The Ride - Day 5

The Ride - Day 5

The boat has chugged on against the current onwards and onwards towards Vienna - we arise late - down for breakfast - funny - not many people up - everyone taking the opportunity to have some extra sleep - the rhythm of the engines conducive to sleep - gradually people appear - many look stiff and sore - the basilica scaling and bike riding have combined to exact their toll on the calves of the travelers.

What are you doing today - bike tour ?- some yes - some no - concert? - more yes than no - just wandering? - lots - museum? - belvedere and Sisi sound good.

People gather in the library - wait for the daily briefing- talk - read - compare tour notes - seek Knud's counsel on Vienna - watch the passage through another lock - marvel at the passing tour boats - back to their maps and books - raise their heads - startled - what was that - just the waves from yet another river cruise boat.

Wait some more - off to the briefing - the bohemian continues to be bohemian - instructions delivered with more comedy than accuracy 

When are they going to let us off this ship and into vienna - Germans have their briefing - still the  gangplank remains closed - lunch is announced - clearly we will stay on board until all the bikes are unloaded.

Into Vienna on the tram - buy our ticket at the Tabak - no you cannot have an 8-8 ticket - this is a public holiday - ascension day - discussion about ascension day - Bernie to the rescue - explains 40 days after Easter - Christ ascends into heaven - gee - I bet your name is Bernadette therese Marie - chris  you are right on!

We noisy Australians join the tram - some looks and smiles from the locals - the  others dutifully follow Knud's yellow umbrella and alight to find the museum of choice - we continue on into the city - let's have coffee on the avenue - chose the Wein hotel - panna cotta and coffee - Pinot gricio - ah this is nice - another Pinot

We are relaxed - back on the tram - slowly back towards the boat and a rest before dinner and the concert.

Police arrive on boat - someone has has a bike accident - in emergency but OK - oh Mike you do think unkindly of people - are the bohemian comedian and the captain more worried about the schedule than the tourist? - of course not - you have to do something about those thoughts Mike.

Dinner - schnitzel - quality? - diplomatically described as theodor kormer restaurant standard - that sav blanc at least tolerable

On the bus - off to the concert hall - out of the tour bus - feel for those individual tourists that feel put upon when the masses emerge from this wheeled tourist containers and like goats follow the guide as if the guide will lead them to either nourishment or salvation - into the foyer of the concert hall - stay put while the bohemian comedian disappears to return with our tickets - into the hall.

This is impressive - imagine who has been in this hall before - feel insignificant - the hall has majesty - the concert a venue for emerging talent - great Korean? Bohan Cheo - fantastic soprano, Andrea Olah- plenty of comedy thrown in - enjoyable  - Brian describes the hairs on his neck standing on end - understand that. 

Back to the boat - drinks - boat ready to push off - people all happy with their day - Bernie keen to dance - off to bed - the final ride tomorrow - it is nearly over!