't do the beauty justice at all - In the center (where the picnic table is knocked over - go to the right - to the darker brown post and right above it - where the city meets the trees) - you may be able to make out the Ferris Wheel from Prater Park - that was near where our hotel was.

The area of Grinzing - I have read - is now a tourist area - but was formerly a village surrounded by vineyards.

From the overlook - we went into the town and to a pub. Plates and bowls served family style of brown breads, potatoes, sauerkraut, and meats. I can't remember the last time I saw a plate piled so high with ham, chicken, and hot dogs. It was pretty crowded, so I didn't pull the camera out - wish I had - it was a sight to behold.

After we finished eating, the local musicians came out and playing the accordion and other instruments - struck up some lively tunes - and the kids were up and dancing. It was a fun night!

Heading back into Vienna we encountered our only really scary moment.

As our bus approached an intersection - a car traveling on the crossing road - failed to stop - and our bus driver slammed on the breaks and turned the wheel hard. I remember yelling as the bus skidded and swerved. We did hit the front end of the car - but had our driver not swerved - as our tour director told us (he was in the front seat and saw the whole thing as it happened) he would have surely killed the other driver. Our bus driver's 6 year old daughter was sitting on the front seat - behind him - and when we stopped - she flew down into the dashboard and the front end of the bus. Miraculously she was not injured, nor was anyone else on the bus.

So we encountered a delay - as we waited for police and rescue personnel to come and take a report and check out the sore necks and bruised knees on a few. It was a scary few moments - but we were so thankful no one was seriously hurt and we had the expertise of an experienced driver.

The next morning we were up bright and early for our drive to Salzburg. It was a long ride - but we were approaching my favorite part of the trip.