Day 14 - Wi-Fi Fixed!

Monday - Oct. 27

Daylight savings time ended, and clocks were pushed back 1 hour this morning. So, our time difference to the US is now only 5-hours.

After breakfast, we took the tram to Wien Mitte to the Day Lounge Cafe and settled into comfy leather chairs with tea and capuccino to use the Internet (since our local cafe was closed Sunday and Monday). We were glad to have the extra hour, as Ron had to be back at the apartment by noon to wait for the Internet repair person (who was to come between 12-5). I stayed in the cafe and worked on the computer a couple more hours, researching places to stay in Carinthia on our way south, and doing other searches.

I headed back about 1 PM, just as Ron had emailed me a message that "you can come home now", meaning the Internet was up and running. I didn't see his message, and the repair guy was still at the apartment when I arrived. We tested my laptop connection just to be sure - everything in order. We are keeping our fingers crossed it will work correctly the rest of our stay. Makes life much easier!

By then we were ready for lunch. Another frustrating experience then ensued. I had been wanting to go to the Palmenhaus in the Burggarten, so we took our Tram #1 to the Burgring.

The standard poodle (7-months old)  in seat facing us on tram

Theseus Temple in built 1821
in Volksgarten
(modeled on temple in Athens)

We set out walking into the Volksgarten, as the map I had purchased showed the Palmenhaus to be located there. I said I had read elsewhere that we should walk down Goethegasse, but with the map in front of our eyes, we headed into the Volksgarten.

After walking the entire width and length of the Volkspark, I said, "This has to be wrong - the place is in the BURGgarten." It is really true - the Vienna City Map for Pedestrians" is WRONG! We then walked around the entire Hofburg complex, and when we found ourselves almost back to the point we had started an hour earlier, we found the Palmenhaus. At least we had good exercise for the day, and we passed many beautiful sights - and enjoyed blue skies!

Exterior - Palmenhaus - In warm weather, a beautiful outside terrace for dining

The Palmenhaus was originally built in 1822, and was a private greenhouse for the Emperor. It was rebuilt in 1901 in Jugendstil syle by the famous architect Friedrich Ohman. It fell into disrepair and was closed for about 10-years, and opened as a restaurant, cafe, and butterfly house  after a $17 million renovation around 1998.

We were both disappointed in the menu - very limited. We decided to share a small cheese platter, and REST for awhile. We had been here for a nice meal several years ago, but the menu (at least mid-afternoon menu) was not even similar.

Mary - Catching her breath in Palmenhaus

Cheese plate with GOOD walnuts and pumpkin seeds

From there we walked to Kaerntnerstrasse (main pedestrian shopping street between St. Stephens and the Opera ) and proceeded to Stiffl, a large department store. We went up in the glass elevator to the Sky Bar on the top floor (7th here - would be called 8th in US). Here we had a great view of the roof of St. Stephens and many other buildings.

Ron splurged on a Scotch (you pay dearly for the view) and I had my usual Grunerveltliner.

As night began to fall, the interior lights were dimmed, and buildings around the city became illuminated.

St. Stephens at dusk

We found Bus #2A and rode to familiar Schwedenplatz, transferred to Tram #1 and returned to Radetzkyplatz. We love the availability of public transport - great once you learn the routes, and the ins and outs. Up the staircase to our abode, made much more welcoming by the return of WI-FI! We finished the preparation of "Kathie's" chicken casserole, and about an hour later enjoyed our repast.

Hope the weather will cooperate tomorrow, as I have a list of places to go and things to see as our time here winds down. Can't believe we are already two-weeks into this six-week journey!