More of Budapest at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/findthebinghams/317thTo11thNovHungaryAndBudapest
Budapest was just fabulous! and getting round on its wonderfully i
ntegrated transport system was impressive – some of it may be old and grafiteed, but appearances belie effectiveness. Rick particularly enjoyed the funicular, (but I resisted the urge to join him in the Railway Museum).
Hungary was at the forefront of the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and 20% Hungarians live in the capital. It’s a busy, thriving city which successfully manages to combine the ancient and modern, with grand buildings and elegant bridges. We thought it magnificent!
UNESCO again – the view of Castle Hill in Buda is on its List and includes the Palace, and the amazing Matyas Chursh
(13th C original). Fishermen’s Bastion provides the ‘romantic’ ramparts from which to look across the Danube to Pest, the more modern part of the city.Rick found the best ever
European Market Hall and was in his element - he gazed in wonderment, both at its construction and its merchandise. 
It was truly amazing and the fruit and meat stalls were so spectacular, you wanted to eat really healthily. We re-named his favourite stall ‘Pic(kle) and Mix’.
A cruise on the Danube, with champagne, lunch and Strauss’ 
waltz was fun, and the river view was great. However, the day’s highlight was a theatre visit to marvel at folk-dancers and their musicians. Energetic, leaping, thigh-slapping, twisting in gorgeous traditional costumes (beautifully embroidered floral designs). It was truly a treat.
…and then there were the musicians at the other end of the scale…….
My first visit to a synagogue was to the largest in Europe. It’s recently been renovated and the Baroque and Moorish influences were evident. Particularly poignant was the memorial to the Hungarian Holocaust victims.
For 2000 years, people have enjoyed the city’s thermal springs (up to 80deg C!). Sadly, being November, many were under repair.
We drove for miles along very straig
ht roads through very flat
waltz was fun, and the river view was great. However, the day’s highlight was a theatre visit to marvel at folk-dancers and their musicians. Energetic, leaping, thigh-slapping, twisting in gorgeous traditional costumes (beautifully embroidered floral designs). It was truly a treat.
…and then there were the musicians at the other end of the scale…….
My first visit to a synagogue was to the largest in Europe. It’s recently been renovated and the Baroque and Moorish influences were evident. Particularly poignant was the memorial to the Hungarian Holocaust victims.
For 2000 years, people have enjoyed the city’s thermal springs (up to 80deg C!). Sadly, being November, many were under repair.We drove for miles along very straig
ht roads through very flat
farmland. There were some quite poor farms, but the towns look reasonably prosperous. Gyula, near the Romanian border has regenerated its centre and Rick was captivated by its glass and granite World Clock.
All over Hungary, we found friendly, helpful people – especially when your van gets stuck in mud….
We’re heading further south to Greece for some sun, via Romania and Bulgaria.
All over Hungary, we found friendly, helpful people – especially when your van gets stuck in mud….We’re heading further south to Greece for some sun, via Romania and Bulgaria.
2 comments:
Great photos from Slovakia (my Slovak cleaner was impressed, don't you know!). Budapest looks a great visit too. Once you've seen one Hungarian synagogue you'll want to see another - they're very Moorish. Regards to Paul, if you find him!
Rick
Hi Rick
found Paul - all very cheerful and happy. He's planning on self-sufficiency.
I'll watch out for the infectious synagogues!
Love
Rose
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