Bratislava

Having passed through the Gabcikovo Lock and and power station at km1819, we are traversing a huge canal like area that directs the power of the Danube towards the power station. The lock itself is one of 68 that we will encounter on our journey to Amsterdam. One of the deepest locks, the Bragi was lifted approximately 60 feet. The river is fast flowing and quite an earthy brown. One is taken by the amount of floating trees and deadheads along the way...
The following is from an email that I attempted to send (unsuccessfully) earlier today to family and
friends... It captures much of what we have experienced along the way.
Good morning! It's Tuesday already. The early morning views along the Danube are awesome. This part of the river is quite narrow, heavily treed and except for the quick current, could be the Rideau River between Poonamalie lock and Rideau Ferry.
Everything about the Viking Bragi is amazing...the comfort, the quiet, the quality of the wine, beer and food. Our cabin is very complete, although quite compact. The floor to ceiling patio window offers a great view of all there is to be scene. The last thing I do at night is draw the curtain...so anxious not to miss anything.
We had a terrific bus tour yesterday in Budapest with a very knowledgable tour guide, who shared both the history of the city and the discouraging thoughts about Hungary's struggle to move from communism to a democratic society. Simply, being from Canada, we have no idea what an amazing lifestyle we have and how important it is to keep things democratic...
Enough about political situations...
We are so fortunate to have chosen this cruise and to be sharing it with Garnet & Shirley and Pam & Jim, is a bonus. Everyone is getting along wonderfully, getting together for meals and having enough space to do our respective own thing is working out well. I can't believe that Marion & I are the nighthawks of the group!
This afternoon around 2:00, we'll dock in Bratislava in the Czech Republic. We'll tour the area both by bus and walk. This evening we'll have local entertainment on board prior to departing at 11:00 for Vienna, Austria, where tomorrow night we'll be attending a Mozart & Strauss concert. Vienna is a city of music!
Hoping all is well at home...we'll keep in touch!
It's time to get ready for a safety/fire drill...life jackets and all!
Cheers and as they say in Hungary,  Szia...pronounced see-ah!

Marion & Brian

A quiet time right now, comfortably at my desk with wonderful views out the patio window, about 12" from my right shoulder, I get to see all that goes by.
Next on our agenda, having just completed the mandatory fire drill on the cool and breezy sun deck is a presentation prior to lunch about Vienna Coffeehouses and a briefing on the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Needless to say we are very much looking forward to attending a Mozrt and Strauss concert, tomorrow evening in Vienna.