Day at the Zoo

We went to Vienna yesterday with Kája's friends Hana and Alena.

After the 90 minute train to Austria we started the day at Aïda, my favourite Vienna coffee and cake shop.   

Then it was off to a day at the zoo.  Of course I had to check out the the pandas, koalas and penguins.

The pandas, because they are my goddaughter Tünde's favourite.

A few years ago I told Tünde that the English word for "penguin" was "snow chicken."  She knows the real word now but we still call them "snow chickens."

Brno Zoo Turns 70

This year the Brno Zoo turns 70 years old.  To help mark the anniversary the zoo has issued a new tourist stamp - number 2766.

I have to admit that it's been a while since the last time I went to the Brno Zoo.  It's going on eight years.  Maybe I'll have to check out this year to see what, if anything, has changed since the last time I was there.

Here's a short video I found out on YouTube but it's only in Czech, without subtitles.

©Info TV Brno

Weekend in Geneva, Switzerland

After our day trip to Ferney-Voltaire we spent the rest of the weekend wandering around Geneva. 

Tünde wanted to ride the water taxi so we did a couple of laps across Lake Geneva. 

We also stopped by to see the Marronnier de la Treille which is the world's longest bench.  It was built in 1767 the 180 wooden boards measure 120 meters (413 feet) in length.

Of course we had to have fondue for dinner and Natalie knew a great place at Bains des Pâquis.  Fondue is always fun and this was so good.

On Sunday morning we visited Bois de la Bâtie which is city's largest zoo and Tünde enjoyed seeing all of the animals.

My flight back to Vienna was in the afternoon so I left the ladies at the train station and made my way to the airport.  I had a window seat and had a great view of the French Alps.  

At least I think these are the French Alps.  Maybe it's Switzerland but I'm pretty sure it's France.  

Either way, it was great spending time with the Chicas.

Blue Mountains and Featherdale Wildlife Park Tour, Australia

Australia's Blue Mountains are in New South Wales.  The foothills are about 50 km (31 miles) west of Sydney.  The Greater Blue Mountains Area is about 10,000 km² (3900 sq miles) and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Our group tour began with a stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park.  The park opened in 1972.  With over 1700 animals from more than 250 species, the park is home to the country's largest collection of native animals.

Every state in Australia has its own rules about koalas.  In New South Wales it is illegal to hold a Koala without the proper accreditation.

Most places don't let you touch them at all.  At the park, you are allowed to take a photo while touching the koala's lower body.  I hear that in Queensland you can hold a koala during a photo which last about 30 seconds.  

There are plenty of kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, emus, dingos, lots of snakes, and the crocodile.  Unfortunately, the Tasmanian devils weren't out while we were there.  Australia is home to some pretty dangerous wild animals.

Then it was on to Scenic World Blue Mountains which is about 100 km (62 miles) from Sydney.  Aside from great views of the mountains, there are a number of nature walks, a scenic railway, a skyway, and a cable way.

Panoramic view of Jamison Valley

The Three Sisters rock formations are are one of the best known landmarks.  They are named Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo.

There are plenty of walkways to explore and several waterfalls.  Even a bit of rain didn't spoil the views.

The Skyway was is a cable-driven cabin that takes about 70 people across the gorge.  Part of the raised floor inside the cabin is goes transparent during the ride so you can really appreciate how high up you are.



Spectacular views, waterfalls, and I got to touch a koala...definitely an awesome day trip!

Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg was established in 1886 after gold was discovered there.  The city is also known as Joburg, Jozi, and Egoli.  It is home to 4,34 million people, with +7,86 million people in the greater metro area, making it the biggest city in South Africa.

Johannesburg started off as a small village in 1886.  The population expanded rapidly after gold was discovered nearby.  It became a city in 1928 and in 2002 it joined with other municipalities to become the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality.



The Central Business District is the densest collection of skyscrapers in Africa.  It's not the safest area there is.  Many of the buildings are unoccupied or have been taken over by squatters.  Efforts have been made to turn the area around.  The general rule is to get out of the area before it gets dark.

The Maboneng District is on the southwest side of the CBD.  It's the artsy, groovy, hipster area and it's one of the few successfully rejuvenated areas of town.


The Hillbrow Tower is a 270 metres (886 feet) tall telecommunications tower that was built in 1971.    Until 1978, it was the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere.  The rotating restaurant at the top closed in 1981 because of security concerns in the local area.


The Brixton Tower opened in 1962.  It is 237 metres (778 feet) tall and was built as a radio and television tower even though public television didn't start until well after a decade from the tower's opening.

Ponte City was built in 1975.  At a height of 173 metres (568 feet), it is the tallest residential building in Joburg.  It was once a posh place to live until the crime rate soared in the late 1980s and gangs moved into the building in the 1990s.  The building's core filled with rubbish that was five storeys high.  There have been significant efforts to clean up the area.

©Vocativ

The Carlton Centre is a 50 floor skyscraper and shopping centre.  It is 223 metres (732 feet) and since 1973 is has been the tallest office building in Africa.  On the 50th floor is the Top of Africa with great views of the city.

Although Joburg isn't one of the country's three capital cities, it is the seat of the Constitutional Court located at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein.  Next to the court is the Old Fort Prison complex where both Ghandi and Mandela served time.

Government Square was renamed Mahatma Ghandi Square when the square was refurbished in 2002.  Ghandi lived in Johannesburg, as a young lawyer, from 1903 to 1913.

There's a 6 metre (20 feet) tall bronze statue of Nelson Mandela at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton.  The statue was erected in 2004 on the 10th anniversary of the country's first democratic elections.  The statue stands in front of the largest retail complex in Africa.

Soweto, "South-Western Township", was a separate city from the late 1970s.  Located on the outskirts of Johannesburg, this is where blacks lived during Apartheid. 

The Soweto Uprising, on 16 June 1976, was a mass protest against the government's policy requiring education to only be in Afrikaans.  This was the world's first glimpse of life under Apartheid and let to countries imposing economic sanctions against South Africa.

The Hector Pieterson Museum opened in 2002 and was one of the first museums in Soweto.  It is dedicated to the events before and after the Soweto Uprising.

The Orlando Power Station was decommissioned in 1998.  The coal-fired power station provided power to the white residents of Johannesburg while the residual pollution remained in Soweto.  Today the towers are used by advertisers and the towers are a popular place for bungee jumping.

Mandela House, officially the Nelson Mandela National Museum, is the house he lived in from 1946 to 1962.  The house was built in 1945 and it was declared a National Heritage Site in 1999.  

The Tutu House is the family home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.  The house is not open to the public.

Both houses are on Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world where two Nobel Laureate have lived.

FNB Stadium is also known as Soccer City.  It is also called the Calabash because it resembles the traditional African pot.  It originally opened in 1989 and it was renovated in 2009 in order to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.  Unlike many of the football stadiums built for the 2010 World Cup, this stadium is still actively used.

The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001.  The whole focus is 20th century South Africa.  

Under Apartheid, all individuals were classified as "white", "native", "coloured" or "Asian".  All visitors to the museum are randomly assigned a race and then you enter the museum through the appropriate entrance.

The Lion Park is a 600 hectare (1483 acre) wilderness reserve.  

It makes for a great mini safari and an opportunity to see lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and wild dogs.  There's also the opportunity to pet a cheetah and a lion cubs.

A Day at the Zoo

I got to spend some godfather time with Tünde at the zoo today.  I can't remember the last time I was there.  Apparently there was some renovations done in the last couple of years.

Claudia and I took Tünde and we meet up with a few friends and their kids.

The meerkats, giraffes and chimpanzees seemed to be the biggest hits with the kids.