Bratislava's UFO

For better or worse, this is one of the visuals which is forever stamped into one's mind during a first visit to Bratislava. Previously known as the "New Bridge" (built to span the Danube in 1973), it's more commonly called the "UFO" -- perhaps official now given the name of the establishment which occupies the restaurant and observation deck on top. (For more information, visit the restaurant's website, www.redmonkeygroup.com). It certainly has an alien look to it. When I queried a few friends I was apologetically told, with a degree of local disdain, that the design was a "eye sore", the saucer-shaped restaurant was "awful" and therefore not worth my time. Of course, I then had to go and see for myself.

I went, and -- as instructed by the sign at the entrance to the elevator up -- I did watch, though I passed on the taste part. My experience has been these kinds of restaurants serve average food at much higher than average price. I could possibly be very wrong since the staff's dress, manner and the few plates I witnessed emerge from the kitchen were all upscale -- though my concern was confirmed by the prices listed on the menu. As for the groove part, one can't escape the pounding Euro-tech music which prevails just about in every public establishment in Central and Eastern Europe. Meaning, since I am a bit accustomed to it now, I was not bothered to groove.

I still wonder if it was worth the 6 EUR admittance fee for the elevator ride and the time spent on the observation deck. As I recount my mid-day visit, on a breezy summer afternoon, it was relaxing -- the views from inside the restaurant and the observation deck captivating. So I guess yes, at least once.

Note the placement of the music speakers throughout the restaurant.

The view upstream of the Danube River west, towards Vienna.

The view of the Danube River, looking east, downstream.

The view south, looking away from Bratislava towards Hungary.

The view north into Old Town Bratislava.

Autobusová Stanica, Bratislava

Anyone traveling in Europe who does not take advantage of public transportation pays a price -- economically and culturally. I rely on trains, buses and trams to get around, avoiding the cost and perceived convenience of a "for hire" car. I've rented or hired my share of cars and taxis abroad but now prefer public modes, since the one-hour bus ride between Vienna and Bratislava (about 35 miles or 55 kilometers) is much cheaper than a 15-minute cab ride in either city (several miles or kilometers in traffic).

Public transportation in Europe has evolved to a point of where it is a natural part of the land or cityscape -- using it is second nature.

For example, one can easily mistake Bratislava's bus station (autobusová stanica) for some other activity -- its plain functional façade hides the goings on inside and behind. (For the foreign observer, there are many similar buildings, providing shelter for an array of services, indistinguishable without a little investigation.) There is not a whole lot of glamour and glitz expended on such structures, though they do seem to operate well, and in the case of transportation, are very punctual. Of course, if one can read the local language, signs plainly say it all.

Recently I noticed that many of the inter city buses now have on board Wi-Fi (for the curious, checkout www.orangeways.com -- their buses appear to be very popular with the "backpacking, explorer, on to the next city" crowd). I was pleased to be able to pick up and surf the Internet while I was next to an Orangeway bus (obviously marked Wi-Fi capable).

Although the Vienna-Bratislava buses are not yet so equipped, they are decent and comfortable. Efficient.