We awoke having slept little and discovered the breakfast was a reflection of the small number of stars which the hotel proudly displayed in the foyer. The relatively small number of these stars is worn like a badge of honour, explaining all that happens within. I asked last night if they could suggest a good local classical concert, this being Vienna, and they replied, "We are only three stars". I also asked if they might be able to fix the fridge in our room, to which they replied, "We are only three stars". I also made a polite suggestion with regard to the possible installation of some refrigerative air-conditioning sometime in the future, to which the proudly responded, "We are only three stars". It appears that it was the answer to every query.

We exited the hotel at 9:00am, tired but relieved to be outside on a cooler day, to board the bus for a tour of Vienna. The local guide's name was Heinrich. He had a name in common with a certain German man who creatively proposed the final solution. Heinrich was made of the same stuff as his namesake. He suggested firstly that it would unnacceptable for anyone to be late for any reason. Then he asked who was the slowest walker in the group. A poor lady with a walking stick reluctantly raised her hand. Heinrich told her that she would be walking up the front with him so that we all walked at her pace. This had the unfortunate effect of making her the centre of attention, and put pressure on her to speed up to match the rest of us, who were breathing down her neck.

Heinrich suggested that we all are counted by raising our arms in a salute-like gesture. At one point Heinrich told us all off for not paying sufficient attention. He also said the tour would be terminated. He also burst out into rendition of the German national anthem. He was very surprised and pleasedwhen we followed with a rousing rendition ourselves. He was very curious why we knew the anthem so well, being unaware it is one of our hymn tunes.

Heinrich showed us all what makes Austrians and Germans so special.

Heinrich took us to a very strange shopping village, Hundertwasserhaus, built after the idea and concept of Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser with architect Joseph Krawina as a co-author. Not one floor, wall or ceiling is flat, nor any a normal colour. Everything is a wierd shape and the colour combination is bright. It was very different. It seemed a bit of a wierd thing to take us to, given we only had one day in Vienna, but I am sure Heinrich got his kickback.

We went for a walk through the centre of Vienna and saw many of the grand building there, including St Stephens Cathedral, the Imperial Palace, the Town Hall, Parliament House and the church in which all the Hapsburg Emperors are buried.

We walked through the grounds of the Imperial Palace of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Hofburg Palace is where the Hapsburgs lived in luxury and grandeur for hundreds of years

We visited the incredible State Room of the Library Complex which is located in the Imperial Palace. They hold an incredible collection of books, from papyrus to codex and modern books. The State Room is a more ornate library than I have ever seen. It is every librarian's dream. A book room to die for. The room is now a museum. There was a very comprehensive display on the history of the Freemasons movement.

We purchased some tickets to a concert at the Palais Schoenbrunn. The concert commenced at 8:15pm and went for about 90 minutes including an interval. The program included range of music for string chamber group by Mozart, Bizet, Vivaldi, Strauss and Dvorak. It was held on a smallish but ornately decorated room in the palais. It was a really nice way to spend the evening in Vienna.

After the concert we had a late dinner at an Italian franchise called Vespiano that cooks the food in front of the customers, who are given a card to accumulate charges which are paid for at the end of the evening. It’s a great idea and allows for easy splitting of bills.

Slept for second night at Admiral Hotel in Vienna. The night was cooler, but the room was still hot after the previous day’s heat.