City trip to Vienna

Vienna is an incredible city that offers so much insight into Austrian and European history. I loved my stay there, can’t believe it’s almost two weeks ago, time flies…

I stayed at the hotel “König von Ungarn” which was located at the “Mozarthaus”, where Mozart used to live with his family for three years. Vienna holds highlights for everyone, whether you’re interested in history, culture, food, hiking or wellness.

I loved sitting in the pretty roofed patio of my hotel.

First I stopped by at Schönbrunn Palace, where I took a guided tour through luxurious rooms of past emperors end empresses. It was fascinating and interesting. Afterwards I took a stroll through the huge park up to the Gloriette, where I enjoyed the beautiful view over Vienna. Note that you’re not allowed to take pictures inside the palace.

On my second day I slept in and relaxed a little. Then I went on a walk to the Hundertwasser House, an exceptional piece of architectural art that was designed by the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and was built in 1983-1985.

On my way back to the hotel I stopped by at St. Stephens Cathedral. I had high hopes about it, it is beautifully built especially on the inside, but it’s incredibly crowded and touristy, so the peaceful atmosphere of the church is lost.

  This beautiful flower shop is pretty much around the corner of St. Stephens Cathedral.

On my last day visited the Sisi museum at the Hofburg in Vienna and paced through the gorgeous imperial apartments, learned a lot about the household and life at court, especially about empress Elisabeth’s (often referred to as Sisi) life and struggles being an empress, I was fascinated. I suggest to take an audio guided tour, which allows you more flexibility than a person-guided tour. As at the Schönbrunn Palace, you aren’t allowed to take pictures here either.

Then I was on my way to the Austrian National Library. I loved this place with its valuable collection of ancient books that used to be read by aristocratic regents of past times. Look at the outstanding architecture.

After visiting the Austrian National Library, I went to the Sacher Café, to eat a delicious piece of the world famous Sacher cake. It made for the best goodbye before heading to the airport to fly back home.

Tofino and Ucluelet

On the 18^th of July I drove up to Tofino, passed beautiful and wild landscapes and gorgeous lakes. I stayed in a nice motel for two nights.

I stopped by at Kennedy Lake.

The next day I went whale watching in the morning, it was fascinating seeing these giants of the ocean. We saw humpback whales and grey whales, sea otters and sea lions.

A humpback whale breathing.

Sea lions taking a sun bath.

I happened to meet two nice swiss girls on the boat, Manuela and Annina. They’re from Bern, my favorite city in Switzerland, Can you believe that, sometimes it’s a small world.

But the best part of the day was, when I saw a bear. That was definitely the highlight. I already saw two on my trip, but I never came this close. I’m glad I was sitting in my car, so I was safe, the bear was only about 4 meters away from me, feeding. I felt pretty excited seeing an animal, we only get to see in a zoo here in Switzerland, free in wild nature. Wow.I watched the bear for a few seconds and then we both went our ways.

I drove to Ucluelet and stopped by at Terrace beach.

And also saw MacKenzie Beach in Tofino.

  

Close to where I stayed in Tofino.

Ucluelet.

This was the last post about my epic road trip. I am incredibly grateful for the amazing time I had, for all the nice people I met along my journey, for all the beautiful places I’ve seen and for all the memories I made. I am thankful for everyone who helped me make this trip possible, each in their own way. I am thankful for what I’ve learned, for the challenges that I had to face. Travelling alone is an experience I wouldn’t want to miss, it’s good to spend time on your own sometimes, it teaches you of what you are capable of, it helps you to know what you want and need. I know, very philosophic, but it’s just the way I feel about it.

Last but not least a huge thank you to everyone who followed me on my journey through my blog, I really had fun putting it up. I sure will let you know about upcoming trips, already have so many ideas running on my mind. I’m excited what the future will bring, I trust, that good things are ahead, I love the saying, “The best is yet to come”. I will post on Instagram on a regular basis, but For now I will say goodbye for a while when it comes to blogging…

Beautiful Victoria, Vancouver Island

I arrived back in Switzerland yesterday at noon. Managed to stay awake till 5 p.m., fell asleep and am wide awake now, at 4 a.m. due to jetlag, writing my second last post of this trip.

After saying goodbye to Salome, I headed to Tsawwassen to catch the ferry to Swartz Bay and then drove to Victoria on Vancouver Island. I did this trip already three years ago and was really excited to be there again. The ferry ride was as beautiful as I remembered it.

Crossing another ferry in between beautiful and wild Islands.

I checked in at a hostel in Victoria, in which I was supposed to stay for two nights, but I cancelled after one night, because I have slept so badly, due to extremely loud noises from the ventilators in our room and the street, since we had to keep the windows open all night, otherwise it would have been too sticky and hot in our bedroom with six people. I’ve been extremely and unusually exhausted the past few days of my trip, so I just wanted more privacy and a much needed good sleep. I found a really nice hotel in Victoria, close to the harbor and the beautiful parliament building.

Actually I booked hostels for the rest of my trip on Vancouver Island, but cancelled it all and booked hotels instead. It’s not, that I don’t like staying at hostels, in fact, I stayed at really nice and good hostels throughout my trip and loved it, but since I didn’t feel very well, I figured it would be the best to get some peace and rest in a hotel room of my own. Also all the private rooms of these hostels were fully booked unfortunately.

I’ve seen so many beautiful things on Vancouver Island, like the Butchart Gardens, located in Brentwood Bay near Victoria. It was layed out in 1904 and remained a family business until today.

The Rose Garden.

The Sunken Garden.

^

I went places, that I already visited those three years ago and was pleased to see again. Like the creative and colorful house boats at Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria.

Of course I had to get me the best Fish and Chips at Red Fish Blue Fish at the inner harbor in Victoria. There is always a long queue, because it pretty popular around town. It was totally worth the 40 minute wait.

Since I am a sentimental person and a sucker for traditions, of course I drove out to Kitty Islet to eat my fish and chips there, as I did the last time with a friend of mine. I just love the good feelings that come up with good memories you made once.

I drove back to the city and went to see the parliament building.

Then I drove to Mount Douglas to enjoy the evening mood and hoped to see the sunset shining through the clouds, but I didn’t have luck, but the views were gorgeous anyway.

As I came back to the city I happened to see the beautiful city lights, I missed to see those the last time I visited, so I really enjoyed walking the streets to the parliament building and back to my hotel.