[mr.sinha]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Whew!! What a day. And it was cold but overall pretty clear. Tomorrow is the 31st and the forecast says that it will be FULL sunshine.

I can hardly wait.

Beautiful photos and as usual, your unique style of writing is awesome. I wish I was as lucky with the weather in Croatia as you were here

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Tomorrow is the 31st and the forecast says that it will be FULL sunshine.

I can hardly wait.

We went home for a short while before we decided to go out to a typical old-fashioned Viennese restaurant in order for me to see what a genuine Wiener Schnitzel tastes like.

Delicious.


We walk home again, this time I marvel at the decorations on the streets, all in preparation of Christmas season and the Silvesterpfad tomorrow.








I love the 2 pictures above as they really convey the feeling and atmosphere of Wien by evening.

Off to bed then.


--------------------------------------------
31st December 2012

I've had a fitful sleep last night. Our hosts brought brochures of the New Year's night party on the streets. Plus we're going to have a party at home too.
And it's going to be a sunshiny day.

I get like that. Then I can't sleep.

As soon as I manage to open on eye I look out.

ThesunisoutThesunisoutThesunisoutThesunisoutThesun isoutThesunisout!!!

TheskyisblueTheskyisblueTheskyisblueTheskyisblueTh eskyisblueTheskyisblue!






I quickly roll into my polartech sweater from Mammut, lol and roll out my camera and start shooting.


Sam come to the breakfast table, really.


My mind is outside. During breakfast our host smiles and points upwards as he speaks
Want to go up on the roof?
I point, up? Sure!!
OK we go after breakfast, take your camera!

We climb up soon after breakfast.


To an absolutely breathtaking view of the old city. OMG.






You know that sharp at 12 tonight we could climb up here and watch the entire city sky go up in fireworks. Especially around the St. Stephen's church.

Now THAT sounds like a great idea!

I enjoy the sunshine and the view, despite the wind. I cannot wait to go out today.

[motomaverick]

Lovely Wein and lovely spread of food, so how was the schnitzel? it kind of looks like the zinger of the zinger burger

[Sam Kapasi]

We get dressed and are back out into the city. It looks like a truly wonderful day. Blue skies, sunshine (though the temperature is somewhat closer to zero)

Today we're going to the Belvedere Palace.

The walk to the Palace takes us past so many fantastic buildings and noteworthy works of Architecture that it is amazing. I would compare my experience here to my travels in Paris and Rome where all you end up doing with your camera is acting like a beggar at a buffet.


Past the opera house








And the Russian war memorial


And then into this beautiful palace











As we walk up to the palace I see what appear to be a host of rather ugly yellow cranes... Are they cranes? Surrounding the building. Confusing.


Indeed. Tonight will be the world-famous son et lumiere (light and sound show) at the palace and each crane carries lighting equipment.

This city really does take a lot of trouble over New Years night.

As we walk I pay attention to the language around me. People speak in Spanish, Italian, Russian and the Austrian dialect of German which I don't understand. Mostly.

Don't raise an eyebrow like that, lol. If you just about managed to understand Hindi finally and someone spoke to you in Bhojpuri, what would you do?



A beautiful view of the city and then a walk around the palace to the gardens in the rear.

[Jignesh]

Hello Sam,

Have you been to Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, Germany?

Nymphenburg Palace - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nymphenburg Palace look similar to Belvedere Palace you are presenting here & it also has huge gardens on the rear side.

As I went there last year in January, the gardens were fully covered with snow.

Thanks,

[basilmabraham]

Amazing captures Sam. Thanks for sharing. I cant wait to see the pics of the fireworks. During our last New year in Munich the fireworks went on for almost an hour before and after 12:00. It was amazing.

Nymphenburg Palace has a huge lake in front which freezes in Winter... Skating, Curling... etc. Amazing. next time, make usre you visit Munich too.

[mr.sinha]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

ThesunisoutThesunisoutThesunisoutThesunisoutThesun isoutThesunisout!!!

TheskyisblueTheskyisblueTheskyisblueTheskyisblueTh eskyisblueTheskyisblue!


Indeed. Tonight will be the world-famous son et lumiere (light and sound show) at the palace and each crane carries lighting equipment.

sunout, skyblue: Yeah, go ahead, rub it in some more for me.

I saw a video of this light and sound show on youtube. A MUST see. It was unbelievable, the things they do with light and shadows.

[_raVan_]

Amazing pics and narration (as usual) Sam! Loved your Croatia travelogue and this one too. May God give you more opportunities to visit many more beautiful cities and may we have the privilege of seeing it through your pictures

[Sam Kapasi]

We now walk back into the city and walk through the streets to Franziskaner platz where the church is.



