Road to London - Vienna On The Danube
Monday, April 30, 2012
It is really difficult to imagine being in three countries in three days. Yes, but it is true. We left Mosonmagyarovar in Hungary on the 26th and entered Slovakia on the same day and was in Bratislava till the 28th when we left for Austria.
The Austrian border is only about 20 kilometers from Bratislava, so we were in Austria also on the 28th. Cycling from Bratislava towards Vienna was indeed a great experience as the whole journey of seventy odd kilometers were done on the cycling trail except for two to three kilometers where we had to use the normal roads when passing through the villages.
I just can't help wondering why our authorities in Malaysia cannot do the same thing. It's commonsense, if you provide the facilities, people will use them.
Don't give excuses such as our weather is not suitable because it is too hot, because people in these countries that I go through cycle in summer, autumn, winter and spring. Along these cycling trails I see families, old men and women fat and thin, young boys and girls, competitive riders all out enjoying themselves. Need I say that cycling is a healthy activity.
We entered Austria without realising it as the usual Immigration formalities are no longer required. The border posts have been dismantled and what is in its place is just a board that says that you are now leaving Slovakia and entering Austria.
No stamping of the passports are required anymore, and whether you drive, cycle or walk, you just go through without stopping. It is wonderful, really.
About 20 kilometers after leaving Bratislava we met a German cyclist also riding towards Vienna and after exchanging stories decided to look for a place to camp. We found a nice secluded place and joined forces to camp.
We collected enough water for our cooking and how glad I was that we could finally camp, for free. We had earlier inquired from a local guy and he said that camping in that locality is not forbidden. Daniel had been glad to meet us as he had been riding alone for several weeks and as we shared similar interests he was only too happy to join us.
The next morning we broke camp and cycled together to Vienna. Much of the cycling trail was along the Danube and about 10 kilometers before Vienna we came across the stretch by the river where people were sunbathing in the nude.
Well, while it is ok to see young people with good figures baring all, I find it disgusting to see old men and women with sagging boobs and bellies also going about naked.
We cycled along the Danube till we reached Vienna and with Daniel's help we were able to find a place at a hostel in the city before we parted ways. Vienna is very expensive so we need to move on and perhaps find cheaper places or camp (illegally). Shhhhhh.
Leaving Bratislava
River cruise on the Danube
Tourists love these
The Castle
The Raddison Hotel in Bratislava
The Hotel at night
Very famous person obviously
The Danube as seen along the cycling trail to Vienna
Wide cycling trail parallel to the highway
Cycling with Daniel towards Vienna
The leaves can be eaten
Camping in the wild
Signposts along the trails
Huge parks in Vienna for recreation
In the park
Beautiful Vienna
Walking or cycling up to the bridge
The Park in Vienna
Thanks for the memories, Daniel
If you wish to get in touch with Adnan Osman (his personal blog: http://oadnanxtreme.blogspot.com/), you can email him at oadnanxtreme@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can reach Adnan through his wife, Marina Wong (03-77856058 or marina_wym@hotmail.com) or his son, Adely (adely@the-wknd.com).
