16.6.15 - Vienna | Hallstatt | Salzburg

Vienna woke up cold and threatening rain. So I didn`t open the car bonnet and went towards Salzburg, via Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut region.
It was the first time I traveled with the car closed and the feeling of comfort is enormous given the good soundproofing. So good that, also for the first time, I had to turn on the radio not to fall asleep.
When I left the highway and even with fog and drizzle that annoying, I began to see what was waiting for me and I decided to convert and leave the Alps enter the car. Literally! My friend André Prata told me that this area was an undiscovered gem in the center of Europe. I didn`t think it was so beautiful.
Virgin forest that descends steeply to Traunsee lake, with some sailboats and a train passing right by the water; like a fairy tale setting.
Come to Hallstatt - a small very typical village in another lake - with colorful houses and a church on the water and another on a waterfall side, I was dumbfounded. So beautiful! There i realize better why a friend, a doctor, study German to be able to go work for the South Tyrol. It must be great to live and work in an environment that inspires so much peace. Then in winter, with snow, it must be breathtaking.
In Hallstatt, for a second day, I was drenched and the return has been done with the roof on.
In the carousel curves that followed, with the wet road, I took party from Quattro. How wonderful that fun, pure adrenaline. That feels so good to get in the corners with the car to slip and when accelerate, he goes where pointed, with the back one little loose. There goes the budget for gasoline ... but if it was not for this, added value have rented a Dacia.
After so much emotion, I came to Salzburg. My hotel is the new side of town, so I went on foot, crossed one of the bridges and I began to see the city from the ground up.
In the commercial area, crowded with Asians who roam the camera and all that bags from Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, I entered the Red Bull World. Among all possible merchandising the Red Bull RB 7 ... from Vettel. Here the athletes are honored because they honored the team and brought titles, even when they go to opposition; sportsman mentality.
Then I saw the cathedral, and the crypt. Salzburg was the ruler and square made, in the light of the sun and moon. Here played Mozart and was obligatory tour of the Emperors and the European Bishopric. What secrets will this city hidden in her stones, making it as important over the centuries ?!
Then it was time to climb to the castle. The funicular demanded 11 euros for the trip. I don´t go to Rainha Gym to pull the physical for when I have to climb a wall, have to pay 11 euros! It was on foot, climbed the stairways all there above; I confess that at the end of the first haul I was already regretting not having paid the 11 euros but was not going to part weak.
Come up there, I won a prize: the right to pay 8 euros to enter the castle. I begged them a plague!
In the castle, in addition to magnificent views, I got to know a little history and the importance of Salzburg over the centuries. Retained a curious date: 1495. At this time the castle had still only been three raises, and many others thereafter. All to defend the hill, a purely warlike perspective.
I thought that at that same time, in Portugal, only thought of building ships and sailors form, based on science, to go discover the world and offer it to Europe. Save Agostinho da Silva.

15.6.15 - Bratislava | Vienna

Bratislava seethed at all, especially in the heat. Even being on the fifth floor of the hostel, noise and high temperatures were able to get me out of bed at seven in the morning.
Yesterday I went to bed late because the Jazz concert was a festival and lasted a long time. Thankfully, it was great!
I got me slowly and went to Vienna. Few kilometers and, therefore, the idea was to go slowly.
If so I thought, better I did: with time change radically in a few kilometers, the sun and the high temperatures gave way to a gray sky and a little inviting 20 ° C. I continued with the roof down but turned the heating TT bank and rolled at low speed not to cause too much movement of air.
Followed by a secondary road beside the Danube, past the Donau-Auen National Park, their rye fields and castles. I had a vision of the Austrian countryside or a romantic view style Steve Mcqueen coming to Le Mans, in the first scene of the film.
Vienna was gray and scoured the city under a heavy rain. Shorts and a windbreaker, I was like a little chicken, as they say in my country.
The city is beautiful, with huge buildings or the Gothic era or the golden years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Opera, the Cathedral and the Parliament buildings give the austere air that is expected of Austria. The Museumsquartier area of ​​Vienna brings all the modernism that is expected of a major European Capital
I had lunch on the market, a restaurant - like many others - among the sellers of various products. Fashion is sushi, which I quite like; but the sea of ​​Vienna did not inspire me confidence and therefore ate Cordon Bleu to follow a few beers.
Tourists from all nations stroll down the street, in a very interesting and multicultural cluster.
Reflection of this is the hostel where I installed: people from all sides in a friendly, central location, with a happy hour very competitive. Hurrey!