Category: 365 Days of Summer

Not too bad!

Florian1 Comment

On the way to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales, the police was blocking the road. When opening the window Amelia started the conversation with a for Australians usual “How do you do?”. “Not too bad …” the policeman responded before telling us that if we only go to the Zoo we could still go ahead.

Although it was not a very deep conversation of course, I very much enjoyed the exchange of polite words and interest in the other person. It occurred to me that I never have experienced something similar in Austria. Neither would I ever come up with the idea of asking in such a situation. I very much liked it.

About the wildlife park: taking the bike to discover the animals in huge areas roaming (almost) freely around, combined with very informative animal talks it was a great experience. Happy the hippo showed off with his big teeth during a spray of high pressure water in his mouth (which it enjoyed very much). The tiger demonstrated its skills on climbing a 5 meter pole to get some kangaroo meat and also seeing a herd of giraffes during feeding time was very impressive.

I assume due to constraints of space you wouldn’t find a similar setup in Europe. So if you like zoos and you are coming to Down Under it is definitely worth a visit. Furthermore, there are also some great people living here 😉

Heide II

Florian

As part of the Heide Museum of Modern Art (Short: Heide) the house Heide II was the residence of the Reed couple, two well known Australian art patrons, from 1967 onward for some years. Already build with the intention to be a gallery, the building is a fantastic place to visit if you are interested in modern art and architecture. The museum is located in the greater Melbourne area. Further impressions and information:

A warm Welcome

Florian3 Comments

Expecting to fly into summer I was quite surprised to experience temperatures around 14 degrees Celsius, when I landed in Melbourne. However, this unexpected weather conditions were more than compensated by the warm welcome of the Dobson and the English family in Australia.

After spending the weekend in Inverloch, a beautiful beach town 1 ½ hours southwest of Melbourne, we went to the opening day of the Australian Open. Unfortunately the Austrians weren’t too successful, but it was great fun to experience a great atmosphere as well as the excitement of the host country caused by the match between Australian Bernard Tomic and Spanish Fernando Verdasco.

The last days I was exploring Melbourne down town and also meeting again with Lisi, a colleague from school, after about 15 years. I definitely understand why the city was rated as one of the best places to live, exchanging ranks every now and then with another one I like quite a bit: Vienna 😉

Melbourne, claiming itself to be Australia’s capital of street art, which definitely causes very strong arguments between the art community and homeowners, also displays some works by the impressive British artist Banksy. I still haven’t seen any, but I’ll be out there to find them …

Fish and Chips

Florian1 Comment

Now four days in London, in total three major European cities in two weeks. Interesting how different they smell and sound. Madrid with a constant humming of smaller size cars, a lot of narrow streets echo the quickly pressed horns. Stop and go. A lot of people on the street. Berlin is cold. Wide avenues allow the wind to get into each and every corner. Also the pitch is higher, less vibrant maybe, less echo. London, again different. Bigger cars with deeper voices, the sound is coming from the wrong direction.

After recovering from a very short last night in Berlin, I used the stay in the capital of the Common Wealth to visit some exhibitions. But definitely the highlight was the answer to the questions how to get ice cream, potato chips and (green) Converse together in one location? Well, if you are in England it is easy. You just go to a classical concert. In celebration of the Danish presidency of the European Union the Danish String Quartet performed in Cadogan Hall and I had the luck to accompany Karen there. I put on the best cloth I had available and it was a wonderful evening, rounded off by a visit to a delicious Indian restaurant called Rasoi.

Next stop: Berlin

Florian

After the days in Madrid, it felt a little bit like going home when I came to Berlin. German speaking people, definitely less exotic and cold, unfriendly weather 😉 Staying with Hanna, also Franziska and Birgit were in the town.

One highlight here for me was again C/O Berlin. The photo gallery is located in the imperial post office (Kaiserliches Postfuhramt) and is currently presenting a great combination of two exhibitions. On the ground floor there is a selection of prints from Ron Galella, the nick named “Paparazzo Extraordinaire”. You can doubt the level of reservation of such a photographer, however the photos are combining great craftsmanship with the flavor of the shiny world. In strong contrast the exhibition from Gundula Schulze Eldowy on the first floor is showing insights into Berlin from 1977 to 1990. Very strong and personal photos about people and there life in the eastern part of the town during this time.

Exchange Rates

Florian

Looking at the exchange rates, one notes that it is quite handy that it is not necessary to think about them too often anymore. Rates are indicated in EUR vs. foreign currency:

Country Currency 6.1.2012
EUR Zone EUR 1.00
Great Britain GBP 0.82
Australia AUD 1.25
New Zealand NZD 1.64
Japan JPY 98.72
U.S.A. USD 1.28
Brasil BRL 2.36

Let the journey begin!

Florian2 Comments

Fare Well PartyOn December 28, after some weeks of preparation, I finally stepped on the plane, heading for Madrid. The last days in Vienna were definitely the most difficult ones. Saying goodbye to so many people and leaving behind my home, where I lived for the last seven years was a hard one. But here in Madrid I’m also coming back to places which hold quite a few good memories, so it is a good start. If you are depressed by classical Viennese winter weather, visit the highest capital of Europe to enjoy some cold, sunny days, with perfect blue skies. Combined with the people you’ll meet here and the Croquetas you’ll lighten up for sure 😉

All the best for 2012 and enjoy the New Year’s Night!

Visa requirements

Florian

Looking through the list of countries I’m visiting, the following prerequisites for people with an Austrian citizenship apply to enter:

  • Spain, Germany, Great Britain: No requirements
  • Australia: Up to three month a electronic visa application is need (Tourist (e676) Visa). For longer stays or multiple entries a full visa has to be requested.
  • New Zealand: Up to three month no formal requirements with an Austrian citizenship (Immigration New Zealand)
  • Japan: Up to six month no formal requirements with an Austrian citizenship to enter the country. Nevertheless after 90 days a prolongation of the stay has the be requested with the local immigration office (Japanese Embassy, Vienna)
  • U.S.A: Up to 90 days only an electronic application with the The Visa Waiver Program is necessary.
  • Brazil: Up to 90 days no formal requirements

A very helpful site to find information about visa requirements is hosted by the Austrian Foreign Ministry. See detail lists for representations and embassies (German only).

I could never be a globetrotter

Florian

… I have traveled a good deal, though I don’t really know how to travel. I like to take my time about it, leaving between one country and the next an interval in which to digest what I’ve seen. Once I had arrived in a new country, I feel almost like settling down there, so as to live on proper terms with the country. I could never be a globetrotter …

(The decisive Moment, 1952, Henri Cartier-Bresson)

I discovered this quote in the very interesting exhibition “Der Kompass im Auge” currently on display in Kunsthaus Wien.  It kind of fits for me 😉