Vienna is such a stunning mix of old and new. We step into the bylane of a beautiful bookstore which also turns out to be a central residence courtyard


The path to the courtyard


Here you can see a classic example of old and new together


And a car for you car lovers. A classic Abarth, next to a typical water fountain in a building.


The courtyard and bookstore


And finally back out at the turning to Franziskaner platz

Franziskaner platz is picturesque, home to the world-famous Kleines Cafe (literally, little cafe) designed by Hermann Czech in the 1970s.

You can see it in the picture below.


But the church at the square: OMG. Don't let the quiet unassuming outside fool you.

The inside is a wealth of art and detail. Take a look.



The additional modern chairs are to accomodate extra people for the New Year's Mass.








Hi and welcome to the God Box. Press one for a pint of holy water. Press 2 for holy candles. Press 3 for religious music and 4 for your special God Box copy of the Bible.

Time now to visit the Kleines cafe for some coffee and cake.


Love that blue, that is an amazing colour.

I see another amazing blue on the streets of Vienna, later.

Here. Tongues back in your mouth scooterheads!

[mallumowgli]

Lovely YetiBlog as usual

What endears to me is the genuine love the people seem to have for the city - not only in the physical sense or for the architecture, but to what the city stands for and to what the city is as a concept. Never seen this in any of the Indian cities - except perhaps to some extent in Kolkata

Thanks for the blog!!

[Sam Kapasi]

We're at home, nice and warm with some great music and cozy company. At about 10 we decide to get dressed and walk out into the Silvesterpfad, the great new year party.

There are 7 districts divided into various forms of entertainment. Honestly, this is a whole night out, to be able to walk through all the districts. We decide to walk through 2 or 3 to get a feel of things.

Ladies and Gentlemen, those who know me, know I like to party. I love the energy that large groups of people emanate, the concept of having fun and watching others have fun is one that appeals to me greatly.
What can I say, I like to party!!

And therefore two things will happen. One, I will declare the following post to me my favourite. Two, I will strongly encourage you to visit Vienna for an unforgettable New Year's eve.

Go, go alone (you won't be alone for too long, lol) go with your partner, wife, husband -- it can be both fun and romantic or even go as a group of friends. I promise you, you will be thanking me on New Years eve.

But too much talk already, where are the photos?

HERE!!

First we start off with the street of Rock - a loud concert and it looks and sounds like fun. This is right outside where we live.



Of course you can buy all kinds of things to eat and drink off the street, what's a celebration without food eh?

Walk on further, whoa!




A little ahead we reach the sounds of Electronic dance music. Little booths everywhere with DJs and really loud (JBL) speakers and people dancing. Like dancing dancing dancing. Amazing!!




OMG!

Some time later, we walk on further




People wear all kinds of funny headgear as you can see





(Nice eh? Want to see them go?)



I want to buy a hat!!
Uh huh k, say I.



She speaks in German to the man at the stall and sure enough, chooses a



A Pig. I must now walk around the streets of Vienna holding the hand of a grown woman who wears a pig on her head.



Shortly we reach the Waltz area.





Truly unbelievable, couples hold each other and waltz on the streets.

Ah well. Jenny and I also do the Viennese Waltz. We try to be serious and romantic about it, but it is hard not to laugh when you have a pig on your head.

Much later we continue walking







Past the little shops



Past St. Stephans in time to watch the rather modern hotel fire up all its lasers.

It's going to be fantastic at 12 midnight yells our host over the noise. We should start heading home.

And so we go home.

Time enough to warm ourselves up a bit before we climb up onto the roof.

WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!

[ninjatalli]

Wonderful pics boss! Love the quip on partying, couldn't agree more! Awaiting the next set of pics & storyline like a kiddo does everynight before sleeping!

[AlphaKilo]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Attachment 875080

A Pig. I must now walk around the streets of Vienna holding the hand of a grown woman who wears a pig on her head.

I hope no "angry birds" fan were there around.. Wonderful pics. especially those of "die Blondiene Häschen"

[gaurangsaini]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Time enough to warm ourselves up a bit before we climb up onto the roof.
WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!

Mr Kapasi,

I thank god & feel blessed to have you among us

There are travel guide books, and then there are YetiBlogs! Your blogs and experiences have literally been eye-openers.

'Nuff Said.

[raghdip]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

As we walk I pay attention to the language around me. People speak in Spanish, Italian, Russian and the Austrian dialect of German which I don't understand. Mostly.

The Austrian dialect of German is called Wienerisch.

Its a lot different than German ,I've also been told that even Germans find it difficult to understand someone talking in fluid Wienerisch.

As far as the Travelog's concerned i'm absolutely hooked, more so because its Wien that your are covering.