We had another early start (6:45 AM) as we boarded the bus to go to the our next country…Slovakia.  We traveled for what was suppose to be 2.5 hours.  However, we had to do it in three hours as Slovakia customs decided it needed to take 35 minutes to give us an old-school road toll monitor.  On the plus side, it made us miss Macau’s efficiency.

Once in Slovakia, we only had a short way to go to get to Bratislava.  We drove up to the castle and had a speed race to get off the bus at quickly as possible to make up for lost time.  We managed to gain back 36 seconds.  This was only to be a short stop to see the castle and the view over the river and take a group photo.  So we ‘ran’ up, saw, appreciated, took the photo and ‘hurried’ back on the bus, which was stopped in the middle of traffic waiting for us!  We learned that speed walking is not part of the curriculum.  Having spent all that energy we went for lunch and had a fancy meal of brie cheese, cranberries, and salad at the Bratislava Flagship Restaurant.

From here, with our reclaimed 36 seconds, we had free time to explore the old town.  Some kids went shopping.  Some went to the (Mc)cafes.  Others looked for the statues of the famous town residents.  And then it was time to get back onto the bus and go to country number three for the trip.

Another short drive to the border and we got to once more experience the Solvakian counterpoint to the famed German efficiency.  It was alright as most were taking the opportunity to get some rest.  And then, we were in Austria heading to our third capital city, Vienna.  Our destination for the afternoon was the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace.  We saw 40 of the many rooms of this former imperial palace.  We then explored the massive grounds and Easter market until sundown.  Then it was off for dinner in a small town on the outskirts of the city for a traditional Austrian dinner of schnitzel, potatoes, and two strudels: apple and cheese.  Finally we reached our hotel for some much needed sleep.