A long river day. The day started out still on the trip down the Danube river. And there was an interesting event. A lock which the ship goes into to have the water level raised so the ship can continue down the river! It took maybe 20 minutes from the time we stopped at the gate to have the water raised, and then be able to continue on!
After some more hours of sailing, we made it to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava in the early afternoon. Bratislava is a beautiful city heavily mixed with Hungarian history, and with a great classical and old time charm on its old streets and with it’s large castle up on top of a hill overlooking the city. We took a guided tour through the old town distract.
Sadly, in terms of Christmas markets, our stop was just a couple days too early, and they were still setting up! In many cities, the Christmas Markets don’t open closer to Thanksgiving in the USA.
On the title of the post: Nie wieder Berlin translates from German to “Never again Berlin”. In the hilariously comical (and extremely inappropriate) movie of Eurotrip, a group of travellers are taking a bus to what they think will be to Berlin, after they misunderstand the driver, who (in German) tells them that he is never again going to Berlin. The group then unwittingly ends up in Bratislava. They pop out of the truck to what looks like a destitute, semi-ruined Communist hellhole Eastern Bloc country. But that is not at all the case! The city is a very pretty and modern city. No collapsed structures to be found! The old town has a pretty city center complete with all kinds of tourist friendly shops and restaurants.
Photo time!
On the Danube River approach to the locks!The wall of the lock inches from the side of the ship. It’s easy to reach out and touch the wall as it rises up the wall! It went up maybe 15 feet, and it only took a few minutes to get to the top.Along the top, making our way out of the lock.A dead river bird caught in a grate. It seemed pretty important to include this picture.Leaving the locks! Freedom!Riverfront of a small section of Bratislava, Slovakia.More of the riverfront with Bratislavský hrad (Bratislava Castle) under the bridge in the background. Unfortunately we did not make it to the castle. We were told there is nothing really up there and that you cannot enter/visit the castle.A neat statue, though I was unable to find out what it represents. The man with the gun has an eyepatch on the other side.A map of the city from the 1700’s.Tree with tents for the market being set up in the town square.Statue of Hans Christian Andersen, who lived in Bratislava for a time. (Author of such works as: The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid and more. With tour guide standing there.The first Carlton hotel in the world opened right here!St. Martins Church, behind a base bricks of a Jewish temple torn down by the Communists.Poster of kidnapped people from on the base of the temple.I believe the oldest pharmacy in Bratislava, from the early 1900’s.Ironically, this is right next to the Scottish Pub.Town hall with tree.Town hall courtyard.Back of townhall courtyard.YAAARRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!! My favorite place of the whole trip so far.More valuable than any doubloons or pieces’o’eight!A goofy statue of a sewer worker, allegedly built after Communism fell, and freedom of artistics works was restored. Rub the ball on the helmet for good luck!The opera house!A neat artwork. Not quite sure whatA team tree-decorating competition.Tea team.Our tree won!
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Because all 3 trees/teams won, and there were no prizes.
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