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Royal Palace from the boat
2012 Danube River
Cruise
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Sat behind two English ladies
who talked continually while the guide was giving her "spiel".
When one of the English ladies turned to us and said that the guide
spoke too fast I had to say "To be honest, we haven't heard much
of what she's said because of your continual talking!". That is
not like me! The lady then said that they'd only just started talking.
Anyway, the tour. Firstly, Heroes'
Square - a magnificent place. A photographer's paradise (shame that
I'm not a real photographer!). Then to St.
Stephen's and, after that, Citadella (great views over the City).
Our last stop was a huge indoor market, great for lunch and souvenirs
etc. A half hour run around the City and then we were dropped off near
our hotel (we could have stayed on the coach but preferred a bit of
a walk). Had a walk around the Matthias
Church and the Fishermen's
Bastion and so to the Budapest
Hilton. At our age we prefer a lower floor but, in this case, we
were on the top floor and when we went into our room, WOW.
The window was like a picture frame. There, across the Danube, was
the Parliament
Building. Magnificent. It took us a while to get over it but, there
was unpacking to do. About 17.30 we went to find somewhere to eat (having
had no lunch). The food was a very reasonable price but the wine (considering
it was local and not a "flash" restaurant) was expensive (in
my opinion) - it all cost the equivalent of £44 (no starter or
sweet) which was more than enough.
Next morning, breakfast with Sally, Jerry. Linda and Graham and off
to catch the funicular down to the river. Went past the President's
Office, took a few photos of the Guards
(and then the changing of the Guard), one strange thing, the guards
all wore sunglasses. I can't imagine THAT at Buckingham Palace or Windsor
Castle! Walked across the Chain
Bridge and on to St.
Stephen's (nice to have time to wander around), then the Opera
House (closed until 15th. September!). Tours at 15.00 and 16.00
but it was only 12.30. Went to a local shop and bought pastries and
soft drinks for lunch (which we had on a bench), then walked to Lajos
Kossuth Square in which there was a memorial
flag to the 1956 revolt against Soviet rule and the Parliament
Building. Back along the river bank (past
the poignant memorial to the Jews killed in WW2, a row of shoes)
to the Chain Bridge
(via The Academy of Sciences
and the Gresham Palace)
across and into the funicular. A few pictures around the Palace etc.
and back to the Hilton. Went to dinner at a nearby restaurant where
a trio played (violin, bass and accordian - very good actually). Four
Yorkshire lasses sat at the next table (one of their husbands was Hungarian)
and they were having a great time. A Belgian couple were sitting next
to us and the male decided that I sounded like an English actor. Apparently
Michael Caine! The Yorkshire girls then decided that I also looked like
Michael Caine! I then gave them all "you were only supposed to
blow the bloody doors off!" and that went down well. Reminded us
that, when we were in Gibraltar in 2010, an English couple had sat with
us for lunch and the man had said to me "You are Michael Caine
aren't you?". Would I be sitting at a roadside cafe in Gib if I
was? I'd just like to add that Sir Michael Caine is 12 years older than
me, not the biggest compliment I've ever had (or was it? I'm a big fan
of Michael Caine so I suppose it was)! Anyway, had a look around the
Bastion again and admired the view over to the floodlit Parliament Building.
And so to bed.
As always there were a few
pictures taken which we don't have a clue what they are! Some of
you may know.
Breakfast next day with Linda and Graham and then went to see Sally
and Gerry off (they were going by coach to Vienna). Wandered up the
road to buy a 2013 calendar and then the coach to the airport.
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