Day 12 - Bratislava to Vienna

It had rained overnight but was dry by the time we came to leave and a healthy 23 degrees. Our first stop was the UFO Tower or flying saucer as I called it yesterday. It was a 3 mile ride away. We got there as it opened at 10:00 but rather than go straight in, we spent some time taking some photos from the banks of The Danube. 

Bratislava Castle from the Danube South Bank

Looking up at the UFO

Photos taken we ventured inside. We were expecting to pay just under €20 to go up but as it was the weekend, they add on an extra €2 per person. Not a great start but we were only in Bratislava once so paid up. A lift takes you to the top, thankfully, though they tell you you can go up the stairs in the other leg if you want, all 480 of them. That's a No from us!

Met at the top by a young lady, we were directed up some steps to the observation deck, where you can get an excellent view of the city and surrounding countryside. A panaoramic picture board around the edge shows you what you are looking at, and also points out Hungary is 18km in one direction, Austria 6km in another. With only 40 miles to ride to Vienna and check-in at 15:00, we did our best to kill some time but after taking a few photos and identifying some of the landmarks, we were struggling.

Danube below, Castle in background

Grizzly decided he'd have a coffee, that was until he saw they wanted nearly €6 for one, so we just found some seats and killed some more time chatting, whilst I tried to find something along the way of interest. There wasn't really anything. Eventually, we decided just to press on. First though I went to the loo. Now that was possibly the most interesting thing, as the urinal was a steel bucket! Not just a bucket, obviously but a fashioned one, as you can see below.

Weeing whilst watching cars 85 mtrs below. Weird!

Back on the road, the plan was to find somewhere to have coffee. There wasn't anywhere, so we pressed on into Vienna and the hotel. We arrived at 12:35. We were happy to just get the bikes in the garage and wait for our room but we were lucky enough to be able to get out room straight away. I say lucky but the room is, as the hotel name suggests, budget. The toilet is in it's own little room in the corner, the sink is open to the room and the shower cubicle is next to it, with a frosted door. Hardly very private!

Whilst Grizzly freshened up, I took a walk, in search of a bar. The one I was looking for, the Austrian Pub, is located in a huge complex, comprising four huge gasometers. They call it Gasometer City. The bottom halves seem to be retail, whilst the uppers look to be flats. On the way I came across the red motorcycle below, meaning there must be someone else as slow as Grizzly in the city.

Another Shadslow, who'd have thought?

I found the pub and also found wienerschnitzel on the menu. Sorted. I've said all along, when we got to Vienna, I was having wienerschnitzel. and this was where we ate later, washing it down with some Austrian beers.

When in Vienna, Wienerschnitzel

Tomorrow we have a sightseeing day, which should be fun but now, it's time for bed.

Night, night.