One of my most interesting travels involved Graz, in Austria. I was there for a workshop for one week!
It was the first time I rode on a tram. The image that follows is normal daily fare for Europeans but it was a wonder to me. We got rid of our trams many, many moons ago and they were not seen in these parts again! The only problem for me was trying to figure out the routes and stations - different from the metro and buses!
Graz is a most charming little Austrian town, of which the Schlossberg is the highest point and most outstanding feature. In the pic I'm at the Schlossberg overlooking the town ... we walked up the steep and winding road and my companion decided to rest by reading extensively from amply information signposts. We cleverly decided to save our knees punishment by taking the convenient funicular (view from the contraption also pictured) down.
The Mur river runs through the town and there was a little restaurant and bar suspended on the river - seriously cute :-) Hopefully you can see this video. The pic does not do the water suspended restaurant justice!
Oh yes, and I travelled there and back by train through the Austrian countryside from Vienna.Seriously picturesque - I could almost hear Heidi singing since it is not that far from the Swiss Alps! I think I actually heard cattle bells clanking at certain points of the train trip! I wasn't dreaming ...
If enough Capetonians read this blog, a common discussion phrase may soon change to:"Jou ma se rivier in Graz!" They tend to be innovative down here in the South!
The people in Graz, like in the smaller rural towns in other countries are more friendly and approachable than in the Cities like Vienna. Not that the Viennese are an unfriendly bunch, on the contrary, but the townspeople are simply overflowing with neighbourliness! Most of my friends in Vienna are squash players and I was happy to share some of our local squash expertise with the Viennese!! I went to another rather posh squash club where the little modesty I had was also shared with the Viennese of all persuasions at a sauna.
Luckily for my secretive modesty, the sharing was only of the looking kind! Not much to see here! move along!! move right along!!
I can say a ton more about Graz but I promised to keep the interlude short. In mzansi, this is short, ok? I also promise to come back to chatting about my time in Austria!
For the past 2 days, I hardly slept at night - made up for it in the morning though - because I was busy with our blog ... she's a more punishing taskmaster than the good wife!! and that's something to behold!!!
Wait a wee while!
It was the first time I rode on a tram. The image that follows is normal daily fare for Europeans but it was a wonder to me. We got rid of our trams many, many moons ago and they were not seen in these parts again! The only problem for me was trying to figure out the routes and stations - different from the metro and buses!
Graz is a most charming little Austrian town, of which the Schlossberg is the highest point and most outstanding feature. In the pic I'm at the Schlossberg overlooking the town ... we walked up the steep and winding road and my companion decided to rest by reading extensively from amply information signposts. We cleverly decided to save our knees punishment by taking the convenient funicular (view from the contraption also pictured) down.
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| Companion reading detailed signpost |
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| IsurveytheTown |
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| SteepViewfromtheNiftyKneeSavingDevice |
The Mur river runs through the town and there was a little restaurant and bar suspended on the river - seriously cute :-) Hopefully you can see this video. The pic does not do the water suspended restaurant justice!
Suspended restaurant on river Mur in Graz at night
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| DrinkingontheMur or in Afrikaans:" 'n Murse dop!" |
Oh yes, and I travelled there and back by train through the Austrian countryside from Vienna.Seriously picturesque - I could almost hear Heidi singing since it is not that far from the Swiss Alps! I think I actually heard cattle bells clanking at certain points of the train trip! I wasn't dreaming ...
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| Prettyhighand mistyAustrianCountrysidefromMovingTrainWindow |
The people in Graz, like in the smaller rural towns in other countries are more friendly and approachable than in the Cities like Vienna. Not that the Viennese are an unfriendly bunch, on the contrary, but the townspeople are simply overflowing with neighbourliness! Most of my friends in Vienna are squash players and I was happy to share some of our local squash expertise with the Viennese!! I went to another rather posh squash club where the little modesty I had was also shared with the Viennese of all persuasions at a sauna.
Luckily for my secretive modesty, the sharing was only of the looking kind! Not much to see here! move along!! move right along!!
I can say a ton more about Graz but I promised to keep the interlude short. In mzansi, this is short, ok? I also promise to come back to chatting about my time in Austria!
For the past 2 days, I hardly slept at night - made up for it in the morning though - because I was busy with our blog ... she's a more punishing taskmaster than the good wife!! and that's something to behold!!!
Wait a wee while!
I want to go to Austria. Thanks for the tip on Graz. Will definitely keep it in mind. Lovely pictures.
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