Page 3 of MrsMac Travel Blog Posts


Europe » Hungary » Central Hungary » Budapest August 29th 2023

The last three days at the track provided some of the best moments of the trip so far. On Friday morning the only event we wa ted to watch was the women's high jump qualifying. We did that from our room and were pleased that both Eleanor Patterson and Nicole Olysagers both got through to the final. The men's decathlon started but both Ash Moloney and Cedric Dubler had to pull out during the competition due to injury. At 12-15 we met Denis Wilson in the foyer and walked with him to Voromasy Square and to the S/O restaurant. This stands for Soy/Olive. The place has an Italian restaurant on one side and an Asian on the other. The Oceania Area Lunch was being held in the Italian side. This is always a highlight of any ... read more
Seb Coe dropped by
Great antipasto
Oceania people

Europe » Hungary » Central Hungary » Budapest August 25th 2023

The last 4 days have been mainly spent at the stadium. On both Monday and Tuesday there was no morning session so we rested in our room. Monday we walked up to Erzsébet Square where we had a great lunch at Il Pasteo, an Italian restaurant on the edge of the square. Great food and service. It was very hot so we were glad to retreat back to the hotel after a short stroll. The evening session highlight was the Men's Discus where Matt Denny was competing. What a comp!! Matt threw a new Australian record but that was only good enough for 4th!! On Tuesday, we again rested before going back to the shopping area, venturing further along the Visci utca but the heat got the better of us. We stopped at the Cyrano restaurant ... read more
Fletcher's spaghetti marinara
Yummy rose at Cyrano
At the track

Europe » Hungary » Central Hungary » Budapest August 21st 2023

On Thursday and Friday Fletcher spent most of the days at the Congress where a new council was elected and various committees reported on their activities. I vegged out completely on the Thursday but on Friday morning I walked up to the very vibrant shopping area and square behind the hotel. Here I explored the various shops and buildings. Market stalls had been set up in preparation for St Stephen's day which is Sunday.I bought myself a hat and some make-up, but after an hour and a half I was tired so wandered back to the hotel for a cold drink. Fletcher returned and shared my club sandwich and then in the evening we went to the Local Organisibg Comittee dinner. This was even grander than the opening dinner. It was held in the Museum of ... read more
Cannabis chocolate for sale
Huge Ferris Wheel in the square
One of the temporary market stalls

Europe » Hungary » Central Hungary » Budapest August 17th 2023

Since Saturday morning we have been in the beautiful city of Budapest. We still have 12 days to go but most of that will be spent at the track watching the World Athletics Championships. So though we haven't been out all day every day, here is a summary of various aspects of our visit so far. Sightseeing!! Our hotel, the Intercontinental is not far from the amazing Parliament building on the banks of the Danube( which is far from blue!!). We caught a tram , which runs frequently, but got off a stop or two too early. We then walked the short way to view this magnificent building. With towering spires and an imposing dome it is certainly one of the main sights here. We walked around it admiring the statues etc which are on all ... read more
Buda castle at night
One side of the Parliament
Another view of the Parliament

Europe » Austria » Lower Austria » Melk August 14th 2023

We entered Austria during the night, after our German feast on board. The next morning was again gloomy and overcast and the inevitable rain. Our included tour was in the town of Melk. We were driven to the highest point, overlooking the river and the town, to Melk Abbey, a UNESCO Heritage site. After alighting from the bus we walked down 60 steps and through some beautiful gardens to the Abbey courtyard. This had been a Benedictine abbey for centuries. It now houses a museum and a school still run by religious staff. We were not permitted to take photos inside but could of the splendid buildings, beautifully restored. Where we were taken was mainly set up as a museum, starting with a room concerning St Benedict and the rules of his order. Our guide described ... read more
Courtyard of the abbey
Fresco in the entrance
Fountain in the garden

Europe » Austria » Lower Austria » Melk August 9th 2023

Sunday, we arrived in Nuremberg. We had not booked any tours but there was to be a shuttle bus going into the city in the afternoon. we caught that into the heart of the city. We had been here in 2008 and had really enjoyed our time here. Unfortunately, it was cool and rainy but we still wanted to revisit. We were bussed into the city and walked to the main square where they have markets. However, as it was a Sunday ,these were closed. We stopped at the beautiful old fountain which was to be our meeting point for our return. We walked through the square and stopped on the bridge admiring the beautiful architecture. This town was bombed substantially during WW2 but much of the older buildings have been restored. We stopped in front ... read more
Church in the Town square
On the bridge, Nuremberg
St Lawrence's

Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Bamberg August 5th 2023

The last few days we have been cruising down the Rhine and Main rivers. Now we enter the Main Canal, built to join the Rhine and Danube. We have stopped at some lovely German cities and towns and enjoyed the sights and sounds but the summer has deserted us. We have had some sunshine but the temperature has only been in the low 20s and we have had lots of rain. On Thursday, we had an interesting glass blowing demonstration on board the ship and then in the afternoon we were bussed to the small town of Miltenberg. Here we had a tour of the main areas and admired the wooden buildings.We stopped for a wine at one of the many outdoor cafes although the showers returned then back to the ship. That evening there was ... read more
One of the buildings in Miltenberg
Main street
Pretty Miltenberg house

Europe » Germany » Rhineland-Palatinate » Koblenz August 3rd 2023

Our second night aboard the Viking Magni was very comfortable. Our destination on the next day was Cologne. We had visited here before and had not booked any tours. Most of the other passengers alighted at Lons to do a walking tour of Cologne but we stayed on board. We happily read our books in the Lounge, watching the riverbanks slide by. By 12 most of the passengers had returned in time for lunch as we tied up just opposite the famous Cologne Cathedral. The weather was overcast and cool. We wondered where the hot summer had dissipated to, but we enjoyed our lunch on board. About 2-30 we decided to alight and see a little of the city. We were berthed near the huge Hollenzollern Bridge, on the opposite side of the river to the ... read more
Padlocks on the bridge
Statue on Hollenzohen Bridge
Inside the Cathedral

Europe » Netherlands » North Holland » Amsterdam July 31st 2023

On Saturday we woke early but waited until about 9-30 before setting out. Fletcher wanted to go to the Olympic stadium from 1928. We caught a train from the nearby Metro station into Centraal. Once there we sought directions from an attendant who told us which stop was closest to the place. It was back to the train and an eight stop voyage to the right place We alighted there and followed signs which led us to the stadium. It was not a very imposing facade and we were not able to enter as they were setting up for the Opening Ceremony of the World Gymnastics Championships which was on the next day. At least we can say we visited it. From there we caught a tram back into Central but got off just before and ... read more
Entrance to the Olympic stadium
As close as we got
Statue outside the stadium

Europe » Netherlands » North Holland » Amsterdam July 29th 2023

On Thursday, after breakfast we waited for rush hour to be over. While in our room we watched as one of the large ketch exited through the swing gates at St Katherine's Docks right beneath our window. Fascinating!! Wethen walked to Tower Hill Underground and went into Picadilly via Embankment. Our main aim was to visit the three main books stores and stock up as books are so much cheaper here. Emerging into Piccadilly Circus made me feel like I was really in London!! We strolled along Picadilly to Waterstones which is huge. Here we found several titles. From there to Hatchard's a beautiful old book shop where we browsed and bought a few more. By this time we were feeling our age and so much walking was getting to us but we soldiered on to ... read more
Fully opened and boat approaching
Picadilly Circus
Prawn linguine at Balan's




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