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Happy New Year

2012-01-02T21:03:00.000+01:00

A Christmas Festivity

2011-12-19T11:49:00.001+01:00

Skiing 2011/12 • day 1-5 • Kitzsteinhorn

2011-12-07T15:19:00.005+01:00

Starting the new skiing season at Zell am See/Kaprun ...

... as usual with exquisite soups! :-)

At Krampus Day a short shopping trip to Kitzbuehel – that brought me a wonderful new ski jacket!

Again fun at the mountain ...

A goose ...

2011-11-14T16:25:00.003+01:00

... for Martini

A wedding in Bavaria

2011-09-14T22:29:00.003+02:00

delicacies at Heldenplatz

2011-08-31T21:58:00.002+02:00

The nice Waldviertel-Fest took place the last three days at Heldenplatz. We went there to meet friends as well as having delicious food and beers. What a nice goodbye to August!

summer theatre at Berndorf

2011-08-26T21:45:00.001+02:00

Niavarani was funny. :-)

Washington State: Seattle

2011-08-23T00:44:00.002+02:00

After another day on sea we had to say goodbye to our cruise ship and checked in at Seattle's Sheraton Hotel. In Seattle we did the classic sightseeing: Pike Street Market, Monorail and Space Needle. We also did the 'Ride the Ducks'-tour. Very funny. On our last evening in the United States we had delicious dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. At the airport we had a last scenic view on Mount Rainier. That was one of the greatest vacations I ever did.

Prince Rupert, Canada

2011-08-21T00:43:00.001+02:00

Prince Rupert, Canada, was our next harbour. As the day before, when entering Canada the sun started to shine :-) . We had booked a boat trip for whale watching and ancient light houses. The search for the whales took some time but then we found one that was doing eskimo roll all the time (for us). Being in a delay we only visited one of the ancient light houses.

Skagway, Alaska & Yukon Territory, Canada

2011-08-20T00:42:00.002+02:00

Our northmost harbour was Skagway. Skagway is a little (approx. 736 inhabitants) but scenic (never burnt down) town. Sabine had the 'best breakfast bagel ever' early in the morning. Now it was time to enter Canada. When entering Canada the sun started to shine and our excursion to Yukon Territory was really gorgeous. We had a delay when going down the White Pass with the railway but the cruise ship waited for us.

Juneau, Alaska

2011-08-19T00:41:00.001+02:00

Today we arrived at Juneau. It is the capital city of Alaska and therefore another state capitol was on our schedule. In the morning a coach brought us to the Mendenhall Glacier where we also saw black bears eating salmons. It was heavy raining that day. Feeling cold we bought some tea with rum at a local pub. We enjoyed getting off our wet clothes in the early afternoon. The cruise ship brought us into a fjord where we came close to the Sawyer Glacier. We watched that from the beer garden ;-) .

Ketchikan, Alaska

2011-08-18T00:40:00.001+02:00

Ketchikan was our first stop in Alaska. After a day on sea (Inside Passage) we arrived there early in the morning. The first thing we did was a flight to the Misty Fjords with an old de Havilland Otter we had booked in advance. Next we visited the scenic Creek Street. Very nice that rainy capital of the world. ;-)

Cruise: embarkment

2011-08-15T00:39:00.002+02:00

Time for the cruise. We embarked on NCL's Norwegian Star in the early afternoon and enjoyed the farewell party at the 'Biergarten'.

Washington State: on the road

2011-08-14T00:36:00.002+02:00

On our way to Seattle we did a 'shortcut' into the eastern and more arid part of Washington State. Very interesting but 'evergreen'? When heading west again we visited the Snoqualmie Falls (you might know them from TV drama Twin Peaks) and rushed into Seattle Friday afternoon rush hour. We visited the campus of the University of Washington and then it was time to say goodbye to our brave Ford Taurus. The light train brought us to downtown Seattle and we checked in at Warwick Hotel.

Mt. Rainier N.P.

2011-08-13T00:35:00.001+02:00

We spent the next two nights at beautiful Alta Crystal Resort at Mount Rainier – the next cool mountain. We did a lot of trails in Mount Rainier N.P. We went up to Paradise and Sunrise and were a little bit surprised about the huge lots of snow up there in August. In the evening a meet-and-greet barbecue took place at our resort. Very nice.

Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

2011-08-12T00:33:00.004+02:00

The next day the next mountain. We had excellent weather conditions for our scenic trip to Mount Saint Helens National Vulcanic Monument. We got lost in the Ape Caves for 90 minutes but this mountain is a special mountain. When it erupted in 1980 it destroyed a large area on its northern side. It lost also 401 metres (1316 feet) in height. You can see a lot of dead trees alongside the streets and the lake is also covered with them. Nevertheless the green is celebrating a successful comeback. I enjoyed that mountain.

Portland, Oregon

2011-08-11T00:31:00.001+02:00

After our trip to Mount Hood we did some sightseeing in Portland. It's a very nice city with countless house breweries and excellent dishes. The next morning we visited the rose garden and the japanese garden. Unfortunately we couldn't see Mount Hood from Portland due to a cloudy sky.

