Hungary to Vienna!!

From Budapest we headed up toward Slovakia and briefly spent time exploring their capital Bratislava. As it turned out the ice hockey world championships were on in Bratislava during our stay. The vibe here created by the hockey fans (all adorned in their countries gear sporting face painted flags, wigs and crazy hats!) was terrific - hockey fever and rivalries were high pitched! If time had of permitted we would have loved to see a game. Alas it was not to be. We did however get to have a good look around and find all their wacky statues (man climbing out of a manhole, photographer, performing man holding hat/accepting applause and man leaning on a park bench) - nice change from scantly clad humans and horses that are ubiquitous in every other cities main squares/old cities.

Brad and new age statue in Bratislava

Slovakia Ice Hockey fans!!!

From Bratislava it was only a short trip to Austria and Vienna. Oh how I've missed the Euro! At last some respite from rip-off exchange and exorbitant bank fees!
Vienna and Bratislava are Europe's two closest capitals at about 50km as the bird flies.
In Vienna we did the Hasburgs residences (yes one palace for summer and one for winter) and wandered yet more old town. Sadly we missed the Vienna Boys Choir and the more sadly we missed getting tickets for the Vienna Opera who were performing Mozart's Don Giovanni. Oh well! Could have possibly got standing tickets but needed to line up for 90 minutes before it started then, if we had of got tickets, would have been standing for the 3 hours of opera! Took the topdeck optional extra of visiting the schnapps  distillery and tasting which was great. Learnt that absinth is made from distilled worm wood; the same way they make schnapps! Horrid stuff! Garrrrrr! Not meant to be a hallucinate but can if the metho fraction is not properly distilled from it! Good to know!

Brandy at the Hasburgs Winter Palace Vienna 

Schnitzel was plentiful as was their beer! Schnitzel not as impressive to look at as Mandas Fatal Hungarian one but much better to eat! Had a black beer, horrid, note to self, stick with what they do well (pilsner) and leave the dark beers until we reach Ireland! If I can wait!