bratislava, budapest, vienna - the last tour

Okay after such a long time, I finally decided to update this. I really have no photos for this because the SD card got corrupted and all my pictures were lost. Nonetheless I have some pictures on phone, but not so much of the scenery sadly.

It was the last week of travelling for me, because exams were about to begin in full force, having to sit for a paper on the day after I return from Vienna. The rest of the Hamburg gang were too fixated with passing their exams that nobody was willing to travel with me. So I travelled alone!

Travelling alone grants me the freedom to visit the attractions I want, but also limits my conversation to a soliloquy in the mind.

Touching down in Vienna Airport, I had to wait for my connecting bus to Bratislava, so a stop at Starbucks first.

Upon reaching Bratislava, I crossed the Nový most (New Bridge) and headed towards Bratislava Castle.

In Bratislava, there was nothing much to see. Honestly, only worth a day trip. The Old Town itself is nothing spectacular, but you could love it if this was your first European destination.

Arriving at Bratislava Castle, I paid to enter the castle's museum. It is really bad inside. There were several photo galleries, and also some painting exhibitions. The paintings were largely unknown works by unknown painters (like literally "Unknown"). Also the highest floor had a exhibit on the Castle before reconstruction and also salvaged parts of the burnt castle. Seriously, who wants to pay money to see things that were destroyed?

At least the scene from outside the window is nice. It overlooks the entire town of Bratislava.

Part 1 of 4: Stairs I climbed to bring you the next picture

The New Bridge, with the Danube River swimming beneath.

At night I caught the bus from the train station (Mlynské Nivy) to head to Budapest to sleep. The apartment was nice and really cheap, but unfortunately no photos to show.

Budapest is split into Buda and Pest; I started with Pest first, walking into the City Park, with several museums, and an ice skating rink.
I went to the Museum of Fine Arts, showcasing some Cezanne works. I thought it was quite interesting to note that I have seen the same piece of art (The Card Players) twice, but never at its original location, the Musee d'Orsay. Once in Singapore, and now once here in Budapest.

The Card Players by Paul Cezanne

Modern art; something about imprisonment

After spending nearly the entire day at the museum, I went to wander in the City Park. The ice-skating rink was crowded, perhaps because it was a weekend. The park was tranquil but I think the one in Madrid was better.

Travelling with the rest of the Hamburg gang trained my stomach to not accommodate regular mealtimes. I searched TripAdvisor for nearby restaurants, and as to be expected of Hungary, you can find good food at cheap prices.

I walked for a while searching for this restaurant, but eventually I found them. They were still serving when I entered. Being the only Asian male in the restaurant does make you stand out very much.

A typical Hungarian beef stew: cheap, and had this alcohol taste to it.

On the next day, I headed towards Buda Castle. I saw the Shoes on the Danube, a tribute to those who were shot into the icy Danube by the Arrow Cross Army. Strolling up slowly along the slopes of Buda Castle, there were little signs of life or tourism. As I wandered closer to the top of the castle, I could hear drills and all. There was a changing of guard ceremony, and that was where all the tourists crowded to.

I browsed through the shops for souvenirs, and chanced upon a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, 21. Calculating the price, it was quite a steal as compared to Cafe Pierrot, which was opposite. A very nice setting, albeit a lonely meal. But the waiter was extremely attentive, he made sure I was comfortable being the only Asian male (and most impoverished-looking) within these four walls.

Only slightly disappointed with the main course, it was not so well paired with the brusselsprouts.

After the meal, I went back, bought some snacks to eat (while studying in my apartment!), and then got completely angry with my apartment for suddenly having no internet to stream the Man City game. Turning on the TV, I felt immediately foolish, because the match was being broadcasted ^_^;;

The next morning, I departed for Vienna. Walking through the town which my dad constantly raved about, I can understand why he loved this place so much. The snow did diminish its beauty slightly, but still, much of the buildings retain much of their magnificence.

I went to the Museum Square, before heading into the Museum of Modern Art (mumok). The main showcase by Dan Flavin, was very mind-boggling.

Dan Flavin's use of fluoroscent lights

 And other pieces by other artists.

My favorite, a film showing a man walking around the perimeter of a square.

I have this love for art or films that do not make sense. It somewhat represents our choices in life; more often that not, we make a choice, and then use our rationality to explain our choice. A senseless film, made out of impulse, then rationalized through logic and latter-day wisdom.

Dinner time! What is Vienna without Wienerschnitzel? This restaurant serves purely Wienerschnitzel, no additional starch or salad to distract your mouth. The taste does get a little vapid towards the end unsurprisingly.

At night I went back to the hotel to study. My room had 3 other Colombians, who were unnecessarily noisy and untidy, so I went down to the lobby to study. When I returned, they had slept, but the pizza box was uncovered, things were lying around, honestly it reminded me of my Mexican flatmate.

The next morning I left early, while the Colombians continued to snooze on their lazy bums. In my hurry I forgot my towel :( Anyway it was the last day, should maximize the daylight hours of my last trip.

I went to walk in the Albertina museum, it had some nice modern art, but really not worth the visit if not because I had too much time on hand.

I had initially intended to visit some Mozart or Beethoven museums, but they all had some really bad reviews.

Sisi Museum, only for those who like looking at royal stuff.

At the Vienna airport, while waiting for my flight, a customary Macdonald's meal is always needed. It was almost ritualistic in nature by now, to try all the different Macdonald's burgers in Europe.

Returning to Hamburg, I sat for an exam the next day. And I passed. "But of course", you say, "you just needed to pass." Unfortunately, human resources mass-manufactured by the Singaporean education factory, programmed to ace their studies, rarely know what a pass is. I thank my alma mater for teaching me how to fail, so that I know when to pass.