Columbia River Gorge & Mt. Hood

2011-08-10T00:30:00.001+02:00

We left Portland early in the morning and took the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Byway direction east. The gorge is really impressive and on the Oregon side are a lot of waterfalls. We swiched between Washington State and Oregon on toll bridges ($1 for crossing). It was a very windy day and countless sailboarders and kiteboarders were doing their hobby on the Columbia river. We stopped to watch them and there we saw Mount Hood for the first time. Cool Mountain! The road to Timberline Lodge brought us up the mountain. Even the skiing area was open. So we – as we Austrians do – had a delicious soup at the ski hut (the lodge).

Pacific coast

2011-08-09T00:28:00.001+02:00

We spent the night at a small Inn at Pacific Beach. There we had the chance of taking pictures with a real Academy Award (!). Today was a coast day. We crossed the Columbia River and entered Oregon around midday. Our first stop in Oregon was Cannon Beach. This little town – also a colony of artists – is recognized by its well-known landmark called Haystack Rock. The igneous rock has an elevation of 235 feet and is often accessible at low tide. Through beautiful landscape we drove to Portland.

Washington State: Olympia & Olympic N.P.

2011-08-08T00:27:00.002+02:00

After arriving at Seattle-Tacoma airport we received our rental car from Thrifty. A wonderful metallic blue Ford Taurus. We started our road trip in Olympia. That's the state capital of Washington State therefore we visited the state capitol. After buying two road maps (thumbs up) we headed forward to Port Angeles located at the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We spent the night at wonderful Inn at Rooster Hill. The next day we weren't allowed to ascend the road to Hurrican Ridge at Olympic N.P. (due to a bicycle race). What a pity! We drove along the lakes through the national park and visited the Hoh Rain Forest. At the coast we saw our first rocky needles.

Greenland by air

2011-08-07T00:22:00.005+02:00

I've never been to the states before but there is a first time for everything. After booking a flight to Seattle (WA) and a cruise to Alaska we made a concept for a road trip through Washington State and northern Oregon. In other words: We went on holiday. The first highlight was the flight over Greenland. We had clear weather and therefore we took great pictures out of the airplane window.

wine – especially the red ones

2011-07-31T16:52:00.003+02:00

Last weekend we went to wine country south Burgenland where we had haute cuisine as well as excellent wines – especially the red ones.

Hmmmm, Leberkaes'

2011-07-26T09:22:00.003+02:00

Introducing myself into the world of 'Leberkaes'!

The Gypsy Baron

2011-07-24T18:06:00.002+02:00

Time for summer open air festivals! We went to the lake stage in Moerbisch to see the 'Gypsy Baron'. That's an operetta in three acts by Johann Strauss II. It's a colourful story of the marriage of a landowner and a gypsy girl who is revealed as the daughter of a Turkish Pasha. It involves a fortune-telling Romany Queen, an absurdly self-important Mayor, a rascally Commissioner, a Military Governor, a band of Gypsies and a troop of Hussars (thanks to Wikipedia :-) ). It was a pleasure!

Austrian beer culture

2011-07-14T19:23:00.001+02:00

Look what I found at the supermarket! ;-)

team building work-shop at Krumbach castle

2011-06-20T17:04:00.001+02:00

The firm went to the forest! Friday afternoon we took a bus to castle Krumbach – a hotel and seminar facility about an hour south of Vienna. We spent most of the time in wood doing team-building games. Action! After a short night and two more games we returned to Vienna on Saturday afternoon.

"management by horse-sense"

2011-05-21T08:15:00.001+02:00

Sometimes your employer offers you advanced training courses. This time I spent two days with horses. It was a management seminar introducing horses and their reactions to different stimulations. Horsy!

having a picnic

2011-05-16T17:00:00.001+02:00

Years ago Sabine got a voucher for a picnic for her birthday. This year we made it. Sunday morning we went to 'hillside' Vienna to the Villa Aurora. Our picnic basket was stuffed with delicacies like champagne, strawberries, butter, smoked salmon and salad. We went 200 metres, placed the planket on the grass and had a great breakfast enjoying the May sun as well as the view over Vienna.

A new age starts

2011-05-14T00:29:00.002+02:00

Sometimes things have to grew a little bit! ;-)

Business trip to Cologne

2011-04-21T00:08:00.003+02:00

My employer sent me to Cologne for education. The course was completed around 4 pm but my return flight was around 8 pm. So I decided to go to the cathedral and with delay (thanks to the light rail traffic) I arrived there. After visiting this really big church I placed myself in the beer garden of one of the local breweries and enjoyed the spring sun as well as some good Koelsch beers.

Culinary event at the girl's birthday

2011-04-10T23:06:00.004+02:00

Around Sabine's birthday we went to Burgenland. We spent a night at a five star hotel and restaurant called "Ratsch'n". If angels travel the sun is shining. Spring time at its best. We enjoyed the seven course dinner that was an invitation from Sabine's employer.

