Hungarian Paprika
September 10, Day 91 - Bratislava, Slovakia
We arrived in Bratislava about 3:30 by bus and immediately continued on with a city bus and walking tour exploring the old castle area high on the hill above the Danube, and the city square and streets on the flat areas by the river. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, but seemed a bit too rigid about the time schedule we were on. I guess she had to be to make sure we got embarked on the boat by 5:30. We felt tethered. This is the reason we don't care for organized tours.
There are some famous sculptures in several cities that we have enjoyed seeing, and there was one in Bratislava we were anxious to see. Fortunately, this was on the route of our walking tour and once we found this out we relaxed a bit knowing we wouldn't miss it while tethered to the tour. There was also a geocache in the same vicinity that we were able to find as well. The statue is the Man Working.
We checked on the boat and reached our room and gleefully rejoined our luggage. We are rarely parted...haha. Our room is on the top deck with one wall being all glass looking out over the river. Our bed faces the window. If we wanted we could sit in our bed, look out the window, and it is like an HD big screen movie going by. We are also the last room in the aft part of the ship right next to the lounge and sundeck where cappuccino and fresh cookies are available 24/7. Heaven...oink.
After our safety drill and champaign reception, a four course meal awaited us. We've already met several nice couples. Most of the cruisers are from the US and Canada. Then it was time for bed on an extremely, comfortable memory foam mattress. Heaven....Zzzzz.
Day 92, September 11 - Budapest, Hungary
As we were eating breakfast, the buildings of Budapest started coming into view. Buda side of the river is the hilly side. Pest is the opposite side of the river that is flat. The rain was poring as we arrived. With rain gear and umbrellas we set out to see the city, visit the palace on the Buda hill. Once again while we had some free time on the mountain top, we were able to find a geocache. Unfortunately, I was unable to take many pictures because of the rain.
We returned to the ship for lunch. There were three/four optional tours after lunch, but we decided to opt out and stay in Budapest on our own. The rain was lessening, and an afternoon walk-about looked promising. Another couple from the USA, Maggie and Bob from Georgia, Appalachian Mountaiins joined us as we walked a couple of kilometers along the Danube to another famous sculpture, called Shoes along the Danube. The rainy grey day lent an even more depressive air over the memorial of people killed in a militia action n 1945. The empty, worn, torn shoes along the banks of the river, looked as if people had just stepped out of them and disappeared into the Danube. There were flowers and candles in and by many of the shoes.
Our walk back to the boat was through the pedestrian shopping street, where vendors were finally setting up their stalls as the rain had stopped. A Hungarian music band was playing, wurst and purple kraut were being cooked, and tourists were looking at the wares and local souveniers. Of course, we had to buy some things for our grandaughter (s), and hope by next summer the girls can have a photo in matching little Hungarian dresses. When we reached the big market building we also bought some Hungarian paprika to make gulash soup.
After walking several miles, we felt we had walked off enough of the calories from previous meals to enjoy a couple glasses of wine with dinner. We sat with our friends Maggie and Bob, and expanded our circle with two couples from Canada, Daryl and Renata, and Vickie and Rick.
Before we retired, we walked along the sundeck of the ship and enjoyed the lights of Budapest.
Day 93 - Mohacs, Pec, and wine tasting in Hungary.
The Avalon Illumination left the dock after midnight while most of us were sleeping. At least we were. We slept in until 8:30...or I should say I did. By the time I woke up, Russ was just returning from the fitness center. We ate a late breakfast and docked in Mohacs at 10:00. There isn't much going on in this sleepy little town, but it is a good place for the ship to stop to clear customs before we move into Croatian waters. When we arrived in Croatia via plane and again by car, we didn't have to fill out any paperwork. But apparently, by boat we do.
Russ and I took a two hour walk through the little city and residential areas before returning to the boat for lunch and then to board busses that would take us to Pec, the eastern most city of the old Roman Empire. The sun popped its head out while we were in Pec which is a mixture of Turkish, Roman and 18-19th century architecture. This is a university town and the town square with schools, city hall, churches and commercial establishments were very picturesque. The oldest mosque in Europe is now a Catholic Church. Our guide said Pec was also an example of the uglier side of capitalism and made sure to point out the McDonalds on the bottom floor of the picturesque city hall.
After our walking tour we headed out to the vineyards, a valley with heated mediterranean climate captured in a valley by a rock mountain. We spent the afternoon tasting wines and eating olive oil saturated cheeses. We are now heading back to the boat at 5;35 pm, seats are reclined, and it's time for a little pre-dinner nap.
All is well with the Worrall Travel R's in Hungary.
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