Blogs from Budapest, Central Hungary, Hungary, Europe - page 18

Around the afternoon we arrived at Budapest. As we were completely wasted we decided to sleep a bit before we explore the city. Our accommodation was on budget base, so were staying at a guest house with a shared living room and bathroom. We took a nap until 18:00 refreshed ourselves and went out. From our accommodation to the city center is approximately 40 minutes by foot. Since on our path there are many spots for sightseeing, and we didn't want to search for a parking spot in the center, we went by foot. Walking next to the Danube which is dividing Buda and Pest, enjoying the nice view of the bridges and buildings, we felt some rain drops coming down. Time to look for shelter and perhaps combine it with dinner. Beside the Danube we ... read more

Geo: 47.4984, 19.0408 This is the second morning I've woken up in Hungary. Outside my window is ... the window of another boat. It is so close that if we could open these windows I could touch theirs, a very unpleasant docking. But those who have cabins on the other side are enjoying (at least I hope they are!) sunny views of the stunning Parliament building, overlooking the boat-crowded Danube. But soon I will leave to continue exploring Budapest; this is our last day here and I have so many things I want to see. Budapest's name came into being in 1873 when the three cities of Buda, Pest, and Obuda (Old Buda) joined into one large, lovely city, becoming the capital of Hungary. Buda is on the right bank of the Danube River, hilly, green, ... read more

Ranajky boli uz lepsie, pristatie v pohode. V istanbule som cakal rovnaky tranzit ako ked som siel do japonska ale nie, ludi nahnali do security prehliadky. Fakt mega rada. Po chvili prichadza jeden zriadenec letiska a naviguje ludi vratane mna k druhemu securiti vzdialeneho cca 100m od prveho. Tu uz nikoho ale samozrejme ako to u mna byva zvykom, vyberam si zlu radu a predomnou samy motaci. Sranda bola, ze odpadkovy kos bol plny gratis flaskovych vod co si nabrali ludia z lietadiel a tu to museli vyhodit, bo to malo viac ako je povolene. Securiti prechadzam, na letisku neskutocne vela ludi a to je este len skore rano okolo 5/00 sa mi zda. Pisem domov sms-ku aku znacku cigariet mam doniest. Jasne marlboro light. Mam naprt batoh tak ziadne velke pasovanie sa nebude diat ako ... read more

Photos........ read more

Budapest....what a remarkable city. Clearly the Hungarian spirit is indomitable, and there is a wonderful mix of ancient and modern architecture on display. A visit to 'The Hospital in the Rock', clearly illustrates how Hungarians refused to be defeated. This unique hospital, created within a labyrinth of ancient caves, beneath the Buda Castle district, was credited with saving thousands of lives during WW2, and again during the uprising against the Russians in 1956. Also, many Jewish citizens sought refuge in the caves, and were given fake identities, so they could escape the Nazi persecution. Highly recommended, and poignant, as we remembered our Anzacs yesterday. Good advice to use the Hop on Hop Off bus to get a feel for the city, and orientate ourselves, paid off...pity we had to sit upstairs, out in the open, in ... read more