Day 4 - Itali-Austrian Roadtrip

We sadly had to say goodbye to Venice and head north on our journey to Vienna, Austria. We crossed the border shortly after our morning tea break. It was so quick that I didn't have time to get the camera out for a picture! There were no checks at all!

Around this area were gorgeous mountains that about 3 of us appreciated while the others slept off their hangovers from the masquerade ball the night before.

The scenery soon flattened out and we could have easily have been driving through the north island of NZ! When we stopped for lunch I was feeling pretty sick so looked for some ginger beer. Instead I found marijuana tea! I thought I had better not risk making myself sicker, so have saved it for another day...

When we arrived in Vienna (or Wien, Oostreich as the locals call it) we had to have a 45 minute break because our bus driver had been driving too long (EU driving regulations) so we were dropped off at Schonbrunn palace to look around. It was beautiful and we knew we would have to return to have another look! While we were there we tried apple strudel. It was interesting but not fantastic.

After the rest we had a bus tour around all the sights of Vienna. What a beautiful city!

Dinner was not until 7.30 so we had some free time to look around the street we were staying on -Mariahilferstrasse. Then we had traditional sauerkraut, noodle soup and schnitzel for dinner. The schnitzel was delicious, not the waste meat we use at home. Sauerkraut was just soggy lettuce.

After dinner we visited an amusement park, that has been open since 1766. This would be one of the highlights so far. We went on a Ferris wheel (Reisenrad) built in 1895. The park is free for all to enjoy, you just pay for what you want to do.

After our ferris wheel ride (the girls in the picture are Mao and Lee who are on our trip) we walked around the park - so many amazing rides. Mao want to go on the 177 meter tall chair-o-plane. Stef and I had to gather all the courage we could to join her. It was totally worth it. Although it was so scary being so high hanging just by some chains, the sensation of flying and views were worth it!

We made it home around midnight to get a short rest before our next days adventure.

-Heidi