DAY 4--VIENNA

When we awoke on day 4 we were cruising west along the Danube towards Vienna. We could feel the ship slowing down while finishing breakfast. We looked out the window, and suddenly we were watching a concrete wall instead of river scenery. We realized we were entering one of 25 locks we would be going through on our river trip. We went up to the sun deck and could see the back door of the lock closing behind us. Once closed, the lock filled with water to bring the ship up to the level of the Danube on the other side of the lock. Can you see the wind turbine in the background?

Once the level in the lock was raised to the same as the higher Danube, the lock opened, and we proceeded along our journey. 

On board, the chef and his pastry chef did a demonstration before we arrived in Vienna. The chef prepared Austrian "Kaiserschmarrn". After the chef poured a flour and egg batter in a square frying pan, he mixed them every so often like you would mix scrambled eggs. When finished, the dough had a consistency of moist bread pudding. After sprinkling with powdered sugar, he served it to the audience with a hot plum sauce.  Very rich but so tasty!

As soon as we pulled into our dock in Vienna, we went for a short walk on a bridge across the Danube. You can see our ship behind us along with some tree tops showing their brilliant fall colors. Yes, we are wearing coats due to the cool weather.

In the afternoon, we took a bus and walking tour of the Vienna city center. The opera house was magnificent.

This Neorenaissance style theater opened in 1869. Our guide explained that the lobby area was the only part of the opera house left standing after World War II. The theater and stage areas were rebuilt after the WWII. This is a view of the magnificent lobby. 

Walking up the grand staircase gave us a feeling of royalty.

The theater was comprised of auditorium style seating on the floor with four vertical rows of boxes along each side of the theater. The open area to the far right is the standing room section. The charge for a standing room ticket is only 4 Euros, about $5.

The Opera House is run by the city of Vienna. Over 50 operas are performed each year with a different opera performed every night, requiring a huge stage so that multiple sets can be in place at the same time. In the US, a particular show typically runs for several consecutive performances before a different show begins.

The St. Charles Church was built in opulent splendor. There are over 23,000 small colored tiles on the roof. We were amazed at how many people were walking around this afternoon. Obviously, it is still tourist season here in Vienna.

Vienna is a majestic city well-known for the arts. While we enjoyed our visit, the city seemed too crowded to enjoy at a leisurely pace.