On 1/13, we went on a day trip to Bratislava with Toli's parents. Bratislava is the capital of the Slovenskej republiky (Slovakia), and it's just a couple of hours by bus from Vienna, Austria. We were already tired from our hyper-active tourism in Vienna, the day was gloomy and cold, and Bratislava was just a big unknown, so we weren't that motivated to go. Yet we did, and enjoyed seeing a former Eastern European city in the process of beautification: old buildings being remodeled, tourist shops gathering steam, and the 'new' Russian-style apartment buildings promptly ignored in all postcards; strictly speaking, they are in a separate town, Petržalka, which just happens to be right across the Dunaj (Danube) river... sounds like an Enron subsidiary created to hide bad investments to Toli.

Anyway, we were quite tired on the bus coming back. To cap off a tiring day, the bus broke down and so we were stranded in the middle of the highway until the next one came by (but the bus' heater was working and we were pretty snug and warm while waiting). Ah well, we got back to Hotel Regina safe and sound, and with some new impressions in our mind. Toli in particular had an "aha" moment when looking at Petržalka: he realized that the basic pattern of all cities is the same (just many people together in close proximity), and that's the core reason he prefers the countryside.

Staré Mesto (old town)
They don't like Bush in Bratislava either.

Staré Mesto
Christine and Toli in front of the kostol Klarisiek (Klarisky church). The Bratislavský hrad (Bratislava castle) is in the background. The church was originally built at the beginning of the 14th century, but it is presently a classical music concert hall.

Staré Mesto
Christine and Toli in front of the kostol Klarisiek. The Bratislavský hrad is in the background.

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (which we dubbed Legoland). (First panorama.)

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (first panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (first panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (first panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka: the blotch near the center is a rain drop (second panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (second panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (second panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (second panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (second panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (second panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (third panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (third panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (third panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (third panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (third panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (fourth panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Dunaj and Petržalka (fourth panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
Let me out! Christine cries as we close the gate behind her on the way down from the castle.

Bratislavský hrad
The Staré Mesto and Nové Mesto (new town) in the background (panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Staré Mesto and Nové Mesto in the background (panorama).

Bratislavský hrad
The Staré Mesto and Nové Mesto in the background (panorama).

Hlavné námestie (main square)
Christine and Toli with the statue of a Napoleonic soldier.

Hlavné námestie
Toli has his way with the soldier, Greek-style. The Greek Embassy, by the way, is located in the same square, in the same direction Toli is facing.

Roland Caffe (Roland Cafe), Hlavné námestie
May, Nikolas, and Christine take a break in a cafe for dessert and hot chocolate.