Vienna is home to another oldest existing amusement facility apart from the zoo, namely the Ferris wheel in the Prater Park. Actually, the Ferris wheel was damaged in World War II but was quickly restored as a symbol of the reconstruction of Vienna. Before boarding the wheel, there was an exhibition on a brief history of Vienna and Austria. This is no ordinary exhibition. The centre of the exhibition hall is a rotating stand, and at its perimeter cabins from the previous Ferris wheel were installed for displaying models depicting the development of Vienna and the Prater. On the walls above those cabins, there was a continuous piece of drawing illustrating the important events and personalities in the history of Vienna and Austria. The easiest way to see the picture, of course, is to stand still and let the rotating stand take you around it.
除了動物園，維也納有另一樣全世界最古老而仍保存至今的東西，就是柏拉特公園（Prater）的摩天輪——其實摩天輪曾遭二次大戰的戰火破壞，但之後以短時間修復，是維也納戰後復興的一樁大事。未登上摩天輪前，有展覽介紹維也納及奧地利簡史，這個展覽可算別出心裁，場館中央是個轉盤，轉盤外圍設置了好幾個從前是摩天輪車廂的模型展覽箱，簡述維也納及柏拉特公園的發展史，舉頭則以繪畫描繪維也納和奧地利的歷史大事和重要人物，祇須在轉盤站着，隨轉盤轉動一周便全部看到。
History of the Prater, from the Roman Times, 17th Century, construction of the Wheel to its destruction by World War II
The Graben and the Pestsäule statue to commemorate the end of the plague in 1679.
Left: the original Hundertwasserhaus (Hundertwasser House) in Vienna, designed by Austrian artist/architect Hundertwasser
The views along the Danube Canal 多瑙運河沿途景色
Even if music doesn't tickle your interest a titbit, you should pay a visit to this unusual establishment, located in the concourse of Karlsplatz underground railway station near the State Opera exit. Don't rush through this place like you normally would in the more common, run-of-the-mill counterparts, and let the opera atmosphere inside enliven you!
就算你跟音樂無緣，也總得到這個不平凡的景點見識見識，其位於Karlsplatz地鐵站通往國家歌劇院的出入口附近，一個本來平常人不會久留之地，注入了歌劇院的元素，保證會令你心情舒暢！
（Now you know what this place really is? 你現在知道是甚麼地方嗎？）
除了動物園，維也納有另一樣全世界最古老而仍保存至今的東西，就是柏拉特公園（Prater）的摩天輪——其實摩天輪曾遭二次大戰的戰火破壞，但之後以短時間修復，是維也納戰後復興的一樁大事。未登上摩天輪前，有展覽介紹維也納及奧地利簡史，這個展覽可算別出心裁，場館中央是個轉盤，轉盤外圍設置了好幾個從前是摩天輪車廂的模型展覽箱，簡述維也納及柏拉特公園的發展史，舉頭則以繪畫描繪維也納和奧地利的歷史大事和重要人物，祇須在轉盤站着，隨轉盤轉動一周便全部看到。
The Prater Park
柏拉特公園
Views of Vienna from the Ferris wheel
Views of Vienna from the Ferris wheel
從摩天輪上的維也納景色
Paparazzing on the dining car!
拍攝摩天輪的餐卡，盡顯狗仔隊本色！
History of the Prater, from the Roman Times, 17th Century, construction of the Wheel to its destruction by World War II
柏拉特公園的歷史，從羅馬帝國時代、17世紀、摩天輪落成至二次大戰之蹂躪
It's impossible not to think about performing arts in Vienna, and many tourists will watch an opera or ballet. I had no such luxury, but I still took time for a guided tour through the Staatsoper (State Opera) just before I left Vienna. It happened that I missed out the opening of a new season just by a day, and during the visit, workers were busy setting up the stage for the show on the next day. This would be a daily chore at the State Opera until the end of this season.