On Sunday we promenaded in Rust at Lake Neusiedl and in the afternoon we went back to Vienna.

Styria @ Rathausplatz

2011-04-08T23:02:00.003+02:00

Visiting the green heart of Austria! Styrian days took place at the Rathausplatz!

Hej Stockholm!

2011-04-03T23:10:00.005+02:00

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. That trip to Stockholm was my birthday present. We left Vienna on Friday morning and from the Stockholm airport we went to the city by train. We decided to walk from the central station to our hotel and that was already sightseeing. We had a coffee at one of the big market halls and checked in our hotel around midday.

In the afternoon we visited the Nationalmuseum, promenaded on Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen islands an took the ferry to the Vasa Museum. I've been to Stockholm 1989 but one thing I remember well is this impressive ship. The museum displays the only almost fully intact 17th century ship that has ever been salvaged. If you are at Stockholm, you shold visit that.

The next day we spent at picturesque Gamla stan (the old town). We saw the royal castle, the Storkyrkan (the cathedral) as well as the two main streets Österlånggatan und Västerlånggatan. In the evening we had excellent swedish cuisine for dinner. Later that night we went to Stockholm's number one hotel (the Grand Hôtel) for a drink.

On the last day of our short trip we booked a boat trip to the skerry area. Very impressive but also a little bit cold. A walk to the central station :-) marked the endpoint of a beautiful vacation at the so-called 'Venice-of-the-nort'.

one weekend – two birthday parties

2011-03-22T16:10:00.003+01:00

What a weekend! First we attended a birthday party on Friday that lasted until 3 am and on Saturday we took a morning train to Munich to celebrate the 30th birtday of Sabine's Bavarian friend. In combination with the St. Patrick's day celebration on Thursday one can say: 'It's been a exhausting weekend!' ;-)

The flow of the green beers

2011-03-18T15:32:00.003+01:00

Saint Patrick's day is always worth a celebration! This year we headed to Billy's Bones Irish Pub for a couple of green beers. Nice!

Skiing 2010/11 – day 7 – Stuhleck

2011-03-13T15:08:00.003+01:00

Another skiing day! And what a great weather. Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine! Unfortunately my girlfriend was ill that day but she promised me to have a great day. And we had all ingredients: excellent trail conditions, excellent weather and cool people! Bye, bye skiing season 2010/2011!

Bingo TV Show – once again

2011-03-07T12:34:00.003+01:00

Woohoo! Going to TV. Sabines mum, Sabine and I attended the Bingo show last saturday. Sabine was drawn for the green group (mine was red). The greens had to enter the stage in the last round and Sabine shortly missed a big win.

New skis for the girl ☺

2011-01-19T19:59:00.003+01:00

Super speedy skis for my speedy girl. And they are beautiful, arn't they?

Skiing 2010/2011 - day 6 - Going/Kitzbuehel

2011-01-05T23:58:00.001+01:00

One last excellent and sunny skiing forenoon. We've been on the mountain till 1 pm and then we went to our hotel to prepare for having a night (and an afternoon) out. We dressed up to the nines to stroll around the cute and glamorous town of Kitzbuehel. Visiting different taverns (as well as a 'midnight sausage') we concluded our cool vacation in cozy atmosphere.

Skiing 2010/2011 - day 5 - Hahnenkamm/Jochberg

2011-01-04T22:16:00.003+01:00

A day a motto: Rushing through the skiing area! We went to Kitzbuehel to ski the Hahnenkamm side. Different to other skiing areas in Austria parking in Kitzbuehel is not for free! We also had a problem to get skis for Sabine. The Russians took them all. Nevertheless we solved the problem and the sun was our companion on the mountain. We wanted to try the new 3S gondola that connects the Kitzbuehel skiing area with the Jochberg skiing area. We enjoyed skiing there but we had a problem on our way back. They have kind of a bottleneck where one T-bar tow has to serve all skiers who want back. At least we had to wait for nearly three-quarters of an hour. We had to hurry now. Luckily we catched every ski-lift at the eleventh hour. Back on top of Kitzbuehel we didn't ski down the Streif trail. It was getting dark to quick. Whew! We needn't take a ski bus service back to our car.

night toboggan run

2011-01-03T23:59:00.004+01:00

As our hotel is located next to the chairlift that gave us the opportunity of doing a night toboggan run. We had to wrap up warm (or we'll catch a cold). First we had dinner at the Brenneralm and than – hurray – we rushed down the hill. What a fun! :-)

Skiing 2010/2011 - day 4 - Scheffau

2011-01-03T17:27:00.003+01:00

The sun is back! We started again at the Hartkaiserbahn and skied to Scheffau. Great day in the great outdoors!

Skiing 2010/2011 - day 3 - Ellmau

2011-01-02T23:11:00.002+01:00

The second day of the new year was an après ski day! In the morning we went to Ellmau and we took the Hartkaiserbahn up the mountain. The weather conditions weren't good and therefore after one hour we rested for a soup. No sunshine after the soup :-( We headed forward to the Ruebezahl-Alm and tried their fine mulled wine. After a longer stay we went down the mountain and enjoyed the après ski igloo at the valley station.

