[sen2009]

Great Story with awesome pictures. I can't find a similarly detailed and spirited story on Europe travel not only in tbhp, nowhere on the net.
Super story with super micro detailed information.

I hereby withdraw my "hurry up dude" and similar comments. Take your time man... such a creation will take a lawwwwt of effort. We (me & wife) offer you our heartfelt thanks. Reading your story is not only entertaining, but also gives a ray of hope to our middle class lives that someday we can follow your footsteps.

Thanks, thanks and... hurry up please!

EDIT: Got into some trouble at home with mom after setting you "another one" as wallpaper.

[rxpaul]

TSK...we don't mind sightseeing Vienna for one more day, more photos pl.

Whenever i go to Europe, i
- Wonder how it is so so clean ?
- How those statues and buildings are maintained so well despite the heavy snow ?
- How the vehicles on the road move so synchronised to the right (slower lanes) when one overtakes (no honking, no furious flashing of headlights).

And then come back to my dear India and
- Wish my country was so clean
- Wish we had better civic sense
- Wish we Indians had better road manners.

[tsk1979]

Museumsquartier is our station for the next destination, which is the Maria-Theresa-Square.
This area is famous for, well, Museums.

Since it has some lovely statues, and also some trams running on the street, and has a typical European feel, we decided to stroll the whole area.

This region can be called the cultural center of Vienna, or the city center in true sense.
you start from one end, see the Museums, the Parliament, and then proceed through Hofburg palace and continue NE to end up in Stephenplaz.

A shot of the street near the metro station


A Baroque building

These buildings have been maintained very very well. They look as if they are new. Restoration is done regularly, and care is taken to use original color schemes without alteration

the cables you see are for hanging the traffic lights. Erecting poles will destroy the "image" of the location


Another shot of the building


A short walk brings us to the the destination, the Maria-Theresa-Platz. Platz means square(and it can be circle too), while strasse means road in all of German speaking Europe.

There she sits, on her throne


I think this was the museum of fine arts, right opposite the Museum of Natural History. If you are a museum buff, and you had to visit just one Museum in Vienna, I guess, Museum of natural history would be the one. Since we are not museum buffs, you will get to see it only from outside

This painted gentleman is Mozart

Now Mozart is a very big thing in Austria.Esp Salzburg. While Vienna is more or less safe from Mozartification, Salzburg has been completely taken over

Now, this gentleman is not actually Mozart(unless he's turned into a Zombie), but is merely dressed as Mozart.
If you put coins in his tumbler, he will wave and let you get your picture clicked with him.

And this is the Facade of the Museum of Natural history


And this ladies and gentleman is a statue of an Elephant. Do not forget to sit on his trunk and get your photo clicked.



I somehow liked this shot.


Right near the entrance there is statue of Europa. She is Europe, or the Greek goddess from whose name Europe was derived. Look at the similarity to Statue of Liberty.


The tarp on the left is for protecting a restored section. Almost every historical building had this tarp somewhere or other. As I mentioned earlier, they take their buildings very seriously

On the other side of the door is America and Australia. Notice, America is not wearing a hat, and neither is Australia, and the reason is simple. These statues depict the original inhabitants of the two continents


A shot near the ticket counter


We did not go in(I told you so!)

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by mmxylorider

I can't help but wonder at the sheer size of these gardens. Immaculately maintained and spotlessly clean. Compare them with say the Taj Mahal gardens and the difference is apparent.

People, people and people who on seeing green grass won't hesitate in laying our a dari and then out comes the eatables.

I haven't been to any other big ones so not sure how they are...

Sorry for sidetracking...

Well, I guess we could keep watering the grass, and after a few "wet" episodes, they will stop

Originally Posted by lsp

You can say that again. The palaces and castles are a far cry from the kind we are used toseeing in India. In terms of area and vastness.

I was surprised to see Napolean's bed in Versailles, Paris was something like 6X4 and Kind Ludwig's bed in Neuschwanstein, Bavaria was 6X3.

Now 6x3 bed is seriously small for a king

Originally Posted by Rahulk76

Tanveer,

Excellent TL and story.. Awesome is one word..

Cant agree with you more as I am myself cherishing Scandinavian countries as i write this

Cant resist posting these two pictures i managed to take with fz35

Panoramic View of Ocean from a island in Northern Europe
Attachment 612033

Seaside Water front

Attachment 612034

You are in the most beautiful part of Europe. Do post a travelogue too!

Originally Posted by sen2009

Great Story with awesome pictures. I can't find a similarly detailed and spirited story on Europe travel not only in tbhp, nowhere on the net.
Super story with super micro detailed information.

