Waking up today we felt as if we had walked a million miles....perhaps we had considering the ground traversed in the past three days. Budapest is a beautiful city and wonderful to explore. Surprisingly it was never on a must see list for any of us but we all agree that everyone should visit..
Because we are using the hop on bus as transportation and the first pick up is at 10:10, we can have a leisurely start to the day. But George awoke at 6:30 so our day began. There was time to pack and I did a bit of shopping before catching the bus to Hero's square.
From there we found a castle and museum of architcture , the park and the zoo. Dale wanted to see the zoo so we split up and agreed to meet at the opera house for the tour.
We began to walk and came upon thr lake with a lovely restaurant overlooking the water. It was quiet and peaceful after the city scene. We enjoyed a lunch there then made our way back to the square to catch the bus to the Opera house.
The building style is baroque and renaissance revival. A great deal of guilding, frescos,marble. Beautiful. The tour itself could use better orchestration.
Back at the hotel we freshened up quickly the off to dinner in a nearby cafe. It was very tinyand we were the only patrons. The food was good but suffered in the translation.
Now to bed as we leave at 4 am. I will post more photos when home.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Budapest adventures
By that time it was time for lunch and warm enough to leave our jackets at the hotel so we rode to the hill. A small cafe suited us and everyone had something we enjoyed. George said his stew with potato puffs was the best meal yet! For a sweet we went to a bakery where Dennis and Dale had big cream filled pastry and I had an apricot filled cookie. George walked around the block instead of eating.
Depositing coats and extras at the hotel we took the bus to the boat dock to ride to Margaret Island. The fountain that danced to music was fun to watch. We walked across the chain bridge again and down to Leopold Square. This square is surrounded by beautiful government buildings and the Parliament building. On to the waterside path which holds a memorial to the 600 people who were shot or just pushed into the Danube in 1944. There are bronze shoes scattered across the cobblestones to remind us...it is very moving to see and sad to recall.
We had walked a lot by this time so decided to call it a day. Back at our hotel we freshened up, had a glass of wine, then set off walking to our dinner place recommended by our cruise director who lives in Budapest. About 5 flights down the hill weren't too bad....it was the flights back up that did me in!!! My dinner of goulash soup and fresh caught trout was delicious.
Dale's onion soup was beautiful. George had a burger that was a huge meatball and Dennis had a ceasar salad.
Tomorrow is our last day so we will be up and out to see a few more sights in this beautiful city.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Budapest
Today we sailed into Budapest in the early morning. It was a bit foggy but nice. The city is beautiful. We toured on the bus with stops at the Heros square and then on to castle hill for a look. Our hotel is here and we will return on Sunda
After lunch aboard we walked to the huge market and through the streets. Dale had found info on a shop that sold items by new designers which we managed to locate. I bought a couple necklaces and she found a one of a kind jacket. She bought th e necklace to match as well. I lost an earing, perhaps there , so will trynto get back and look.
We packed after dinner for the move to our hotel. We look forward to our days to come.
After lunch aboard we walked to the huge market and through the streets. Dale had found info on a shop that sold items by new designers which we managed to locate. I bought a couple necklaces and she found a one of a kind jacket. She bought th e necklace to match as well. I lost an earing, perhaps there , so will trynto get back and look.
We packed after dinner for the move to our hotel. We look forward to our days to come.
A day in Vienna
Our ship overnighted in Vienna as a switch to the usual routine. After breakfast we went on a tour via bus then walked around the St. Stephens square. The cathederal was a beautiful structure comprised otf many stages and styles of architecture. The stores around the square and for blocks around were very busy. We went back to the ship to eat then back out via subway to shop a bit. GELATO was good and people watching even better.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Along the Danube
Melk
We arrived in Melk early today and rushed to breakfast before leaving for a tour of the Abby. It is perched above the quaint town and was redone into baroque style, very lavishly.
There is a school for private students and only 30 monks living in the immense building. On special display were heavily encrusted gold relic holding altar ornaments. Later designs were silver plated with gold. They had taken several rooms formerly used for royals visits and made a beautiful display of vestments, paintings and other special objects.
From there we sailed to Vienna through the Wachau valley. Castles appear on the banks atop green mountains. Spitz was quaint, picturesque and I wished we were stopping. The weather is chilly and damp again so we are not outside but safely ensconced inside the panoramic lounge. The light lunch was nice and allowed us to remain i that room and just pop outside to take photos.
