MAY 2014 : EASTERN EUROPE : Vienna

Three days in Vienna

                       

A 5 hour train trip from Prague and we arrived in Vienna on a rainy, cold afternoon. We were rescued by a friendly taxi driver, who drove us out to our suburban B&B. As luck would have it, we had purchased an unlimited transport card at the station, which was a godsend for our time there.

Parliament Building

Hapsburg Palace

The.     

                               

The opulence of the table settings of the Hapsburgs in the Sisi Palace, Vienna.

 

Stalls selling local produce in the main square

Vienna held high expectations with his rich and extravagant history. Initially, it was difficult to get an idea of the layout but we did a hop on hop off bus tour and a free walking tour which was perfect for getting our bearings and making inroads into the delights of the city. We were sold seniors' tickets automatically - it's official - grey hair rules!

Hayden's home

Beautiful garden and courtyard of Hayden's home

One of the practice organs in a chapel situated in the Organ and Sacred Music Department of Vienna University 

Opera House tour. A different production every niight

Our nephew, David, is studying organ and sacred music at Vienna University, so we enjoyed a day visiting Hayden's home, an Opera House tour (different production every night for 10 months a year), his practice rooms at the university with the variety of pipe organs,delicious Italian lunch and an organ recital at St Michael's church.

Cafés with lovely ambience...

We were saturated with Austrian art at the Belevedere Palace, the Albertini museum and relished the contrast of the Hundertwasser Haus and housing complex. Hundertwasser, died in 2000, and was a colourful and unorthodox designer, similar ( but not as prolific ) as Barcelona's Gaudi.

Belevedere Palace with fabulous art collection

Direr exhibition at the Albertina Palace

Hundertwasser Haus

Organic and vegetarian restaurant at Hundertwasser Haus

Hundertwasser Community Housing Complex

Our B&BS in suburban Vienna - bus, train and metro into hype city - seamless process with a bit of practice

Again, we felt Vienna had a lot to offer. We probably only scratched the surface but we succeeded in experiencing something of the history, architecture, music and culture of the city.

M&M

30/5/2014

MAY 2014 : EASTERN EUROPE : Prague

                            

A new adventure : Eastern Europe 

Three days in Prague.

Bit of a culture shock arriving in gentrified Prague after trekking in Nepal but it didn't take long to be under its spell. Prague has always held an interest and we were delighted that we could slot it into our itinerary. It's charm though was not just in its architecture, churches etc but in the people, particularly the young guides, who led the'free' walking tours. They gave a very candid view of Czech history, it's place in the world and of its culture. Basically, over the centuries Prague has been a toy of surrounding nations - Germany, Russia and even Sweden. It has swayed between occupation, Communist ideals, independent republic status. They have been very passive, believing that eventually the occupying nation will move on. They even waited out the 600 years of Hapsburg rule. Now the Czech Republic is independent again and rewriting its second constitution.

Guides await walking patrons. Payment by tip. Our 2 guides, Martin and Chritian, were exceptional.

                                Walking tour around the castle precinct. Another Hapsburg Palace.

We  loved comments on the tours like "this museum (gem and mineral museum, housed in elegant Romanesqe building) has been voted the most boring museum in Europe" or the hourly clock chiming ( in the Old Square with its moving characters) is the second most disappointing tourist attraction after the Mona Lisa. 

                                      

Interesting point about the clock tower. It was especially crafted and prized by the people of Prague but to ensure that the inventor did not reproduce another elsewhere and lessen the value of his Prague creation, they gouged his eyes out. Oh, the price for brilliance.

                                   

The mummified thief's hand. A warning to all would-be robbers.

Prague, although the home of many beautiful churches, is basically an atheist centre due to the years of communist rule. The churches and cathedrals, in immaculate condition, are maintained by their function as concert venues. In St Nichols church there is a reminder to all would-be thieves - a mummified hand hanging near the front door. Legend has it that a robber entered the church to steal jewellery bestowed on a statue of the Virgin Mary but his hand became wedged and the only way to free it was to cut it off.

Kutna Hora

Bone Church

Kutna Hora

We had a day at the old silver and lead-mining village of Kutna Hora. It is famous for it's 'bone church'. A gruesome chapel decorated with bones, excavated from the cemetery when the church was extended. A sleepy town now but it was once noted for the stamping of coins and a wealthy Itlalian community,

Budget B&B. close to the Metro.

We were pleased with our B&B, although not in a solubrious area, it was a few minutes to the metro and had a few great restaurants for evening meals. Otherwise we found some lovely places by the river .

Local musicians

and storytellers

Busy tourist Charles Bridge

Interesting public art

Prague ticked all the boxes - particularly with sunny weather - but surprised us as well.

M&M

27/5/14

MAY 2014 : NEPAL : Kathmandu

MAY 2014 : NEPAL : Kathmandu

 Satish organised a local guide, Sake, to take us out for 2 days sightseeing.

Bhaktapur - origins to 8th century - once capital of NEPAL. Palaces, large Buddhist and Hindu shrines.

Intricately carved windows and doors and hand baked bricks and distinctive tiled roofs.

One of the ancient kingdoms of NEPAL.

Living heritage town. 1000 residents - mainly poor peasants living on tourist trade and simple farming

Rural and commercial. Mainly wheat.

      

   Main square with traditional brick buildings with ornate wooden roofs, doors and window frames

Ancient baths. Water is now brought in as all the water is by-passed from the city.

Boudhanath (Lord of Wisdom) stupa

Built in 16 the century. Important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. In the Tibetan quarter of Kathmandu Valley

43 metres high. Forms centre of a commercial square. Pilgrims and tourists promenade around the white-washed stupa. Prayer wheels are inset around the base, which pilgrims turn and chant.

A Buddhist centre in the square

                                   

The intricate art of Thanka painting

Swayambhu Mahachaitya  Buddhist Stupa - Monkey Temple

Ancient stupa, restored last century, hIgh on a hill in Kathmandu Valley. 365 steps lead to the top. Seated Buddhas at various stages up the hill leading to stupa complex with much activity - religious and commercial. Monkeys play throughout the complex and are fed by pilgrims as they ascend.

      

       

Durbar Square

Royal palace until 1970s

Living Goddess. Kumari. Young girl selected to live in Kathmandu and be at the beck and call of tourists and pilgrims to give daily audiences from a window. Child Selection a bit like the Dalai Lama but she fulfils the role only until puberty, then is guaranteed a private school eduction, funded by donations when in residence.

Area around the palace is commercial and religious. Intricately carved buildings in black wood and handmade bricks.

                                           

                                          

The present Kumari.

A meal at Satish's home

A delicious meal with Satish, his family and some of the staff at Satish's home.

                            

Rum Doodle

Masala Dosas

M&M

22/5/2014