Vienna Witness disposal...

“The wanderer’s danger is to find comfort...” – William Least Heat-Moon

(7 May 2006 – 9 May 2006)

Day 1: Dinner at Ken’s with the Austrians’ and Philippines’ teams
Arrived at Vienna at 6.15 p.m. with hotel transfer already pre-arranged. The Astoria Hotel is situated right in the middle of Stephanplatz. Allen and the Philippines’ team have checked-in earlier. Dinner was at Ken’s, a Turkish Restaurant where we had nasi briani and lamb kebab. Roger and wife, Gernoit and Wife and Dr. Raluca, from the Austrian Mint team joined us.

Day 2: Visits to the Austrian Mint and Printing Plant
Picked-up and transferred to OeBS at 8.30 a.m. General presentation was by Oliver F on Company profile and products. Together with the Philippines’ team visited the Origination Center, National Analysis Center, Production Department and Finishing Department.

Transferred to the Austrian Mint and visited GSA and listened to a briefing by G Maier. Visited the precious metal casting and blanking, proof production and auto packaging system. End of day dinner with K Meyer, the Director of the Mint at the Wok, a Malaysian Chinese restaurant.

Day 3: Witness dies destruction
The Philippines’ team flew to Zurich this morning. I was picked-up and transferred to OeBS at 9.30 a.m. Expert presentation was by Dr. D Schwarzbach on security features. Transferred to the Austrian Mint and toured the plant with B Wohletz. Later witness the destruction of dies and signing of certificates. Lunch was with B Wohletz and Bridget at a seafood restaurant.

By 3 p.m. I was back at the hotel and dear hubby was already in the room waiting for me. His flight reached Vienna early this morning. I was happy to see him...