I hereby withdraw my "hurry up dude" and similar comments. Take your time man... such a creation will take a lawwwwt of effort. We (me & wife) offer you our heartfelt thanks. Reading your story is not only entertaining, but also gives a ray of hope to our middle class lives that someday we can follow your footsteps.

Thanks, thanks and... hurry up please!

EDIT: Got into some trouble at home with mom after setting you "another one" as wallpaper.

I will give you some more statue pics. She will definitely throw you out of the house

Originally Posted by rxpaul

TSK...we don't mind sightseeing Vienna for one more day, more photos pl.

Whenever i go to Europe, i
- Wonder how it is so so clean ?
- How those statues and buildings are maintained so well despite the heavy snow ?
- How the vehicles on the road move so synchronised to the right (slower lanes) when one overtakes (no honking, no furious flashing of headlights).

And then come back to my dear India and
- Wish my country was so clean
- Wish we had better civic sense
- Wish we Indians had better road manners.

Yes, even I wish so!

[Punzabi]

Like many others, I lurk around TBHP all day everyday without typing any comment anywhere. This time you've really motivated my right hand to leave mouse and my left hand to leave my chin alone and actually type something to appreciate awe-inspiring sights. I am really enjoying Europe through your camera lens. I am a huge fan of blue skies and bright sunlight. Top it up with sculptures and nature, you make me speechless. You've had me glued mate....

[mkpiyengar]

Tanveer,
I just couldn't resist appreciating your efforts of putting such a wonderful travelogue of your trip.
Thanks to you we are able to tour Europe through your eyes..

Coverage and write-up are fantastic with cryptic description of each and every snap.
Kudos to you boss !! Just can't thank you enough !!

Thank you very very much !! God Bless You !!

Cheers
MKP

[wolg]

Nice write up Tanveer. You can experience The beauty of Europe with your lens and pen.

Cheers

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Punzabi

Like many others, I lurk around TBHP all day everyday without typing any comment anywhere. This time you've really motivated my right hand to leave mouse and my left hand to leave my chin alone and actually type something to appreciate awe-inspiring sights. I am really enjoying Europe through your camera lens. I am a huge fan of blue skies and bright sunlight. Top it up with sculptures and nature, you make me speechless. You've had me glued mate....

Originally Posted by mkpiyengar

Tanveer,
I just couldn't resist appreciating your efforts of putting such a wonderful travelogue of your trip.
Thanks to you we are able to tour Europe through your eyes..

Coverage and write-up are fantastic with cryptic description of each and every snap.
Kudos to you boss !! Just can't thank you enough !!

Thank you very very much !! God Bless You !!

Cheers
MKP

Originally Posted by wolg

Nice write up Tanveer. You can experience The beauty of Europe with your lens and pen.

Cheers

Thanks for your wonderful comments. They motivate me to keep writing!
Will try to make atleast one update every day, and more updates on the weekends!

[tsk1979]

We step out, and I take this pic


Yet another lovely statue


Another one


Some more shots from the area


This gentleman is ordering me to go to Museum, but I decide not to listen. We will head towards the Parliament now!


now, Parliaments are really interesting structures in Europe. And the best part is that you can actually go till the door. Austrian Parliament is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Vienna.
We can catch the tram, but since its just a km, we decide to walk towards it

Across the road, I take this picture. This captures the facade with the statues in front. Truly an imposing sight.


A closeup of the statue in front. Do you know who she is? Goddess of Wisdom

I guess if they were to make a statue in front of our parliament, they would use the goddess of stupidity, or maybe put up the statue of a donkey there?

This fountain with the goddess is called the Pallas-Athene fountain.


From Wikipedia

The Athena Fountain (Pallas-Athene-Brunnen) in front of the Parliament was erected between 1893 and 1902 by Carl Kundmann, Josef Tautenhayn, and Hugo Haerdlt, based on the plans by Baron von Hansen. In the middle is a water-basin and a richly decorated base. The four lying figures at the foot of Athena are allegorical representations of the four most important rivers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They represent at the front the Danube and Inn, in the back part the Elbe and Vltava (German: Moldau) rivers. On the sides are little cupids riding dolphins. The statues of the Danube, Inn, and the cupids were executed by Haerdtl, those of the Elbe and Moldau by Kundmann. The female statues above represent the legislative and executive powers of the state, executed by Tautenhayn. They are again dominated by the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena standing on a pillar. Athena is dressed in armor with a gilded helmet, her left hand carries a spear, her right carries Nike.

On the sides are bronze horse tamers


Remember all this is 100 years old, and even older. It looks like new, just like it did on the day it was all built

There are statues on the roof, which are statues pulled by Goddess Nike. And no I do not mean the goddess of sports shoes. She is the goddess of victory


Cupid at the base


towards the rear


More sculptures




Can you spot the tram in this picture?


