This is the 2nd part of my travel to Alpine Countries for Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #27: My Travels.
Continue from my previous post…
While we were in Vienna, we took a short trip to Bratislava.
Bratislava
(Bratislava Castle)
Wait a second; I knew this place. We were here in 2017 during our Danube river cruise trip. Do I have to see it again?
Revisiting was a good thing, it turned out — we took better photos this time.
Every restaurant should have a board like this!
“I want that ice cream,” I said to Wei.
Piber
Piber was next. We visited Lipizzaner Stallion Stud Farm.
“Meditating?” I asked the lady who worked there.
Am I the only one who didn’t know this is how horses sleep?
St. Viet
Before arriving at Hotel St. Viet, our tour guide told us it has a very unique look. He wasn’t kidding.
(Hotel St. Viet)
We arrived around 3 O’clock. I asked Wei if he would like to walk around before dinner. He said, “NO!” He sounded angry, as if I was the reason he hadn’t seen any mountain.
“FINE!” I said; I grabbed my camera and stormed out.
The moment I stepped outside of the hotel, I felt calm, peaceful and very happy (I don’t know how to describe the feeling – it was deeper than happy; it was quite comforting and satisfying.) I was ALONE! It’s only me and the universe! No tour guide, no other tourist, Wei was not by my side…
That’s when I realized how much I had missed my personal space. Wei missed his too, I was certain. You see, at home we each have our own room. Wait… we each have our own floor! Wei spends most of his time downstairs in his office or watching TV; I spend most of mine upstairs in front of my PC. And now we had 20+ others chatting, laughing around us for 6, 7, hours during the day, and at night, he and I had to share a small room.
Don’t get me wrong. I love meeting people. I am just saying how much that alone-time was welcomed and treasured, and probably needed. Sure enough, after having some alone-time, we were both in a much better mood and, apparently, had more energy.
I walked to the old town near our hotel, remembering the first time when I heard “old town”, I had a picture in my head of how “old town” was supposed to look, and was surprised at that the old-town didn’t look old enough. I knew better now.
It was Sunday; most stores were closed. Nice and quiet 😉
(Old town)
Another day without seeing a mountain. Time to put on a poker face.
Lienz
Finally, finally, finally… on the 7th day, we saw mountains in distance when we arrived at Lienz. (Maybe we should put on a poker face earlier?)
I think I had tears in my eyes (It’s been a while…) “Let’s move here,” I said quietly.
“Do you know how many places you said you wanted to move to?” Wei said.
This is part 2 of our trip. Part 3 will be the last, I hope.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
HHC Blog 
Helen–I had to laugh at your ‘meditating’ comment. I didn’t know horses slept standing up, either. Personal space….I so know what you mean. I know I need mine. The mountains are beautiful! I am so happy you finally saw them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Lois. I was very confused. Those horses looked as if they were under a spell 😉
This is one of my favorite trips. If we can cut the front the back, only leaves the mountain part, it would be perfect. Ha.
Good night.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hihihiih, this post is full of hilarity. 😀 😀 Can’t wait for the third part!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Manja. Finally finished writing about the trip, now I can reply comments. Ha. Thank you so much for your support!
Have a wonderful evening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow… the mountains! Great photos and stories. I agree on personal space. When travel, we always have a half day here and there to be “alone”. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Amy. It is a great idea that when travel, always have a half day here and there to be alone! I have never thought of that, but from now on, I will do it. Thanks.
Have a wonderful evening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful mountains…and personal space – need both!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Anne-Christine . Yes, we need both. Ha.
Have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So funny! And the face of the boy with the ice cream says everything he is thinking.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Anabel. I wish I could give the photo to him 20 years later… Ha.
Have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m the same, love few minutes of solitude to reset my thoughts and enjoy things my own way! Glad you had some for yourself. Beautiful hotel, curious to see how it was inside! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Elizabeth. The hotel room is a little old, but the lobby looks pretty good 😉
Good night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have the same experience when seeing the Pyrenees for the first time from afar. Mind you, when I was almost stuck overnight on one of them with the weather changing for the worst, I didn’t feel so positive!
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL… And I thought you are one of the bravest guys in the world 😉
Have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great travel shots Helen. I had been to Vienna and Bratislava. Beautiful cities.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Rupali. They are beautiful cities. It was my own fault, actually. For some reason, I thought we would go straight to the mountain and stay there for at least a week 😉 Oh well, next time I will read the itinerary.
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂 But you inspired me to plan trip to the mountains.
LikeLike
Love the story and the mountain. Plenty of space between you and Wei, his and hers mountain peak. Have a grand day, Helen.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Perpetua. You were right… standing in front of those mountains, I could only see mountains and me 😉
Have a wonderful evening.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great captures Helen!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Paulo. Those mountains are beautiful. Worth checking it out 😉
Good night.
LikeLiked by 2 people
did you find Napoleon in Bratislava?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hmm… I didn’t. I wonder why… I should talk to you before I went 😉
Good night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got a kick out of following your mountain quest over these two days!!! Also, the need for alone-time grows as I age, yet I am terrified of being really old and really alone. My husband and I (our second marriages) met when we were both 57, and had our own houses. So, you have separate rooms, but we have separate houses!!! We are planning a trip and I am concerned about being together 24/7. PS I didn’t know horses slept standing up either!
LikeLiked by 2 people
>> … but we have separate houses!!!
Ha ha ha… I had thought about that, but we couldn’t afford two houses. We entertained with an idea of buying two townhouses next to each other at one time, but it was just a fun thought.
>> I am terrified of being really old and really alone.
We all are. But we are creative people; I am sure we will figure out something. Ha.
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so enjoyed this post … I too love meeting people but I also need my space 🙂 Super pics Helen
LikeLiked by 1 person