Travels in Austria and Croatia (Pics later maybe)

Dobar dan! (Hello)

After flying from Vancouver to London (which was insane as we traveled first class due to frequent flier miles, I got a 3 course meal, champagne, wine, pajamas, slippers, movies, a ‘seat’ that turns into a bed fit for all 6 feet 2 inches of me), London to Vienna, we spent one evening and one morning exploring Vienna. It was rather cloudy (and somewhat cold), but still comfortable. We spent a fair amount of time orienting ourselves, taking trains and subways, and walking to our place. It is always an adventure with my family to find our hotel, pension, or apartment.
Our first night we had an Italian evening (Pizza and Gelato) as we were not feeling adventurous nor comfortable enough with our phrase book German to navigate Viennese menus. We stayed at a small pension, (picture) that was somewhat removed from the bustle of the city, but definitely close enough to walk from one end to the other (of the old town). We spent the night wandering the main street that was well maintained and contained very high class shopping (Rolex, Dolce and Gabanna, Versaci etc). Vienna is fashionable!
Our second day we woke up relatively early and took the fast and efficient light rail around the outside of the old city. It was interesting to see such a new feeling old city, as brand new streets and buildings stand directly next to well maintained, but very old buildings from Vienna’s past. Mumsie and Dad went to the Opera house to take a tour, but JP and I elected to explore the old Imperial Palace. It was very impressive, and hand many very cool corroding copper statues and roofs. It was not hard to imagine the area in its hayday. We walked around somemore and where disappointed when someone immediately pegged us for English speakers asking if we wanted to see a concert (maybe it was my t-shit, or our general air, but my theory is that it was our shorts, which are much longer in fact than those that the average Euro male seems to wear). We walked across the city, grabbed our luggage and took a taxi to the airport.
I was able to check facebook (lame), check my email, and get the latest mariners score on my iPod touch (which is awesome!) in the airport and before I knew it we were flying our way out of Austria and down to the Balkan peninsula.
We arrived in Split, Croatia at around 4 or so, bused into the city and took roughly 45 minutes to find our place (a VERY good time by our standards). Villa Ana was very nice, only 5 rroms, and Rick Steeves favorite place in Split, plus they had air conditioning (SCORE). We walked around the city heading over to the old town where there are winding alleys, an old roman palace, and just very picturesque walking. We explored a bit, walked on the waterfront, and eventually found a place to eat. After eating, and drinking .5 L of local beer (because my Dad thought he was ordering 1 big one for us to share, but instead got 2 big one). We walked along the waterfront again, there were people EVERYWHERE and it was great people watching. However, still tired from the time difference I suspect we went back to the room and were asleep by 10:30.
This moring we again walked to city through a huge market (with all sorts of produce), through a fish market (video=, pictures). Purchased my Croatian soccer jersey that I have been so pumped about, and then caught a ferry to an island. I am currently on said ferry as it is about 2 hours and 45 minutes long. Periodically we pass little cities on the ocean, which are spectacular with their orange roofs and white walls.. All in aqll the Adriatic is very cool, and there are sail boats abound. Croatia has been very enjoyable so far and is quite spectacular.

Sorry this is so long, but as the first blog entry I feel as though I am a little more excited to be writing then I will be in 2 weeks, but we will see!

Bog! (Good-Bye)