Skiing 2010/2011 - day 2 - Going

2011-01-01T16:59:00.002+01:00

Happy New Year!

We didn't catch the morning. We went up the mountain around midday. As the local chairlift crosses our hotel it was easy to put the skis on (even after new years evening). We had an excellent lunch at the Brenneralm.

Another wonderful sunny skiing day!

Skiing 2010/2011 - day 1 - Kitzbueheler Horn

2010-12-31T18:25:00.004+01:00

We started the skiing season at Kitzbuehler Horn. We decided for the smaller of the Kitzbuehel skiing areas because of the sunny afternoon slopes. The weather conditions were really great but it was a little bit cold.

We wish you a happy new years eve!

Another Christmas Party

2010-12-21T23:50:00.002+01:00

A lot of christmas parties take place in december. This pic is from the fraternity's party in downtown Vienna.

The firm celebrates Christmas

2010-12-20T13:21:00.001+01:00

Every year the bells jingle at the Racino where the firm celebrates Christmas. This year the showact was kind of a Pop Idol show. Five finalists from all over the concern conquered for a trip to NYC. I was a little bit sceptic but it made fun and the atmosphere was excellent.

Mulled Wine at Belvedere Castle

2010-12-15T13:19:00.001+01:00

It is a tradition to meet with Doris and KW before Christmas at a christmas market in Vienna. So was this year. We met at the christmas market in front of Belvedere castle. The mulled wine was very good but the children's choir provided some headache.

1st glogg of the season

2010-11-19T14:16:00.001+01:00

After an exam Sabine and I headed forward for the first glogg of the season at the christmas market at the old AKH. Mmmmh, mulled wine.

Pirates of Halloween Party

2010-11-03T13:34:00.001+01:00

If not in carnival let's dress up for Halloween. I didn't win the Jack Sparrow look-alike contest but I had painted finger nails. :-)

Cabaret

2010-10-27T15:05:00.003+02:00

We got free tickets for the cabaret that takes place in the tent next to our apartment. We got them from the socialist party (maybe they want a vote in the next election). It was funny but it was about the 70ies. I feel a bit to young for the seventies. ;-)

Oompah!

2010-09-30T15:28:00.003+02:00

This year it was time for the Oktoberfest at Munich. I haven't been there before. As Sabine has a friend who lives in Munich we had free lodging. We went there from Thursday to Tuesday.

The first days we did some sighseeing as well as shopping. Munich is really beautiful. On Monday we've been to the Oktoberfest. Sabine's friend checked a box in a tent. You have to buy a lot of vouchers to get a place in a box. Therefore we started with a Bavarian 'Brotzeit' and during the evening I had to drink 6 jugs of beer (because of the vouchers :-) ). Luckily the tents had to close at 11 pm and after a ride with a rollercoaster it was time to go to bed (because of the beers).

The Oktoberfest is really funny but not every year.

circus, circus

2010-09-13T12:15:00.003+02:00

My firm offered a tent show for free. They call it family day.

The big top was set at the premises and in-house catering was offered at an extra tent. Three shows were offered on Friday and Saturday. Therefore I catched Sabine and we spent the afternoon with clowns, artists and delicious food.

We did not visit the petting zoo (we felt a little bit to old). It was a nice show but not worldshaking.

potato festival

2010-09-06T12:01:00.003+02:00

Is it worth to do a trip to the potatoe festival at Stockerau? It definitely is. We headed there by train and the weather conditions weren't that bad. At the pavilion we met with Doris and KW but not for long, as KW wasn't in good conditions (due to his birthday celebration the night before :-) ). A wide culinary range was offered and we stayed at the so-called 'wine quarter' for a long time. Unfortunately we only saw the rear lights of the last train back to Vienna. #!?+$ For that reason we had to spend a night at the tower lodge. Overall a nice festival.

Waldviertel pur

2010-09-02T09:03:00.001+02:00

Monday to Wednesday the 'Waldviertel pur' festival took place at the Viennese Heldenplatz. Due to the bad weather conditions we went there only on Wednesday afternoon. As always the culinary range was quite good and we tried a lot of different meals. Also hemp products were offered. At 10 pm the booths closed and we changed our location to a small pub in the first district. Nice evening.

Kermis at W4

2010-08-28T16:31:00.001+02:00

A year is gone and therefore the traditional kermisses took place. On Saturday we went to our neighbour village for the shooting gallery as well as a couple of Zwettler beers and good food. Sunday was followed by the kermesse at the monastery. Sunshine and a tasty cutlet made it a nice afternoon.

Free Drinks & BBQ at Strandbar

2010-08-20T13:08:00.001+02:00

The harbingers of the next election are in town. In October the federal state election will take place in Vienna and therefore the campaigning parties offer benefits. That background brought us to the Strandbar to an event called 'Urban Passion'. Free drinks and meat from the barbecue supported one of the last nice summer evenings in the city.

