Geo: 47.4984, 19.0408Our train arrived at Budapest station around 8.45am on Tuesday morning. Despite it being a fun adventure travelling in a rail cabin, sleep opportunity was minimal and we stepped onto the platform rather tired and drained, almost feeling jet lagged. All in all, our arrival here didn't feel particularly friendly or welcome. We were heckled by cab drivers and the people seemed a bit cold and dismissive to us, well more than usual. It was hellish finding an ATM, the metro with misguiding signs, and directions to our hotel. When buying rail passes, the vendor short changed us. Eventually, after some wandering and a brutal uphill climb, we found our way to our hotel by around 10.30. Check in wasn't available for a couple hours, so we left our bags and went for a ... read more

Geo: 50.0553, 19.92741,100,000 people died here. They were murdered; shot, starved, tortured, beaten, experimented on, hung or gassed. These were innocent people. Farmers, electricians, bakers, friends, fathers, women and children. Its really hard to get your head around it. The evidence is there, despite desperate attempts by the Nazis to remove it. Its just incomprehensible to understand how such depraved cruelty could be implemented and enforced on such a tremendous scale. It wasn't just the extermination of people, human beings, based on a flawed racist ideology. It was how so many were involved, so many enforced it with such vigor, enthusiasm and evil. We booked a guided tour today, which was really well organized. They picked us up, dropped us off, and guided a group of around 20 through both Auschwitz (I) and Auschwitz-Birkenau (II). Considering ... read more

Geo: 49.9041, 18.3575Its 3.41am. Our train is delayed at a place called Bohumin, somewhere near the border of Poland. The estimated delay has been increased from 14 minutes to 60 minutes. Sleep isn't really a realistic option, though there are people giving it a go, around me, sitting, slouched, lying on the floor, by my feet, in doorways and the corridor. Its hot. The train reeks of dry sweat, body odour, feet and general filth. There are eight of us crammed to a 'cabin.' Theres not enough space for eight people to be comfortable in here with luggage. Having said all that, it could have been even worse. The six others we share this aromatic nightmare with are all decent reasonable people. Theyre all around our age, an American guy, two English girls, a french guy ... read more

Geo: 50.0878, 14.4205Have no particularly special association. Rather, the title of this blog reflects a change of hotel and the main attraction of the last couple of days. We initially booked three nights in Prague. We liked it here so much, we decided to stay longer. Alas, by the time we had made this decision, there was no future availability at Barcelo Five. So we found a new hotel. The King Charles Hotel was walking distance away, so we picked it. The walk wasn't too confusing, taking us over a rickety rail bridge to our new home for the next 3 nights. The room is excellent; Old English decor, TV, nice shower, comfy bed and air condit... uh oh. Staff advised us that the air conditioning was destroyed by recent floods. They bought up a portable, ... read more

Geo: 50.0878, 14.4205After a week in Germany with Marielle, we parted ways at Hofbahnhof station. Friday the 2nd of August meant goodbye Marielle, goodbye Jas and Matt, goodbye Munich, goodbye Germany. It also meant hello to a new city and a new country. We waved Marielle off on her DB train at 2.50, bound eventually to Brussels to meet her family. The week had flown by, with lots of fun times in Berlin and Munich.For Nat and I, at 3.50, we had a bus to catch bound for Prague in the Czech Republic. It was a bit of a challenge finding our bus, but what a bus it was! Better than a plane or train. Leather seats, TV screens, service, allocated seats and heaps of leg room. Alas, our seats were in front of a bunch ... read more