The Beginning
First point of business was to sneak out, without the dogs realising. Fortunately we were aided and abetted by Cam, who turned up early and distracted them.
The driver of the shuttle service we use is a great conversationalist, so all we need to contribute is an occasional, ‘uhuh’ or ask about his family.
Once at the airport, the great food odyssey begins… It is so hard to say no to food when you are hungry and excited, especially when it is well presented, and offered to you while you are sitting around. Free champagne and wine on offer, but 10:00am is a bit early – even for me.
First leg on Cathay Pacific – first thing they did was offer another champagne – still too early for me. Then they start on the seemingly never ending supply of delicious food and snacks – think I put on 4kg by the time we got to Hong Kong.
Someone on the flight was very nervous. The pilot made an announcement that this was a non-smoking flight, and if they caught the person who smoked a joint in the toilet, he would divert the plane and have them arrested!
Next leg was Finnair to Helsinki. More food, wine and luscious chocolates.
First problem at Helsinki was the automated passport booths – you just scan your passport and it lets you through – trouble is they don”t work for Australian passports. Finally someone came over and pointed us to a manual booth hidden in the corner.
First impression of Helsinki Airport, flat and windswept with an occasional drizzle. By the time we boarded with what we have come to expect of Finnair’s chaotic procedures. It was snowing. Once seated, there was ice on the window and they brought out a machine to de-ice the wings.
Finally arrived in Vienna and grabbed a cab to our hotel. This ride was the total antithesis of our Sydney ride. Total conversion was ‘About 40 Euro’ when asked the cost, and “Here’s your hotel”.
In between silence, while he texted on his phone.Mind you he did have the largest GPS screen I have ever seen!
We arrived at Hotel Capricornio (Hope it is not the Austrian version of Hotel California) about 3 hours before our due checkin. Then they uttered the most wonderful greeting: “Your room is actually ready if you would like to go up”
Hotel Capricorno in Vienna
