[dropcap custom_class=”whb”]Today, when we woke up it was a wet and dreary day. We got dressed and went downstairs to have a quick breakfast since it is included in the room rate. The breakfast, was assorted breads, cereals, meats and juice. But it was enough to get the day started. Jay and I decided we would do one of the Hop on Hop off bus tours today. The hotel is just a block from the tram stop, but first we had to buy tram tickets. To do that we needed to find a tobacco shop. It took us about twenty minutes walking in the rain to find the tobacco shop. Then we had to walk back to the tram stop. We asked someone waiting which direction would take us to the City Center. We got on the correct tram and 15 minutes later we were getting off at the Opera House. We were able to buy the tour bus tickets there and we got on the bus. We rode the complete circuit one time, before we decided to do any hopping off the bus. The second time around we got off the bus at the Palace. We took a tour of the state apartments. It was very interesting reading and learning about Empress Elizabeth and Emperor Franz-Josef.
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Across the road from the Palace are two museums, one is an art museum and the other is the National Museum of Natural Science. we went in the later. It was full of examples of every kind of bird, reptile and animal you can ever imagine. There was also rooms full of rocks and minerals gathered from all over the world
After touring the Palace, we got back on the bus. It was still raining and getting colder. I think the temperature was around 50 F, which when you live in Florida, that is cold. we rode the complete circuit, two or three times before we decided to get off at the Opera House. we walked around for a while and then found a restaurant to eat a late lunch/early supper. Both Jay and I had the roasted chicken. We walked around some more, so Jay could take pictures. I don’t know how they are going to turn out since it was raining. We happened upon the Hotel Sacher. When preparing for our trip, I had read up on things to do and one of the things mentioned was the world famous Sacher Torte, so I knew I had to purchase one to try. It was expensive, but hey, when in Vienna. I purchased the smallest one they had, which was like 4 inches diameter and cost 11,50 Euros. We now had dessert to take back to the hotel.
After walking around some more, we got back on the D tram and went back to our hotel. Jay wanted to explore the neighborhood around the hotel, so yes that entailed more walking in the rain and the cold. Finally, I convinced him that I am old and that the rain was affecting my arthritus and that we should go back to the hotel.
Back at the hotel, after taking pictures of the torte, it was time to eat it. I did not have a knife to cut it, so I used the only thing I could think of that would cut it — dental floss. It worked, I was able to cut it with the dental floss and Jay and I tried it. It was very sweet, but delicious (I love chocolate).
Well, that about ends our adventures for today. Tomorrow, we check out of this hotel, pick up our car and hit the road.