Wine, Sound and Sunset

2010-08-12T12:28:00.003+02:00

At the Nussberg in Vienna a happening took place called 'Wine, Sound and Sunset'. As the header says it was primarily to drink wine, listen to the music (broadcasting dj-line) and watch the sunset over Vienna. We took the shuttle-service up the mountain. Unfortunately the area was a bit crowded and we had to wait for our meal for a long time. Nevertheless the wine supply worked. After hours of relaxation with friends we went down half the mountain and then stopped the shuttle to give us a ride for the last kilometers.

Der Zarewitsch (The Tsarevich)

2010-08-10T17:37:00.003+02:00

The last big summer open air festival we attended was 'Der Zarewitsch'. An operetta in three acts by Franz Lehár. The plot is loosely based on a true story: the self imposed exile of the son of Peter the Great, Alexei. The event took place at the lake stage in Moerbisch (lake Neusiedl). The setting was also quite great and the well known melodies made us a great evening.

summer stock theatre @ Stockerau

2010-07-28T10:27:00.002+02:00

The next summer event was the musical 'Victor/Victoria' at Stockerau. A classic well-performed comedy of mistaken identities. Afterwards we met KW and Doris at the local 'Veggiebraeu', a beer hall that offers only vegetarian food!

The Magic Flute

2010-07-22T11:38:00.001+02:00

Every year an opera festival takes place at the old roman stone quarry at St. Margarethen (Burgenland). This year they performed Mozart's magic flute and we've been there. The stage design was gigantic and the catering was quite well. All operas from Mozart are long-lasting and so was this. Therfore I 'lost' some minutes in the last third – mum's the word ;-)

Weekend trip to the Eisenberg

2010-07-11T11:37:00.001+02:00

We spent a weekend at Burgenland to slow down and relax. In the area of Eisenberg close to Deutsch-Schuetzen and the Hungarian border we booked accomodation at a nice guesthouse. The first evening we had an exquisite dinner at an exclusive restaurant called 'Wachter-Wieslers Ratschen'. The second day we did it more rustic. After a wine tasting at the local vinotheque we visited 'Pfeffers Keller' for traditional (cold) dishes and regional red wines. Later we also went to the 'Grenzlandkeller' with resident people. I had to bring a box of wine up the hill in the night - phew!

Danube Island Festival 2010

2010-06-28T09:59:00.001+02:00

Due to the Scout Kermesse we had not time to attend the Danube Island Festival before Sunday evening. It was crowded like the years before but we made it to 'capture' a cocktail table. After watching 'Fendrich' we discovered the festival site and took one of the last subways home.

Scout Kermesse 2010

2010-06-27T09:57:00.001+02:00

The annual Scout Kermesse took place last weekend. After we left the wedding (see post before) we headed to the Kermesse area. We astonished the people by appearing in best clothes nevertheless we changed the vesture after half an hour. It's been a nice evening although they didn't offer bratwurst :-( Later in the night we had a small accident (thanks to the 'bench and table set for outdoor festivities').

wedding of friends

2010-06-27T09:55:00.001+02:00

It's always a pleasure to watch people marrying. It's more pleasure to be invited for the agape after church. All the best for Margit and Gerald!

Brazil Match @ Steve's

2010-06-16T14:07:00.001+02:00

Futball's comin' home. Especially to Steve's home. He invited a bunch of people in his flat for watching the first Brazil match of the World Cup. Steve's home is very cosy therefore the night lasted a little bit longer.

World Cup, Pool, Birthday, Sunken City & 35° Celsius

2010-06-12T13:52:00.003+02:00

The futball word cup started and it's hot in the city. The column of mercury climbed up to more than 35 degrees Celsius. In the afternoon I went to 'Strandbar Hermann' where I watched the futball match on the big screen. This activity was followed by a jump in the pool at Sabine's mum and the visit of Philip's birthday party in the evening. We left the party around midnight and headed forward to the 'Sunken City' to meet with friends. It was a funny warm night at the Danube.

First BBQ of the Season

2010-06-06T21:12:00.002+02:00

After a rainy April and May we had an invitation for a barbecue on one of the first sunny summer days of this year. It started in the forenoon and Peter – the landlord – broiled excellent food. The first barbecue of the season has always a special taste. Late in the afternoon we went back home.

Jaunt to Ma. Taferl

2010-05-16T15:20:00.003+02:00

For Mother's Day my sister's and mine present was a short trip either to Vienna or to Maria Taferl. Our mum decided the latter. Therefore we made this jaunt last weekend. The weather wasn't the best but we were in good humour. For lunch we went down to the river Danube were we had excellent food in the restaurant of one of mum's school day friends. It's been a nice trip.

Après Ski Season Closing Party

2010-05-01T11:10:00.002+02:00

We digged up our traditional costumes for the big 'après ski season closing party' that took place on friday evening. That way prepared we headed through the town to the party cellar. The space was already well filled. We started the evening with a round of the famous 'Nageln'. In this game you get a nail that has to be knocked in a stump with a stonemaison's hammer. The tricky thing is that you have to beat the nail with the chisel-shaped blade of the hammer. To get the nails we had to drink some Schnapps :-) That was the beginning of a funny and amusing long night.

