Vienna Series - The Skylink

To the travelling public, the new Skylink at Vienna International Airport more or less sprang up by surprise. During the construction period, there were no visible signs of disruption such as road works, traffic redirection, etc. Voila, on arrival on June 11 on an Lufthansa flight (operated by Austrian Airlines), we landed four square at the new terminal: VIE new terminal

The spacious walkway from the new check in desks
to security leading to Gates F, G

A few swanky shops lined the route to Gate G.
From there, an escalator ride takes the passenger back down to
ground floor for departure

Eye catching display in the shopping/restaurant area

Letters falling into a sea of words -
a fascinating piece of conceptual art

Vienna Series - My favorite pieces

Time and time again, when I ask myself for how long I have stood in front of an object and admire it, I inevitably choose items that are intricate, beautiful, and elegant. Here are two of my favorite pieces from the Natural History Museum Vienna.

A hibiscus flower made from rose quartz

Nature, as it is, unadorned

Vienna Series - The Danube Canal

We took the Twin City Liner from Bratislava to Vienna. The boat enters the Danube Canal (Donaukanal) and travels 12 km before landing at Schwedenplatz. The banks of the Canal are lined with graffiti: it was like entering a long art gallery, with a surprise every metre of the way.

Vienna Series - Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof)

The Vienna Central Cemetery was conceived and built on a grand scale. Situated just outside Simmering, it can be reached by the #71 tram from the underground station. I was slightly surprised that different faith groups would be interred on the same ground. The Ehrengräber or honorary graves were apparently designed to be a kind of tourist attraction. Interred here are musical notables such as Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Johann Strauss II, and Schoenberg. Mozart is honored with a memorial.

The Dr. Karl Lueger-Gedächtniskirche, Zentralfriedhof, Vienna

Entrance to  Zentralfriedhof , Vienna

Horseshoe shaped crescent at the entrance to the graves

Beethoven's grave

Memorial to Mozart

An intriguing memorial: of torture, slaughter, inhumanity

Gothic on a modest scale

A woman lovingly cleaning the tombstone 

Vienna Series - Gems that rock

The Natural History Museum Vienna contains a large collection of specimens representing the earth and life sciences, and the diversity of nature is beyond breathtaking. The previous minerals section completely took my breath away. Here are some of the minerals that I find so fascinating.

A beautiful shell

Vienna Series - Gay Parade

Apparently, June is the season for gay pride parade. At Vienna, on Saturday June 16, the parade was in full swing. Show time!

Bratislava Series - O Summer O Blue Skies

Summer has hit Central Europe with a vengeance. At the weekend, it was 31 degrees C in the morning at Bratislava. 

Dancers on stilts at Eurovea Square, Bratislava

Sunflower made from staves of beer barrels and horseshoes,
in front of the old National Theater, Bratislava

O my beauty, soaked in delicious wine

The square in front of the old National Theater, Bratislava
Photo: MLP

A grand statement in front of the Danube, Bratislava
Photo : MLP

The Devin Castle ruins, seen from the Danube

Bratislava Series - Summer Again

So long I have not ventured outside apart from the daily trip to and from the office. The grind of work has consumed all of my waking hours and has even eaten into my sleeping hours. 


On a warm summer evening, people gathered around the fountain at Eurovea, chatting and laughing. Some had their small dogs with them (very few big dogs in Bratislava). And some were eating ice cream. Aah, ice cream....

Summer time, Eurovea square, Bratislava

Eating ice cream, Eurovea Square, Bratislava

Unexpectedly, the New SND was open. As I approached the sculpture at the front of the building, an object that I have seen hundreds of times, the vision of two whales frolicking in the ocean suddenly materialised. Etched against the glass of the building, it was a moment of pure pleasure.

The New SND, Bratislava

Staircase to the SND auditorium

The interior of the SND was all white marble, bland and austere. There were 3 home-made creatures in the foyer: a horse, an eagle and a polar bear. Perhaps they were left over stage props from some children productions. Overall, it conveyed the impression that not much thought was given to interior decoration.

Bratislava Series - Jubilee Celebrations

Today, UK is celebrating the Queen's 60 years on the throne. Here's an aerial view of the crowd gathering along the Thames to see the Pageant. It is reported that there are 9000 applications for street parties or Jubilee Lunch. With an estimated population of 62m in the UK, and assuming each street party is attended by 100 people, that's about 1% participation rate. According to reports from home, there is no bunting and no street parties where I live.

I am watching this from the lounge in the hotel, a place where I can relax with a pot of tea, read the papers, and chill out after a long hard day at work. 

Zagreb Series - My Favourite Sculpture

At the Mimara Museum, Zagreb

Zagreb Series - The Hotel

By far the best can be said of the Westin Hotel is the view from one of the suites on the 14th floor. Incidents include: loud thumping disco music emanating from a "private party" at 0130 on a Saturday morning, concierge appearing with a replacement room key at 0200 hours reeking of drink, no hot water, Internet connection down, power points not working, grumpy service.

Zagreb Series - Flora

I had not imagined that Zagreb has so many green spaces with artfully arranged flora. Here, these specimens are found at the Botanical Garden. They are my favourites, for their unusual colour.

And now, a man-made object, seen in Gornji Grad (Upper Town)