Flowers of Vienna
Let’s start our talk about Vienna by virtually smelling her flowers:
Muscaris or grape hyacinths
The white blossomed plant above is all over Vienna the two days I was there. I found out its significance later…..it is used as “palm” for the Palm Sunday commemmoration (as opposed to the olive branches we use in France).
Tulips!
Hydrangeas and hyacinths
Vienna is UTOPIA!
It’s clean. Everything is mechanized or computerized. Their infrastructure is excellent and they are excavating yet more land to extend their UBahn, tram and rail network! They have rubbish bins every 2 meters, recycle bins every 5. It’s a wealthy city, people are chic, which I must advise you to dress smart when you get there so you don’t feel out of place. The architecture range from the classic to the modern. There is obviously a trend of experimental architecture here. It’s a must-visit for architecture students. Their patisserie is great, too!
Colours of Vienna
Colours. I can only guess that there was a law passed few years ago to turn Vienna into a colourful city. The pinks, the greens, the oranges, the yellows are very prominent in people’s clothes, in the colour of buildings, in the colour of trucks, in every packaging, in babies’ prams. And speaking of prams, it’s like there is a fashion show for prams.
People in Vienna
It’s mainly Indians who sell magazines on the street. Never have I venerated Indians as much as in Vienna, for they were the only ones who can speak English like it is their mother tongue, and you can always rely on them to help you in finding your way. Majority of Austrians don’t speak English so forget about asking them “Where am I?”
Left: An attendant of the Toilet Museum of Modern Art
Out for a smoke (and a phone call)
Statues of Vienna
oooppsss…. that’s a mimic artist, not a statue!
An unusual sculpture of Bruno Gironcolli at the U.N. complex
This sculpture is about to get out of the fountain!
New market square
Posters in Vienna
Souvenir-shopping in Vienna
Shopping in Vienna
Of all the cities I’ve been to, I can say that Vienna is THE PLACE FOR LUXURY SHOPPING! I didn’t have the luxury of shopping, but I truly enjoyed window-shopping (and photo-taking!)
Here are my shots…… get ready …… and if you have a weak heart, I hold no responsibility in causing any cardiac discomfort, hehehe!!
Maddy advertising for Louis Vuitton
Watched a concert on my first night at St Peter’s church. 
A beautiful Baroque church!
Epilogue:
It’s nice to be able to see Vienna but ive seen all those palatial architecture in Budapest and Paris. It’s more the way of living that is different. In Vienna, people are more disciplined and sticking to the rules whereas in Budapest, you feel relaxed already as soon as you get off the train in Keleti.I got a cheap deal offered in Budapest. For 4 days stay in Vienna, it’s 29 euros return (Budapest-Vienna) + free public transport up to zone 1öö. Add the cost of my hostel 49euros for 3 nights - a room with 6-beds sharing. I thought I have to try this and it’s ok. The ladies, all students i was in staying with, were ok and decent. Free breakfast too. The hostel is set up a hill amidst green grounds and easy access to the UBahn.
My hostel in Vienna
The grassy ground of my hostel in Vienna is blooming with primroses.
all in all..i spent 8Ö euros + 5Ö (for food, misc) during my 3 night stay in Vienna, eating on shawarma, pizza, feasting on their beautiful patisserie and coffee. 
Belvedere Palace
This Baroque palace was built by Prince Eugene of Savoy (France). After getting kicked out by King Louis IV of France, he went to Austria and transferred his loyalty to the Hapsburg Monarchy. This palace now houses the paintings of Gustav Klimt and others.
On the side of the Belvedere Palace is a huge garden open to the public. These “cacti ” are actually sculpted stones. Almost real!
