Vienna by Boat and Bus

It was raining . It was chilly , the weather not at all favourable for a walking exporation expedition, therefore we opted for a popular Vienna by Boat and Bus Tour. The boat sails down the Danube , and later enters the Danube Canal. The Danube is the 2nd longest river  in Europe at 2480 KMs. In the late 19th century a canal was dug for transportation and water supply and Vienna expanded on the sides of the canal. There is a height difference of 12 ft between the Danube and its canal and as result there is lock system which the boat enters and the water is pumped out to reduce its height by 12ft, and then the boat enters the canal.  The process takes about 20 minutes and by studying it one could imagine what happens at the Panama and Suez Canals where about a dozen locks have to be negotiated.

Boat On The Danube

We boarded the Boat and settled down for the ride.

Admiral Tegetthoff On The Danube,Vienna

The orders for the coffee and the snacks placed the boat was moving down the Danube with a running commentary in German,with which we were now becoming familiar. 
The Refuse incinerator was pointed out with the comment that it was the most good looking refuse incinerator in the world. Because of the clouds the photographs did not come out clearly and a printed copy of a picture of the Most Beautiful Refuse Incinerator has  been inserted here.

Vienna Refuse Incinerator.

 The boat stopped at the lock for 20 mins and then entered the Danube Canal and finally stopping at the City Centre where a Bus was waiting to complete the tour . Since the weather was bad we could see the sights of Vienna only from inside the bus. The bus took us around the city and up into the surrounding mountains so that we could see and admire Vienna from the mountain top. But it was not to be. Clouds obscured any view of Vienna from the mountain top.


Three famous Musicians lived and performed  in Vienna at the famous Opera House and this made Vienna the Music Capital of the world. Mozart, Strauss and Beethoven.

The Mozart Memorial

Strauss Memorial

Beethoven Memorial    

                                                

Opera House, Vienna

Albert Einstein also lived in Vienna for some time  before emigrating to the US in 1933.


I once read a very interesting story about Einstein in a Reader's Digest issue. A lady had invited a number of guests to meet Albert Einstein at her house. When everybody had arrived music composed by Mozart and Strauss was being played. Einstein asked one of the guests how he felt about the particular composition that was being played. The guest replied that he did not have an ear for music. Einstein took the guest up to a separate room and for the next 2 hours explained the basics of music leading up to the complex compositions of Mozart and Strauss and Beethoven . After 2 hours both came down ,the hostess  not  at all happy at Mr Einstein being monopolised by only one guest for 2 hours , but that guests life had changed. Not only ears but he had a life for music which he could REALLY appreciate. The story was in 1st Person narrated by the guest himself . Before the evening ended the charming hostess asked Mr. Einstein"If you were not a mathematician what would you havebeen?" The reply" Music Composer".

 Inside the Opera House

                            


                                     Video Of Opera House

                                     Vienna By Boat
Some photographs have been taken from a book which we purchased on the Bus. "VIENNA Sightseeing in 123 Colour Photographs"

Salzburg -The City

Salzburg; meaning  "Salt Castle" is the second most important city of Austria and derived its name from the Salt laden boats  which were carrying salt from the salt mines down the Salzach river. "Old Town" (Altstadt) has internationally renowned baroque architecture    and one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is noted for its Alpine  setting. Salzburg was the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the mid-20th century, the city was the setting for parts of the American musical and film The Sound of Music. It is also the birth place of Doppler ,the famous scientist who  we all know for   the Doppler Effect studied in Class VIII by all of us .



The Train  to Salzburg. We got a discount  on our Gastein  Tourist Card . The journey took  an hour and we landed in  Salzburg. The train was going up to Munich. Salzburg Railway Station had an old time feel  but was undergoing modernization. Salzburg was connected to the international railway only in 2004. Breakfast at Burger King just outside the station, included a purple colored blueberry flavored hot tea which was heartily enjoyed by my wife.



On the right  is  Maria church, the starting point for city tours. There is a big market in front of the church every Thursday which is a 400 years old tradition. The guide while passing by the Main Prison informed us that it was the cheapest accomodation in Salzburg and you really don't have to do much to get in there.

The house where WA Mozart was born. At the age of 4 he was performing in Empress Maria Theresa court and under her patronage the prodigy Wolfgang became the acclaimed  WA Mozart on whose name we get Chocolate Balls in duty free shops and the Salzburg Airport is named after him. Later  he shifted to Vienna and performed/composed  there till his death from Asthma at age 57.


The house in Salzburg where William Doppler was born.It is almost adjoining the house of WA Mozart. Doppler effect can be felt when the pitch increases/reduces when sound source like Car/Engine is approaching or receding.Doppler effect is also used to measure speeds of stars and galalxies through red/blue shift.

Hotel Salzburger on the bank of the Salza river. We were surprised to see the Indian Flag flying atop the Hotel. Later on we came to know that the Indian President was visiting Salzburg and could havebeen staying/visiting the Salzburger.

The Salzach River with the twin towers on either side.On one side is the old city with the Church and the Fort. The river front here is filled with tourists from all parts of the world and you can get a glimpse of various cultures ,African, Middle East, Pakistan and India, the Japanese groups in a straight line behind the tour guide ,you name it ,you can see it.