We had multiple reasons for a celebration, most notably Chika’s birthday and Yukie’s last week with us.  We had been evaluating quite a few scenarios — renting a car and driving to world class spa outside of Munich, going to Venice, visiting a castle outside of Hannover — but after weighing all the options and requirements (7 hours in car seat for Kai wasn’t going to cut it), we ended up going back to Vienna (or as the gate attendant instructed us “Wein”) where we had traveled to over the summer with my parents.  We knew we liked the city, it was easy to walk through, just over an hour flight, all with fantastic architecture and history.  What sealed the deal was finding a last minute package which made it the perfect choice.

Everything went our way this trip.  We had easy flights (there and back).  The hotel allowed us to upgrade to a MASSIVE 2 room suite for a mere 75 eur per night.  We were able to get 2 opera box seats for the sold out Vienna Opera (it was actually a ballet of Don Quixote, and was excellent) which Chika treated me and Yukie to.  The weather was fantastic, and we spend most of the time strolling the city and even made it to the top of the gardens at the Schönbrunn Palace.  We discovered an amazing new place for cakes, Zum Schwartzen Kamel, which we visited multiple times.  Our only subpar experience was at the Palmenhaus for dinner, which severed a well-done lamb filet (had to send it back) and served a salad for Chika which we specifically said could have no milk product, yet used yogurt to connect the cracker bowl to the plate.  We survived.

We are already thinking about when to make another trip.  Hopefully sooner that later.

It was a beautiful morning in Prenzlauerberg, after a late night of work.  I was craving fresh bakery goods (unfortunately my craving the day before was denied due to sell out of my favorite cinnamon/sugar crusted croissant). So I decided to go for a morning run with Kai.  With Chika’s help I strapped him on, and while he was a bit fussy at first, we were soon cruising the hood in the fresh morning air.

It was the first of many bakery runs for me and Kai.  But a special journey as it bring backs golden memories of some 40 years ago when I used to go on bakery runs with my dad, riding in on his shoulders and getting a free cookie from the man behind the counter.

The idea of going out together on a Friday or Saturday night is a bit of a surreal concept these days.  Even if Kai were sleeping on his own at 8pm, neither of us would have much energy to do anything let alone get dressed up and run around the town.

But you accommodate, hence the “Day Date.”  Once in the stroller, Kai can go up to 4 hours in no/low maintenance mode.  So we decided to splurge a bit more for lunch at the Fischkutter @ KDW — the Harrod’s of Berlin.  In a food court, but one of gourmet proportions which also happens to accommodate large strollers.  Freshly prepared seafood, a glass of wine, leisurely dining.  It was a nice afternoon.  Oh, and I didn’t even mention the massage appointments in the morning 🙂