Styrian Spring @ Rathausplatz

2010-04-19T00:00:00.004+02:00

In spring the Styrians hold kind of a Kermesse in front of the town hall. This year I managed to go there for the first time. It was really impressive to taste the gastronomic specialities of this part of Austria especially the wines ('Schilcher' and 'Uhudler') and the foods made with pumpkin seeds. We also bought some delicacies for home.

ski Zell summer term 2010

2010-04-15T00:26:00.008+02:00

Yippee! Time for skiing! This time for five days – yeah! We drove to Zell am See on a sunny thursday by leaving Vienna around midday. Early enough we arrived for the après ski bar. :-)

On friday we had sunny weather as well as excellent skiing conditions at Kitzsteinhorn. Skiing at its best. The following days were characterized by sunny hours, foggy hours and snowy hours. I managed to eat every day a different soup. :-)

On Saturday we celebrated Sabine's birthday. It was a great fun – she got a lot of presents. We made it dependent on the weather conditions whether or not we ski on Tuesday. But when looking out the window in the morning it seemed to be the best day of the trip. And it was. We had a great skiing season closing day. A wistfull vista back on the mountains we returned to Vienna on Wednesday.

the easter bunny 2010

2010-04-07T00:22:00.001+02:00

Surprise, surprise, the Easter bunny appeared again this year! Like the years before (click here or here) it was our duty to take a picture with the bunny(s). :-)

housing and interior fair

2010-03-16T21:03:00.004+01:00

At the Viennese fairground the housing and interior fair takes place for two weeks. We got tickets for free and therefore we spent Sunday afternoon at the exhibition. It's been interesting. Getting hungry when walking through the kitchen corner we let the day fade away in a cozy atmosphere by having dinner at 'Pancho'.

Skiing in the alpine upland

2010-02-08T23:06:00.011+01:00

Having the possibility to get accomodation in the Lower Austrian alpine upland brought us a few days of fine skiing.

The skiing areas in Lower Austria aren't that big but the advantage of skiing there is that the ski passes are less expensive than they are in western Austria.

We had gorgeous weather with blue skies and bright sunshine on our skiing day at the Oetscher. The Oetscher wasn't our first choice but we couldn't reach the Forsteralm because of the lack of snow chains.

We went to the Forsteralm the next day (no snow chains obligatory this day). It was cloudy but the sight was ok and the slopes were in an excellent shape. It's been a great day where we skied until the ski-lifts stopped in the late afternoon.

The alpine upland is always worth a short trip.

the waltz continues

2010-01-25T09:32:00.004+01:00

And another ball. This time it was the 'Boku Ball' which also took place at the imperial palace. This event was more cosy because the dress code wasn't that strict. The women had the possibility to wear dirndl dresses (whereof they made brisk use) and the men were also allowed to wear traditional leather shorts. I met a lot of friends at the ball and it's been brief night.

Waltz time

2010-01-12T12:38:00.002+01:00

Between New Year's Day and Mardi Gras a lot of balls take place at Vienna. The first one I attended was last saturday at the imperial palace. The main aim of the evening was drinking champagne and waltz/walk around. I bought two lottery tickets for the tombola and had luck – more or less – I won a yellow bag ... hmmmm. The ball night ended around 4 am.

NYE

2010-01-02T18:01:00.001+01:00

What to do on New Year's Evening? I hadn't much ideas for this year so we decided to have some chili at Georg's home as well as watching old TV series. Before midnight we went on a field and after the countdown Christoph shot some fireworks.

There must have been sold fire baskets somewhere because a lot of private parties used them in front of their garages. On our way back we stopped at two of them to give New Years wishes (and to receive some more or less tasty glogg). Then we headed forward to Zwettl. The pubs were crowded and at the main square a big event still took place. Around 4 am I went to bed.

Hmmm ... 34

2009-12-27T17:55:00.001+01:00

The 25th of December – Christmas day and also my birthday. Like every year a couple of friends and I met in Zwettl at the 'Café Sued' to celebrate a little bit. Over the years it's become tradition to do a pub crawl on my birthday. So we did this year.

Christmas parties – part 4 & 5

2009-12-22T12:39:00.003+01:00

Haven't celebrated Christmas enought – hmmm – two more Christmas parties to come.

The first party took place at the 'Universitaetsbraeu' and was the annual get-together of friends also called the 'Xmas Flash'. It was quite funny but nethertheless I had to leave around 10:30 pm to attend the last Christmas party for this year.

It's been the christmas party of the student's union and it took place at the student's union building. After hours of gossip and drinking (and a shortcut to the Ride Club) I decided to finish Christmas parties for this year. ;-)

Christmas parties – part 3

2009-12-19T12:38:00.002+01:00

At the 'Rathauskeller' – a restaurant in the basement of Vienna's city hall – the fraternity did its christmas celebration. The official part took about two hours. Then I picked up Sabine and we went to celebrate the conclusion at the club house.

