Schönbrunn Zoo

With the doctor's prescription filled at the Apotheke we jump on a tram to the Zoo.  The reason we originally picked 6km out of the city centre was for the area around the Zoo.  Park like grounds, Palace, Zoo, Palm greenhouse, there is so much going on.

As a family, we generally are always keen on a Zoo. I love the conservation efforts our entry fees go towards, and the general education on how dire things are becoming for a variety of species on earth.  Nothing like a cute fluffy panda to go along with the message of a steep decline in habitats for endangered species.

Three things I never knew I really wanted to see were here, the Arctic Wolf, a Panda, and two Polar Bears.  And to top it off, the claim to fame is that we have been to the World’s oldest Zoo (established in 1752).  I asked the kids their favourite, and it was an impossible task to narrow it down.  Gareth however was definitely in the camp of the Arctic Wolf and Polar Bears.

While we had a bit of a reprieve in Budapest of temperatures around 30 - 33 degrees, its back up in the mid to late thirties in Vienna, and walking without shade is a bit of a strain.  I wonder how the Arctic Wolf and Polar Bear feel in this heat.  The Elephants are loving life being doused by a high pressure hose.  When they have had enough they walk over to the dust pit and cover themselves with dust, giving them a coat of natural sunscreen.  Such intelligent animals.

As it hits 37 degrees, we have done our day at the Zoo and need to get back into some air con and to rest Zach’s arm.  He’s doing remarkably well for a kid with a constant dull pain in his arm who can’t find a comfortable position to sleep at night.

As we head out for dinner, the place we were hoping to go is closed, loads of things especially in eastern parts of Europe close on a Sunday and Monday, we see a restaurant open across the road and bank on eating there instead.  However the waitress was impatient, and rude so after ordering drinks, we asked for the bill to leave.  She was not happy and kept asking why we were no longer going to eat.  She was just angling for a fight I reckon.  Gareth didn’t give her the satisfaction, we wished the table next to us good luck (they had received the same shitty service) and we left for a good old takeaway down the road at 20% of the cost.  Whilst fish and chips is the quintessential kiwi takeaway, wiener schnitzel and pommes is the Austrian version.  Oh and as we found out - always ask if there is a “kinder” version for the kids.  It comes out the same size as the adult service but at kids menu prices.

Looking at the apartment, I can’t bring myself to play packing tetris and decide this will be the first place where we aren’t prepared for travelling the next day.  With the mini pack mule out of action, Kaia has to step up and carry her suitcase.  Finally she says, relishing the new level of responsibility.  By the time we get to the main train station, she’s melting down about having to carry everything, and it's just easier for me to have a backpack and two suitcases, while Gareth now has two backpacks and two suitcases.  Next level in travel unlocked.

We board our 4 hour train ride to Prague, the kids are beyond excited that Uncle Marty and Aunty Drea are already there waiting for them, and at the other end there will be no mucking around with public transport - we are needing the convenience of uber to keep everyone’s sanity in check today.