Travelling with a group from Bratislava to Vienna by boat is an excellent way to arrive at a city that has long been on my bucket list. The journey was not to everyone’s taste. On the high speed catamaran it takes an hour and a half. Two of our group slept for a lot of the journey! It isn’t the prettiest part of the Danube, but interesting for some. My motivation was for one thing only. Having enjoyed Orson Welles B&W film ‘The Third Man,’ I needed to see the Ferris wheel in the Riesenradplatz. It is not spectacular, consisting of what appears to be a lot of sheds strung around the wheel. However, for me the journey around was reliving the exciting climax to the film. The operators offer a brief pause at the zenith, where one can see many of the spectacular buildings that most people visit Vienna to enjoy. For me, to stand at the door where Orson Welles stood and look down at the wooden benches was a fascinating experience. Apparently, the Viennese reconstructed the wheel first, after WW2, as it was a symbol of Vienna that everyone loved. It is easy to see why such an iconic structure was so precious, but perhaps it is necessary to be of a certain generation to properly appreciate that. The tram is the best way to see much of the city on a limited time schedule, but the wheel will be what I remember most. The remainder of the theme park did appeal to the two sleepy companions, but it is not possible to please everyone.
