austria Keyword
Liechtenstein
If I can say anything about my adventure it is that I have achieved some of my greatest dreams. I’ve seen snow in Tokyo, I’ve stood at the foot of Colusseum and I’ve touched the Berlin wall and, in the outskirts of Switzerland, I visited one of my “must see’s” : Liechtenstein.
When I mentioned my excitement in seeing this tiny 160km square patch of dirt most people responded with blank looks, others harrumphed and snickered at my enthusasim. I don’t pretend to think that these people will understand. See, for me, Liechtenstein has risen to some kind of shining light in my own sphere of personal “pop-culture” references. I don’t expect people to understand the giggles that boil from deep with-in me when ever I mention that I have stood on the streets of Liechtenstein. I just wish I had bought a lighter in this wonderful little tax haven.
For those who want a little more out this blog post than just some burble about in-jokes heres some facts. Liechtenstein is the Fourth Smallest democratic country in Europe, with a population of around 35,000 people. Being the crazy awesome tax haven it is, Liechtenstein has more registered companies than citizens. Formed in 1719 Liechtenstein gets it’s name from the Liechtenstein Dynasty who hailed from Liechtenstein Castle in Southern Austria. It’s topography makes it a great location for winter sports and is home to some of the worlds Top downhill skiers. One of Liechtenstein’s biggest exports is false teeth!
As Liechtenstein was just a stop over, we only stayed in this fantastic place for but moments, but I did get my passport stamped, just for good measure. It takes pride of place on page 8 of my official documentation. I’ll have to come back again to explore more of the country side and sample some of what I am sure to be crazy awesome Liechtenstein nightlife.
Grape Grazing
For a poor backpacker 50 euro seems a stretch. It can cover 25 cheap beers or five cooked dinners or even three nights at a dodgy hostel. So when busabout suggested the Vienna Grape Grazing tour at the princely sum of 50 euro it is no surprise that people were slow to pull out their moth eaten wallets.
How misplaced our apprehensions were. So far misplaced that they may as well have been left in the Czech Republic. From the moment the 25 or so backpackers stepped onto the train that beautiful morning all doubts of our decision were cast joyously to the wind.
The first leg took us to Melk, about an hour by Austria’s beautiful trains from Vienna where we walked through the town to meet our first activity a ferry ride down the Danube. The group enjoyed a couple of wine tastings down sitting by the stack of the boat while we watched the scenery glide by. Our first winery was practically at the jetty we pulled up to, where a little old lady served us generous glasses of four wines. With smiles and a glow in our cheeks we picked up bikes and made for our next stop. We rode through the winding streets along the Danube, through orchards and vineyards, the sun on our backs lifting our spirits.
Stopping for lunch we stepped onto a little terrace and sitting down under olive trees we all looked out over the small towns that spread before us. It is hard to describe just how wonderful a sight it was. After a massive lunch and more than a few more wines we jumped onto our bikes and headed for the Danube for a swim. The icy glacial waters proved a little too adventurous for some, myself included. I wasn’t willing to risk the chaffing.
Continuing down the river we reached the location of King Richard the Lion Hearts imprisonment for 10months by the Austrians. Perched at the top of the hill the ruins of the small fort he called home look out over the vistas that stretch seemingly endlessly in every direction. It was hard to imagine it being much of a horrible time for old Richard.
A short ride later, tired and happy we stepped onto our train home where we finished off a few more bottles for good measure then adjourned to the travel shack to share our experiences with the load of busabouters that just arrived. All in all it was one of the best days of my adventure so far, and by far worthy of my hard earned cash.
The Wedding Cake
The Lonely Planet describes Vienna as a wedding cake and after the three days I spent there I think its’ a fairly apt description. It is a city with no soul. Don’t get me wrong; Vienna is beautiful. I loved my time there. I spent my days wandering the city and checking out the palace gardens under the warming glow of a sun I haven’t seen for nearly 4 months. The City oozes class but everything seems for show. A city built for show. It is only when you leave the city that the real fun starts.
If you’re looking for good schnitzel and don’t mind waiting a little while check out Mozarts around the corner from the Wombats hostel and for Aussies missing a taste of home just down the road is the Travel Shack, a grouse little Australiana bar with cheap drinks, bundy and vegemite.
When traveling though Austria though remember: you need to buy half a fare for your dog on the train.
… And we’re back
So, as usually happens with these things, ol’ murphy came into play when I took my laptop to get repaired in Rome. Walking into the Apple repair centre, I placed my crapbook on the bench, described the problem, turned it on and lo and behold, the fans start spinning and everything is hunky dory.
Shit for me, as I have had no laptop for around 10 days, but great for you readers. Over the course of the next few days you should get around 11 updates. Hold onto your hats guys, you’re in for a treat. Vienna, Munich, Venice and more are waiting to get their odyssey treatment. Over 700 photos are itching to emerge into the world like over cooked infants scratching at the walls of their flash card uterus.
Keep an eye out for jumping shots, something that has become a bit of a theme for me through Europe. Just to start us off, here’s me rocking St. Johann in Austria. The alpine air has proven a boon to my vertical leap.