Inscription on the walls


The Painted roof


A close up

Doors are locked, and this is what we see inside


And this ends our tour of the Parliament.

[mr.sinha]

Wow, Tanveer. Awesome writeup. One of the best travelogue introductions. Looking eagerly forward to the rest of it.
Talking of sculptures, you should see the Vigeland Park in Oslo to see where the Europeans went overboard
I have travelled extensively in Europe on public transport (no driving) during the mid 90s, but most of my pics are on film, and remain unscanned.
5 stars to your effort. You have captured some truly beautiful photos.

[goandude]

Awesome is a weak word to describe the place. Europe is so rich in history and art, it is a beautiful mix. You have captured the beauty very well. What camera and filters did you use?

[mobike008]

Tanveer, this travelogue has surpassed all your other travelogues and a mild word to describe it is "mind-blowing"

The way you introduced the TL was superb and unique. The pictures as usual are the USP to your travelogues.

Havent read through the text completely yet as i am still mesmerized by the pictures. So which 5 countries you visited ( Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, ?, ? )

Rated a well-deserved 5 * to this thread.

[MandarMax]

This is a great travelogue Tanveer, one of the best I have read, and if this was a book, I would simply describe it as "unputdownable".

I always enjoy reading travelogues more than any other literature; in fact I am hungry for this kind of stuff, so please keep them coming fast.

Looks like even for summer the weather gods were happy on you (at least in Vienna) and that shows in the photos, which by the way are really excellent.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit mainland Europe despite having a strong desire (though I've lived in London for a few months), and your travelogue has inspired me to plan a trip again - perhaps in a year or two, also I didn’t earlier have Vienna in the list of "must visit" places but after reading this I’m adding it right away!

[tsk1979]

I haven't updated this thread in a while. Sorry about that. Regular updates will resume shortly!

Originally Posted by mr.sinha

Wow, Tanveer. Awesome writeup. One of the best travelogue introductions. Looking eagerly forward to the rest of it.
Talking of sculptures, you should see the Vigeland Park in Oslo to see where the Europeans went overboard
I have travelled extensively in Europe on public transport (no driving) during the mid 90s, but most of my pics are on film, and remain unscanned.
5 stars to your effort. You have captured some truly beautiful photos.

thanks mr. Sinha. Scandanavia is definitely on the cards. Maybe after a few years!

Originally Posted by goandude

Awesome is a weak word to describe the place. Europe is so rich in history and art, it is a beautiful mix. You have captured the beauty very well. What camera and filters did you use?

I used a D7000 with 16-85 lens. Have used a polarizer

Originally Posted by mobike008

Tanveer, this travelogue has surpassed all your other travelogues and a mild word to describe it is "mind-blowing"

The way you introduced the TL was superb and unique. The pictures as usual are the USP to your travelogues.

Havent read through the text completely yet as i am still mesmerized by the pictures. So which 5 countries you visited ( Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, ?, ? )

Rated a well-deserved 5 * to this thread.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by MandarMax

This is a great travelogue Tanveer, one of the best I have read, and if this was a book, I would simply describe it as "unputdownable".

I always enjoy reading travelogues more than any other literature; in fact I am hungry for this kind of stuff, so please keep them coming fast.

Looks like even for summer the weather gods were happy on you (at least in Vienna) and that shows in the photos, which by the way are really excellent.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit mainland Europe despite having a strong desire (though I've lived in London for a few months), and your travelogue has inspired me to plan a trip again - perhaps in a year or two, also I didn’t earlier have Vienna in the list of "must visit" places but after reading this I’m adding it right away!


[FONT=&quot]Cheers![/FONT]

Well, as we go forward, you will know how the weather gods behaved. I guess they got annoyed with me clicking there brothers and sisters left right and center .
Will post more updates soon.

[ramkya1]

Tanveer,

Missed this somehow........ great thread. Loved the awesome photos and narration, especially the logics and arguments for choices. This is a ready recknor to the, saves me days of research, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

A do it yourself trip makes much more sense to me too; you can cover more places and stretch the rupee a great lot. When we did the UK trip, we did it with a drive trip and B&B options; finished in almost 50% of what most agencies quoted. Choosing places with wi-fi and breakfast is a great way to save costs and stocking up from departmental stores is another way too.

The statues are so well maintained, a great way to attract tourists. The entrances could be killers, they make so much money from puny little castles, cathedrals and historic places, we also skipped most of them. Even the best of them in India are free of entrance fees

Awaiting more...... there's a lot more to Europe than what we had seen and I plan to do a drive holiday there in future. Saving your data for future use.

--Ramky
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