Dinner is early as we will take in a concert tonight.
There is a school for private students and only 30 monks living in the immense building. On special display were heavily encrusted gold relic holding altar ornaments. Later designs were silver plated with gold. They had taken several rooms formerly used for royals visits and made a beautiful display of vestments, paintings and other special objects.
From there we sailed to Vienna through the Wachau valley. Castles appear on the banks atop green mountains. Spitz was quaint, picturesque and I wished we were stopping. The weather is chilly and damp again so we are not outside but safely ensconced inside the panoramic lounge. The light lunch was nice and allowed us to remain i that room and just pop outside to take photos.
Dinner is early as we will take in a concert tonight.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Pasau...
We are docked in town where three rivers meet including the Danube. Two locks were broken so earlier we found ourselves at a warehouse dock waiting for repairs. The tour busses left from there and will meet us in Lintz as planned. The ship leaves here in a few monets and will try to make up tqhe two hours lost earlier.
Right now we are on the bow in the top deck outdoor lounge with coats on. The sun is warming but once underway it may get chilly.
What a way to celebrate my birthday!!!!! sailing down the Danube!!!!
Right now we are on the bow in the top deck outdoor lounge with coats on. The sun is warming but once underway it may get chilly.
What a way to celebrate my birthday!!!!! sailing down the Danube!!!!
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Photos from Regansburg
Regansburg
A leisurely start to the day here with a walking tour of the town. An USESCO site of medieval buildings which are well kept with winding cobblestone streets. One of the women tripped and fell on her face so we spent a tense half hour waiting for help to come. She was talking but a bit bloody. Everyone was extra careful after she was taken away by ambulance.
Because it was chilly we went back to the ship for a warm lunch rather than the sausage and beer outside. We were docked in town with another tied to us. Passengers from that ship walked through ours to get to shore.
George and I went back to tour the state building and enjoyed seeing the beautifully carved paneling and interesting rooms of medieval state. Even the dungeon and torture rooms were interesting though creepy.
Now there is a beer tasting, port talk and dinner to attend.
I willpost photos later.Dale has sent some photos. The stone bridge and courtyard are in Regansburg. Other photos are from Czech Republic
Because it was chilly we went back to the ship for a warm lunch rather than the sausage and beer outside. We were docked in town with another tied to us. Passengers from that ship walked through ours to get to shore.
George and I went back to tour the state building and enjoyed seeing the beautifully carved paneling and interesting rooms of medieval state. Even the dungeon and torture rooms were interesting though creepy.
Now there is a beer tasting, port talk and dinner to attend.
I willpost photos later.Dale has sent some photos. The stone bridge and courtyard are in Regansburg. Other photos are from Czech Republic
Monday, September 22, 2014
A day on the canal..
The bus then drove us quite a way to rejoin the ship which had moved to the canal. This is the Main-Danube canal which connects the two rivers and traverses the continental divide. There are many locks along the way to accomplish this.
It poured rain off and on as we sailed along the narrow canal interspersed with locks along the way. Some were quite deep. Menz's and us played a version of hand and foot using only three decks of cards which was all we could find. We drank tea, some Czech liquor (yikes) and whiled the afternoon away. The locks were interesting the first two times.
It was too chilly to sit on the top deck but interesting to see the awnings and rails laying flat and low to go u dear the bridges. Even the pilot house can be lowered for more clearance.
At dinner we sat with a new couple from Toronto. She turned out to be a drummer and he sings professionally. They had met a crew from last night who insisted he sing after dinner. We enjoyed it all.....
A day on the canal..
The bus then drove us quite a way to rejoin the ship which had moved to the canal. This is the Main-Danube canal which connects the two rivers and traverses the continental divide. There are many locks along the way to accomplish this.
It poured rain off and on as we sailed along the narrow canal interspersed with locks along the way. Some were quite deep. Menz's and us played a version of hand and foot using only three decks of cards which was all we could find. We drank tea, some Czech liquor (yikes) and whiled the afternoon away. The locks were interesting the first two times.
It was too chilly to sit on the top deck but interesting to see the awnings and rails laying flat and low to go u dear the bridges. Even the pilot house can be lowered for more clearance.
At dinner we sat with a new couple from Toronto. She turned out to be a drummer and he sings professionally. They had met a crew from last night who insisted he sing after dinner. We enjoyed it all.....
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