Budapest

October 16, 2012

We are grateful that we stumbled across the NH Hotel in the dark - NH is a Dutch chain and this boutique hotel is very comfortable - the sauna last night was most welcome and helped us have a glorious sleep.
As we checked in so late last night, we have decided to stay another night rather than losing the day finding new accommodation. Barry asked for a room with a better view and they have given us a room on the top floor with an oversized deck and a view of Budapest's skyline - spectacular. Another perk is that we are steps from a historic theatre (our view) and an interesting street and are half a block from the Danube. Turkish and Hungarian restaurants are also steps away. I have long dreamed of coming to Budapest, and I think we will love it here.

The dessert section at one of our favourite Turkish restaurants. We tried many of their offerings - everything is soaked in honey, even the chocolate ones.

A few of the hot dishes on offer today at the Turkish restaurant. As well as hot entrees, there are extensive choices of side dishes and salads and breads.

This bakery was featuring 3 kg loaves of bread.

Barry and a new friend near the Parliament Buildings.

Such beautiful bronze scuptures in Europe, this one featured a bronze bridge with this man standing on it - it was positioned on a street corner.

Another friend for Barry - it is always good to befriend the local police.

Barry's friend is being tolerant of his limited wardrobe and Hungarian language skills.

Having a wander on the streets of Budapest - towards St. Stephan's Basilica.

The buildings in Budapest are artistically adorned with much carving, this face smiled down on us.

After a heavy rain and incredible winds, we found warmth and a dry place to sit in St Stephan's.

Beautiful tile flooring outside the Basilica.

St Stephan's is large in scope - it can seat 8000 people.
The dome is equally impressive.

St. Stephan is the much beloved first King of Hungary - in the miniature goldn church is the mummified right hand of St. Stephan.

You can see his hand through the window.

Since we stayed in Budapest for a week, we bought the Budapest Card to give us free metro riding and discounts for our stay. This included 2 days of Hop On Hop Off touring on double decker buses.

While on the Hop On Hop Off bus, we used headphones for a guided tour - they are prepared for many nationalities with different languages.

Andrassy Ut (street), the Champs d'llyses of Hungary, looking towards Heroes Square.
The street is lined with the former homes of aristocrats - the smaller roads in front of the homes were lined with wood (instead of cobbles) to reduce the noise for the residents. Today, these small roads alongside Andrassy are a favoured route for cyclists.

An interesting gate leading to Buda Castle.

For a fee you could try shooting an arrow the traditional way. We found it amusing to watch the young man in traditional garb surfing the net on his cell phone.

Bronze cyclists outside a gallery in the Castle area

Celebrating Olympic cyclists in Hungary.

We have seen these birds throughout Europe - like a crow but with grey markings across their body. A young woman told us that they are magpies - but we're not sure.

Remains of the Buda Castle fortification.

We will always remember Hungarian women for their brightly coloured dyed hair. Most women have burgundy coloured hair - no grey hair! We were impressed by this woman's bold choice of orange to match her outfit, shoes and lipstick.
In my cycling gear and limited travel clothes and grey hair, I feel so drab and conspicuous.

The crow got the brass ring on this iron gate outside the castle.

Guards standing completely still outside the President's quarters.

It was a hot day: high 20's, how do they do it?

St. Matthias Church on the hill at Buda.

The turrets and lookout at Fisherman's Bastion

Inside one of the turrets at the Fisherman's Bastion

Looking at the Parliament from Castle hill at Buda. There are 365 turrets on the Parliament, one for every day of the year.

Looking towards Margaret Island- a car free park in the middle of the Danube (and half a block from our hotel).

The reflection of the Fisherman's Bastion in the windows of the Hilton Hotel

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