Christmas parties – part 2

2009-12-18T12:37:00.002+01:00

Like the years before the firm celebrated christmas at the Racino. This year we've been company for the Emperor Robert Heinrich I. (known from television). It was quite funny. The cabaret was followed by an awful magician (also known from television) and then the music show started hosted by the former participator at Eurovision Song Contest – Manuel Ortega.

The dinner buffet was excellent. Also a midnight snack was offered (eggs, ham and greaves). Around two I left the party to drive back to Vienna.

At the Christmas market with an old buddy

2009-12-16T13:28:00.002+01:00

KW and I failed to meet on a Christmas market last year but we fixed a date for this year. I decided to have a hot wine at the 'Altes AKH' – the old general hospital. Positive effect: You can easily catch a beer if you're fed up with these sweet'n'sticky punch things. And that was how it ended – having a 'Zwettler Zwickl' at the pub nearby.

Hot wine at the 'Belvedere' castle

2009-12-14T13:24:00.004+01:00

I've never tried the Christmas market in front of the 'Belvedere' castle. So I made a date there with Sabine and we tried the 'Schilcher' hot wine as well as the 'Uhudler' hot wine. Both good. ;-)

Christmas parties - part 1

2009-12-12T13:00:00.002+01:00

The first Christmas party for this year took place on Friday. The department invited to a so-called 'Hendlbrater' somewhere in the boonies. Nevertheless it was funny and I got an exquisite four-course menu as well as the first bock beer of the season.

Ski Zell December 2009

2009-12-10T12:56:00.005+01:00

The annual December ski trip to 'Zell am See' took place last weekend. Due to less snow conditions it was only possible to ski at the peak of the 'Schmittenhoehe' or to go to the 'Kitzsteinhorn' glacier. The first day we decided for the glacier but because of the weekend it was very crowded (they counted approx. 12,000 skiers up there on Saturday).

So for Sunday we tried the 'Schmittenhoehe' and I think that was a good decision. The few slopes weren't crowded and the snow was great. A really good skiing day.

On Monday we switched again to the glacier. The weather conditions were quite ok and the skiing was great. We also had a cool après ski at the 'Dorfschenke' with our group of 'cows'.

The next day the weather was really worse. It's been snowing and very foggy. For this day we decided to relax. On Wednesday we went back to Vienna.

Hannes' birthday

2009-11-13T00:24:00.000+01:00

At the 'Heuriger'

2009-11-12T00:22:00.000+01:00

Tuesday and a suckling pig

2009-11-04T11:18:00.005+01:00

A small event for friends and sponsors of Loco Bar took place on Tuesday. Having nothing on that evening I headed there for having a portion of suckling pig as well as a few free drinks.

Happy Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T11:38:00.002+01:00

Even though this kind of celebrating spills over from the States more and more it makes fun to have an occasion for partying. Nevertheless I'm not a fan of painting my face therefore I had chosen a wig that made me look like a minor musketeer. Hmm, is that permitted for Halloween?

Never mind! I avoided the disgusting 'punishment drink' for non-dressed. I was early but around midnight the cellar was crowded. Meeting lots of friends made it a nice evening that ended early in the morning.

Kronsegg

2009-10-25T21:52:00.001+01:00

I have never been to this castle ruin so when driving home for weekend I decided to do some sightseeing. I drove via Langenlois and Kronsegg where I stopped and it took me about ten minutes on a footpath to went up to the decayed castle.

You can enter the castle ruin for free from May till the end of October. It was also possible to climb the two tower houses. After walking around the building I continued my way to Zwettl.

Trip to the TV show 'Bingo'

2009-10-11T20:09:00.004+02:00

On Saturdays I often play the state lottery's 'Bingo'. The 'Bingo' numbers were drawn during a TV show on the national broadcasting company (ORF). Every week another district has the possibility to be audience in that show. About two weeks ago they announced that there will be the district of Zwettl. So I called for my mother and when she was choosen she could bring someone with her – myself.

We were picked up by a bus on Saturday morning around 10 am at the train station in Zwettl. I felt a little bit like beeing on a retiree trip. However we got a snack during our way to Vienna and when we arrived at the headquarters of the ORF five persons were drawn to be participants in the question-and-answer game.

We were brought to the cafeteria where we had lunch. After the meal we had a guided tour through the headquarters of the national broadcasting company. We saw different studios and we were also introduced in the 'secret' of the blue box in a so called 'Experimental Studio'.

After the guided tour we got our 'Bingo' t-shirts. I got a green one. Then it was time for recording the show. We were brought to the 'Bingo' studio where they explained how to clap hands and make noise and how the groups should walk down to the stage in case of beeing chosen for the final game.

The presenter entered the stage and did some jokes with the audience. Then the recording of the show started. Our green guy started well in the question-and-answer game but was then overtaken by the yellow girl who did it in the end. So the yellow group was in the final game on the stage – what a pitty.

