Went down and checked out of room. They told me doorman could hail a taxi for me, so possible another will show up at 6? Oh well, they make it too confusing, so they can deal with it.
Taxi pulled up. I put bags in rear with me. Total fare would be 95 Egyptian pounds. Ride only took about 15 minutes. Only one slow down traffic wise and that was from a film crew that had half a bridge over the rail yard blocked off.
Arrived at airport, gave driver 100 Egyptian pounds and told him to keep the 5. Went inside and now I am confused. No signs about where to check in with the airline. Security is before the ticket agents. Checked flight board and it was still too early for my flight to show up.
Used toilet then stopped at small cafe and had a Pepsi and an eclair (22 Egyptian pounds). Almost out of Egyptian pounds now. Will just keep the rest. Will sit here till about 7ish, then check flight board again. Will not pass security till I see the flight confirmed there, hopefully to avoid confusion.
About 7:30ish I decided to go into security as the lines were getting longer. Waited in a mess of people to get into security section (I should mention that the concept of a linear queue does not exist here). Once in, went through security checkpoint, bag x-ray, metal detector and check of passport and ticket.
Next stood in a sort of line to check in with airline. This was a slow process and two guys in line next to me were about to come to blows over something. Total chaos.
At counter did the usual check of passport, asked about bag check and then printed boarding pass and initial exit card.
Next stood in a sort of line for passport control. Again checked passport, visa, ticket. Stamped those and filled in data on exit card.
Next was the gates. First I went up stairs, near the cafes and lounges to use toilets.
Tipped guy 5 Egyptian pounds and then sat around reading a book for about 1 hour. Went down stairs about 9:30 to gate 7. Was just a crowd outside security checkpoint (again) next to a cafe. Stood in corner out of way as my flight was not yet boarding.
About 15 minutes and they started to board flight to Vienna. Security was x-ray, metal detector, pat down and passport/ticket check. This brought us to waiting room. Sat for about 45 minutes. They started boarding then. Waited in line in no order to give boarding pass to guy who checked it and tore off stub. Then walked to door, guard checked stub and passport yet again.
Once out door, we loaded onto a bus that when full drove us out to plane waiting on tarmac. They checked stub again, then let us on stairs to plane. Once on board, put bag in overhead and found seat.
This ended being an Egypt Air flight and plane. Not the same flight number as my original Egypt Air operated Austrian Airlines flight. Plane is crowded and full. Before take off had to listen to some whining, crying brat behind me, in Arabic of all things. Be so glad to get off this plane, also getting a bit of turbulence. Long flight this will be.
Lunch was served about 30 minutes into flight. Had roll with butter, cheese, roast beef, rice with veggies, an olive from salad, a cheesecake, Coke and hot tea. Not too bad, though not the best. Swiss Air still has best meals so far, but Egypt Air is up there with United at least.
Have to say that I am surprised by Egypt Air, a bit better planes, service, and food than expected. Now if they could just make the actual airport experience better.
Trying to read early log entries, but motion headache is already bad enough. Watching the program on TV, but without headphones, get what is going on, it is a TV documentary about the finding of Hatshepsut's mummy which I read in the planes magazine prior to take off.
It is hot in here, but thankfully I have an aisle seat, so trips to the toilet will be easier and can learn out a bit for room (though service carts are going up and down right now).
Spent flight just getting by, could not sleep, but did manage to close eyes and rest. Watched the latest Die Hard movie after resting, thought without sound. Amazing how much you can figure out.
Plane finally landed in Vienna. After getting off plane had a long walk up jet way. At top were 2 guards checking passports, though so quickly, not sure what they were actually looking for.
Inside gate area followed signs for exit. That took me down stairs to passport control. Took 10 seconds and I was through that. Next was a long walk to baggage claim area and through customs which like most airports was devoid of people. [2019 NOTE: There was no one in customs when I arrived in Cairo either, and a trip to the UK a few years previously had also had an empty customs counter.]
Finally exited into terminal and then followed signs for the CAT train that runs into the city center. had to go down another level, then found the ticket kiosk. Cost for a one way ticket is 9 Euro. Tried to use cash, but machine does not take 20 Euro bills. Had to use credit card (I had exchanged $200 for 110 Euro after doing passport stop.)
Went down and waited for about 10 minutes for train, then another 10 before train left. Train takes 16 minutes to reach city center. Train was nice and roomy, and so quiet on the straight that could not even feel movement. Only on turns did it make noise and vibrate some.
*Note while waiting for train, repacked pockets and dropped big shark tooth and broke it. Just my luck. Hopefully can glue it back together.*
Arrived at Vien Mitte Station and found way out of station. It was cold outdoors. Pulled jacket from my bags and hat so I was more comfortable. Had picked up small center area map of city and used it to find my way to hotel.
The Royal Hotel was nice. Check in went quick and easy. Room was on 9th floor, the highest with rooms. 10th floor is rooftop restaurant.
Room was very nice, did some unpacking, changed into t-shirt so main shirt could dry out. Got camera out and checked out map.
Headed out and walked around corner. Stephenplatz Cathedral is right behind hotel. Also noticed street was a pedestrian only setup with lots of shops along it.
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| Stephenplatz Cathedral |
Walked all the way to end near an opera house. Walked around it and along main road till near Hofburg. Took photos of statues and buildings. Then went into Volks Park and crossed it.
*Note while near park, was approached by 2 guys selling tickets to an opera, but it was at palace across town and to pricey for me.*
Took photos of more buildings I will have to ID later. Then walked to the Rathausplatz. There was a holiday event going on and I walked through it while photographing building.
*Note while near park, was approached by 2 guys selling tickets to an opera, but it was at palace across town and to pricey for me.*
Took photos of more buildings I will have to ID later. Then walked to the Rathausplatz. There was a holiday event going on and I walked through it while photographing building.
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| Rathaus |
Bought a hot dog for 3 Euro from a vendor to hold me over till dinner. Walked back toward hotel via different streets and saw more buildings, statues and even an old building foundation built in Roman times.
Finally found another street of shops that lead back to hotel. Once there I thought about eating at some pizza place, but decided to wait. Went into shop and bought a t-shirt for 20 Euro as a souvenir.
Then walked back down street of shops watching some of the street artists. Reminds me of London with all the people performing.
Walked for a bit, then went back to hotel to drop off shirt and camera. Went back out to see about pizza place, but decided to go to place on hotel roof. More expensive, but close to room as my knee is really hurting for some reason. Went to room, grabbed this book and went up to roof. Place was a bit to fancy, menu was limited.
Ordered a cream of tomato soup and lamb ravioli. Also had bread/butter and a bottle of mineral water. Chef also gave a gift of a small sample of some new veal dish. It was okay. The soup was good, ravioli was okay. Prices were a bit high, even worse when converted back to USD. But then not sure when I will be back, so might as well enjoy. Will have to see if they have a bar here and try it later this evening. Otherwise will just watch TV or read.
Vienna is nice, would require a whole week on its own to really appreciate it. Will have to plan for that someday.
Fell asleep as soon as I laid down and slept till early in the night.
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