Rewind to Austria!

After an incredibly relaxing time on the island Hvar in Croatia, we were then to be picked up by Ryman's other uncle, Hubert. But upon arriving at the main port, we again had to go on an awkward wild goose chase trying to find Ryman's uncle with neither knowing what each other looked like and no cell phone.

It's always kind of odd going up to people and saying "um are you Hubert?" but finally, we sat down to have coffee and I saw a man just outside and said "hey Ryman, I think that could be him." So Ryman went outside and passed him, staring at him, then went back and forth passing in front of him until I saw out of the glass them awkwardly talking to each other and then all of a sudden shaking hands and laughing...it was like watching a silly silent film--ah we found him.

We then spent the next few days up at his mountain house in Styria. The mountains of Austria were absolutely beautiful and it was really great spending time with a lot of Ryman's extended family.

Beautiful Styria, Austria 

King of the Austrian Mountains--Hubert 

Ryman and his Uncle and Cousins "hiking"

Then off to Vienna!

Vienna is an absolutely wonderful city that we would both love to go back to--and we are definitely not city people. The city is incredibly clean, safe, uncrowded, and offers a lot of beautiful things to do and see.
We hit up the Natural history museum first, which was AWESOME . . . I must have taken over 200 photos of just rocks, they were pretty freakn amazing . . . or maybe i'm just a huge dork who might or might not use to have a rock collection . . .

One of the beautifully preserved animals..Ryman's favorite ;)...he actually had to rush out of the snake section because he felt like throwing up

Some of the most beautiful rocks and pounds of gold

My favorite! It's like a futuristic ice city

Look close...it's made of stone!

Found in Pune, my home away from home in India!

Whaa?! Seriously scary to think about

My Woolly Mammoth 

Oh Ryman :)

From 25,000 BC!! I finally got to see the Venus in Willendorf in real life!

Funny art exhibit

We then spent an evening with Ryman's cousins, Eva and Lucia

A ride on the 1897s Reisenrad Wheel at the Prater

View over Vienna

Yes, we had difficulty with names of just about everything :)

The Prater

We watched Romeo and Juliet in the largest Opera house in the world...for $2.50! They charge such a small amount so they can make shows available for all to see

Watching Romeo with my Romeo..snort snort

Then we met up with our friend, Evelyn, 

which was so nice

Just one of Vienna's Gems, the Beautiful Belvedere

The two rascals

We got the grand tour 

 Then Climbing Of Course!

We had to get our climbing fix at which may quite possibly be the coolest "gym" we've climbed at, the Flakturme. The Flakturme was a WWII watch tower that was too difficult to tear down so they stuck some holds on it and put an aquarium inside :)...Hanging from the top of the tower def provides one of the best views over Vienna!

And of course we had to get our gelato fix--Vienna actually has some of the best ice cream and sushi we have ever had!

Fun fact about Vienna: In the subway station, there are no barriers where you have to insert your card and then you can go into the station...you just walk right in. They have employees randomly check people's tickets sometimes so you can test your luck but may end up with a big fine of 200 whoppin Euros!


Unfortunately, we didn't get many photos with Ryman's family but they were truly so sweet and generous and we are very grateful for them hosting us and showing us such a great time, thanks so much. We hope to see you again soon!

Mwa*~!

See how incredibly inhumane we 

treat animals, skinning them 

alive, beating them to death. Eat 

less meat and eat animals that 

actually have a chance to live.

Earthlings 

Bonjourno Italia!

We arrived in Rome and were picked up at the airport and driven to a lovely family's home. Homemade pizza and pie awaited us . . . we were finally in the land of pasta, pizza, gelato, canolis, and oh yea some of the greatest art of all time.

Sightseeing in Rome was something like competing in the Amazing Race with 5,000 other contestants. So you say it's October how is that possible? That's exactly the problem, everyone had the same idea as us...go to Italy in October to avoid the crowds! Boy were we dead wrong...although I don't even want to imagine what Italy is like in the summer. 

But we realize it was all worth it to see the architectural masterpiece, the Pantheon, and absolutely amazing yet incredibly cruel Colosseum 

The Pantheon built in 120AD

The Pantheons architectural ingenuity--the largest dome built in it's time and would remain that for over a thousand years . . . the walls are over 20 feet thick with heavy concrete and brick! 

The Spanish Steps overrun by tourists

Saint Peter's Basilica...we picked the wrong day, the Pope (we believe) gave a speech and thousands of people came

The Vatican Museum was probably the most amazing museum I've ever been to

Sneaking a pic at Michelangelo's the Creation of Adam (not enough light in the room so blurry photo)

It's truly magnificent in person

Ryman falling in love with one of the many incredible marble statues

Lost as usual!

A Breath of Fresh Air . . .

Just outside of Rome we had the opportunity to explore the ruins of Pompeii and Ostia Antigua

A cafe from the 1st Century AD!

Many of the sites in Pompeii were closed off but we didn't let that stop us! We didn't come all the way there not to see the garden of fugitives so we hopped over the fence and snapped a few photos (without flash of course). We were even able to take photos for other American tourists that couldn't make the jump

:)

I can't even fathom what these people must have went through

Bed at a brothel in Pompeii...sad

Pompeii was one of the most amazing sites i've been to

Typical Pompeii Villa

It's so hard to believe wall paintings lasted ..

Back to Sightseeing in Rome!

So exhausted!

Horse Race Track

Mmmm Pizza!

ExAuStIoN was an at an all time high when we realized that we didn't, or I didn't, read the house rules before booking our stay with the family we in Rome. We had to wake up every morning at 7:30AM, be down at breakfast at 8AM and out the door shortly after. We also couldn't come home until 4PM...so if you didn't do the math, that's 8 hours a day of walkn round and these legs were not made for walkin'!

So it was bitter sweet to say arrivederci 

Our 2 doggies

The Fraschettis are such a nice sweet family..thank you!

Off to Viarregio, Florence and Venice!