After the end of the show we got a voucher for a 'Bingo'ticket for the next show and then the bus brought us back to Zwettl. At home I watched the record of the show and I saw myself twice – once in the beginning and once at the end.

Horn – Raabs

2009-10-06T20:33:00.003+02:00

Last Sunday it's been time to visit the other parts of the 'Lower Austrian state fair'. (Click here for the first part.) We started at Horn. Horn is a county town in northern Lower Austria. The showrooms were at the 'Kunsthaus'. It took us nearly three hours to walk through the exhibition.

After Horn we forwarded to Raabs. On the road to that small town we stopped for lunch. At Raabs also parts of the former Iron Curtain were exposed.

Late in the evening we returned home.

Praha 2009

2009-09-22T06:53:00.005+02:00

Prague is always worth a trip! Although I was there four times my mother and my sister were not. For Mother's Day in May we decided to present our mum with a trip to Prague after the summer. Now it's been time.

I booked a 3-star-hotel on the internet on a very favourable price. We went there by car and thanks to my sisters GPS system it wasn't a problem to find the hotel.

Prague is really beautiful and we had also luck with the weather conditions. We visited the main tourist destinations. Unfortunately the castle was so crowded and we did not want to stand in queue for three hours. So we only walked through and did not went in. We also had not luck with the Jewish quarter. Due to the Jewish new year celebrations the synagogues and the cemetery weren't open.

On Sundy afternoon we went back home. It's been a great trip although the GPS system sent us through the middle of the woods on our way back to Austria. You should always take a map with you and not rely on the navigation system!

Waldviertel pur @ Heldenplatz

2009-09-01T00:02:00.003+02:00

To bring some sense of taste to the capital city the 'Waldviertel pur' festival took place at the Heldenplatz. On Monday I went there to check out what's going on. I tried a half pint of hemp beer as well as a 'Hanfzelte' (a cookie with a hemp filling).

On Tuesday I went there again to meet with lots of friends. We had some excellent food and beer. It's also been nice to sit on a memorial in front of the Imperial Palace. Good festival!

Kermesse at Rudmanns & Stift Zwettl

2009-08-24T23:53:00.001+02:00

Every year on the weekend after the August bank holiday the Kermesse takes place. This time it's been bigger. Every society did its own business (the fire brigade did the grilled chicken, the pensioner union run the cafe, the regional youth run the disco tent, etc.). My sister and I went to the village square to meet with my old school buddy KW and his girlfriend. Although the weather conditions weren't the best we had fun as far as 1 am.

The next day I continued my Kermesse visits at Stift Zwettl abbey. They had weather luck and were sold out in grilled chicken past midday.

BBQ at Zitternberg

2009-08-22T16:27:00.002+02:00

On friday the Stadlers invited to a big barbecue party at their house in the Kamp valley. I picked up two friends in Vienna and we arrived on time.

Around fifty people appeared there and took pleasure in chatting, sports activities and - of course - drinking.

At midnight there was a birthday celebration for their younger sister followed by fireworks and a brief concert. It's been a long night.

Birthday of Wiesi @ Strandcafé

2009-08-19T23:48:00.001+02:00

For Michaels birthday celebration we met at the 'Alte Donau' at Strandcafé. Not being there for years I enjoyed a nice summer evening at the lakeside. Afterwards we had a cocktail at the 'Copa Cagrana'.

Telč

2009-08-16T23:38:00.004+02:00

On the bank holiday my mom and I went to Telč in the Czech Republic. Telč is a small picturesque town located in the Moravian part of the country. This summer a section of the 'Niederösterreichische Landesausstellung' (Lower Austrian state fair) is transboundary and that's why we went there.

The topic of the state fair is 'Divided, Seperated, United.'. In Telč the showrooms are in the Renaissance castle at the pictorial marketplace. The exhibition illustrates the joint culture of the two former parts of the Dual Monarchy.

After having a late afternoon lunch with famous Bohemian dumplings we went back home.

Siófok - Balaton 2009

2009-08-09T13:53:00.003+02:00

Hungary is close for a summer holiday. I've been to Siófok once in 2002 so I decide to go there again. Two friends joined and so we left Austria on Monday afternoon and around 6 pm we arrived at lake Balaton. It took us some time to find the campsite (thanks to the Hungarian software of the navigation system).

I did not expect anything I only wanted to lie around for two days. Unfortunately it rained on the second day. So we drove around the northern part of the lake doing some sightseeing at Balatonfüred and Tihany. Very impressive. We took a shortcut by crossing the lake by ferry.

Siófok has a very exciting nightlife. There is a long bar-street and some clubs located at or close to the beach as well as two big night clubs with several floors who clash for guests. In front of the campsite inside the water a platform for water skiing was installed. I didn't try but Hannes did. After five relaxing days we went back to Austria.

On our way back we stopped at Burgenland because my old friend Martin had invited us for a barbecue. After a last night in my micro-motorhome atween maize fields we returned to Vienna on Sunday midday.