表演藝術亦是維也納的一大賣點，不少遊客都會慕名觀賞各式各樣的歌劇或芭蕾舞表演，是次行程緊密，臨離開維也納時也抽空跟導賞團參觀國家歌劇院，正值翌日是新一季度的表演的揭幕日，參觀時舞台正忙個不停籌備翌日的表演，之後隨了幾個特殊日子外，每日都馬不停蹄地公演，直至季度結束。
It's impossible not to think about performing arts in Vienna, and many tourists will watch an opera or ballet. I had no such luxury, but I still took time for a guided tour through the Staatsoper (State Opera) just before I left Vienna. It happened that I missed out the opening of a new season just by a day, and during the visit, workers were busy setting up the stage for the show on the next day. This would be a daily chore at the State Opera until the end of this season.
表演藝術亦是維也納的一大賣點，不少遊客都會慕名觀賞各式各樣的歌劇或芭蕾舞表演，是次行程緊密，臨離開維也納時也抽空跟導賞團參觀國家歌劇院，正值翌日是新一季度的表演的揭幕日，參觀時舞台正忙個不停籌備翌日的表演，之後隨了幾個特殊日子外，每日都馬不停蹄地公演，直至季度結束。
The main entrance to the State Opera is never quiet!
國家歌劇院的正門從不會冷清！
The various rooms inside the Opera 歌劇院內各室
The stage (left; 50 m deep!) and the auditorium (middle and right)
The various rooms inside the Opera 歌劇院內各室
The stage (left; 50 m deep!) and the auditorium (middle and right)
左：舞台（有50米深！）、中、右：觀眾席
But if you indeed can't spare any time for a performance in one of the many theatres around Vienna, you'll most likely able to come across some good-quality performances on the streets in the city centre. Kärtnerstrasse after dark is the place to be, and you won't miss the sound of lively music permeating out of the crowds of spectators.
要是沒空看歌劇或音樂會，到舊城區街頭走一趟也許會遇上水準不錯的表演，尤其是入夜後的Kärtnerstrasse，往往會聽到一群群圍觀者中傳來悠揚的樂聲
But if you indeed can't spare any time for a performance in one of the many theatres around Vienna, you'll most likely able to come across some good-quality performances on the streets in the city centre. Kärtnerstrasse after dark is the place to be, and you won't miss the sound of lively music permeating out of the crowds of spectators.要是沒空看歌劇或音樂會，到舊城區街頭走一趟也許會遇上水準不錯的表演，尤其是入夜後的Kärtnerstrasse，往往會聽到一群群圍觀者中傳來悠揚的樂聲
Kärtnerstrasse during the day
日間的Kärtnerstrasse
Other parts of the city centre 市中心其他景色
Other parts of the city centre 市中心其他景色
The Graben and the Pestsäule statue to commemorate the end of the plague in 1679.
Graben大街及鼠疫紀念碑（紀念維也納1679年的鼠疫最終消退）
Stephensdom (St. Stephen's Church)
聖斯堤芬教堂
Bundesparlament (Federal Parliament) of Austria
奧地利國會大樓
The Town Hall of Vienna
The Town Hall of Vienna
維也納的市政廳
Left: the original Hundertwasserhaus (Hundertwasser House) in Vienna, designed by Austrian artist/architect Hundertwasser
Right: Kunsthaus Wien, a private museum dedicated for Hundertwasser's artwork
左：漢德瓦薩屋，由著名奧地利藝術家漢德瓦薩設計
左：漢德瓦薩屋，由著名奧地利藝術家漢德瓦薩設計
右：私營的維也納藝術屋，展出漢德瓦薩的作品
The views along the Danube Canal 多瑙運河沿途景色
Even if music doesn't tickle your interest a titbit, you should pay a visit to this unusual establishment, located in the concourse of Karlsplatz underground railway station near the State Opera exit. Don't rush through this place like you normally would in the more common, run-of-the-mill counterparts, and let the opera atmosphere inside enliven you!
就算你跟音樂無緣，也總得到這個不平凡的景點見識見識，其位於Karlsplatz地鐵站通往國家歌劇院的出入口附近，一個本來平常人不會久留之地，注入了歌劇院的元素，保證會令你心情舒暢！
（Now you know what this place really is? 你現在知道是甚麼地方嗎？）
Comments
Pity you missed the opera. If you line up nice and early on the day, you can get a standing room ticket for $3.50 - right behind the seats costing hundreds or euros. Great value!
Joe
維也納實在敎我懷念－－除了物價！