Budapest from the underground up

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Budapest
Julie J Vanover I didn't really know what to see in Budapest other than the thermal baths and the Fisherman's Warf. So I was very pleasantly suprised at how much there was to do and see and how much I liked Budapest. I arrived on a holiday so most things were closed, so when I saw a sign to go caving at my hostel I signed up! I had a few hours before caving started so I explored some of the city. I saw the Gellert Hotel and Bath House, the Citadel and this weird cave church thing. The church was built into the side of the hill side in some caves. It was cool and there was chanting going on that echoed through the whole church. Cool but odd. Walked around Buda Palace and explored the grounds.

Then I was off to go caving. We met at a bus stop and went off to the caves where we got suited up in our caving suits and helmets. The cave was cool, not amazing but cool. There were several places that we had to army crawl through or lie on our side and wiggle through. It was a little more intense than I was anticipating but it was neat. Our guide was like a little cave ferret, he would jump through these little holes and down these rocks like a ferret. It was altogether very enjoyable minus the bruises and sore muscles the next day.

The next day went to the Fisherman´s Warf and Parliment Building. Then I met Andy, a guy from LA that I met caving and we explored the rest of Budapest. We walked down Andrassy, the big street to see in Budapest. We went to the Terror Museum which was about the Arrowcross Party and the Nazi rule and atrocities in Budapest. It was a verz humbling and sad place. Then we went and soked in some mineral baths, which after caving the day before felt really good! After our long and needed soak we headed to the opera.

We saw Puccini´s ´Tosca', which we didn´t have a clue what was going on and we didn´t have the best seats. The seats were less than €2, did I mention that!!! The opera house was amazing it was so beautiful, it was very decorated and ornate without being gaudy. We only stayed for the first act but it was very cool, and only €2. Then we went to dinner and I ran into Shermaine, the girl that I went to Capri with in Naples! Small backpacking world! All in all I really enjoyed Budapest, it was interesting and beautiful. And my hostel had free laundry, so I had my laundry done and it came back smelling good and fresh. It has been so long since I had good smelling clothes! Sigh, I sat and smelled my clothes for a little too long.

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Photos

A trona miners daughter
This will make a Dad proud!

Buda Palace
This is one of the courtyards in Buda Palace. They really like statues, they are everywhere.

The Chain Bridge
I was a little confused about why this was called the Chain Bridge, I didn´t see any chains. Hmmm

Finally...
I have found my knight, how many castles does a girl have to explore!

The Church on Fisherman´s Warf
I loved the roof of this church, it is so interesting.

Dorothy!!!
I found the yellow brick road, it is in Budapest!!!

Parliament Building
This is actually the back of the Parliament which I thought was prettier than the front.

Comments

[Andrew]

Hi Julie gald your having such an amazing time.The Parliament building looks absolutely massive from your picture and the city itself looks actually quite spectacular.Ayway I wish you continued good times on the rest of your trip.Love you lots!

[Mom & Dad]

Nice mining clothes. Makes Dad think of work. Glad you got to go to an opera. Was that your first time? Pretty pictures. We really liked Fisherman's Wharf. It's prettier than San Francisco's. Glad you're having a great time.