Was my chromebook nicked or did I just leave it?
I´m typing this up on the hotel internet PCs. Some of the keys are in very strange places. This is not qwerty. It took me a while to find Y.
Grindelwald-Bern-Zurich-Vienna was a bit of a trek with dead time. Getting off the train in Vienna I realised that my Chromebook was missing. This had been my companion and my thing to do. I enjoyed the typing and the photo uploading. Costwise its not too bad. I´m insured, but still. My password needed to change and this has taken time.
I was a bit knocked out when I arrived in the hotel. I had a map, but had trouble reading it. There was much wandering, but Google Maps helped again. Luckily, data roaming was normal UK prices again.
On arrival, I asked about another night, but that was a Saturday and fully booked. Time for a change of plan, which took a while. I washed some clothes and was too tired to leave the room. Then it came to me. I could visit Bratislava! That’s where I am now. In a nice cafe with a dopio espresso and a caramel cheesecake. More about this place later.
At 2000, I forced myself to go for a walk. I made it as far as a great fun fair. I hope the pictures come out well. Some of the rides were nuts. There was a House of the Dead 2, too. After paying 2 Euros and getting my arse kicked, I moved on. The place was great. Snitchell, fries, and beer did the job and I went home happy.
A night in the hotel should have refreshed me, but I’m still knackered. Moving needed to happen, so I left my bags in the hotel in Vienna and set off for the train station.I got lost, but had a nice walk in a massive park and Google Maps to find the right way. Finally, I saw a tram going the right way tou Hoptfanhouf. On the way, I found Belvedere, but didn’t have the time.
I booked my Budapest train for the wrong day! And arranged to meet Janos on Wednesday.
It was a good one hour trip to Bratisava, then I realised I had no plan where to go. My phone apps were not working yet! A few minutes later, I took the 99 Zst Pertzalka to Technopol and then 98 to Bajkalska. I did have my worries! The area was full of functional flats.
Advice from the hotel reception told me to take the 39 to Zochova and walk to the old town from there. I stayed on the bus too long and needed to walk back.
I’ll add some photos here, because the old town was fantastic.
I wasn’t sure about returning again this morning. I’m pleased I did. For a start, I bought two notebooks. This will all be typed up if I can read it. I’m going back from the Central station. This would have made me less anxious if I arrived here yesterday. There’s a main bus stop, cars, and people. The hotel told me to catch the 93 from Zochova. If I was in any doubt, the bus had a picture of train next to the 93. This is something I would look up if my laptop was here. Why did I not arrive at this station yesterday?
It’s 1410 and my train is at 1438. I’m on a balcony with a small beer for 0.90 Euros. Wow! I was paying 4CH for this a few days ago.
Plan:
- Back to hotel
- Book a seat on a Monday train to Budapest
- Book hotel and use points
- Go for a swim in the hotel
- See if Janos can make Tuesday
Time at the pool is what I need. Vienna was fine, but there were no obvious places to visit – except for parks and a fun fair! I could go on a few rides tonight. Something tells me I’ll live Budapest more. When I leave here, it will almost be my third week!
This round trip to Bratislava has cost 26 Euro and I’m beginning to question the value of the Interrail pass, but it does feel good to have it. Last night really perked me up. I wasn’t down, but I am working out how long it will take to return on the sleepers if I make it to Bucharest. I suppose I can’t lose the laptop again.
I had been changing passwords for two days and then I was being locked out from Gmail. Hotmail spotted unusual activity and both accounts needed reseting. The bar I ended up in was nice. I had coconut, prawn, noodle soup, plus two pints of ’73.
This morning Pffffff. I need to move again! Once I’ve priced up BP for a few nights, that’s my expensive part of the trip done and I can camp again near Paris if I want to. There’s plenty of time left on my pass, but the job thing is important, and my car needs to be returned soon or bought by the end of October.
One thing this trip will make me do is learn more languages. I can start to recognise French subtitles now. Then I look up the odd word.
I think I’ll find my way back in Wien and head for the fun fair!
The odd thing is that when I return somewhere, sometimes I have a moment when everything is clear and I see where I should have gone the day before. Other times I’m more confused and I don’t recognise the place at all.
I can see a car transporter full of VW UP!s. I’m pretty sure I stayed on my train too long yesterday and I needed an earlier stop.
When I checked out this morning I remembered my Hilton Honours number 666152145! I was so happy, I made the women in reception laugh.
Poor Chromebook. I wonder if they did find it.
Words of Nonsense 