The Rest in Budapest

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The return to Budapest meant a re-entry into the world of modern conveniences (flushing toilets and hot showers) and gave us a final chance to remove the last lodged bits of mud and dirt from our bodily orifices.

Freshly scrubbed clean, gleaming skin that mum would be proud of - we met up with our paddling mates for a farewell dinner, that was cooked in more than one pot and didn’t consist of Nutella or paprika! It was almost hard to recognise each other without the requisite swimsuit, sunglasses and lashings of mud we normally donned for paddling.

We spent a week bumming around Budapest (although we like to refer to it as much needed R&R after all the physical exertion of the prior week), attending the Sziget music festival, Turkish baths, wandering around the usual tourist sites,and moving to a chilled out hostel on the park that is Margaret Island.

Sziget is held on the normally vacant Obudai island, and for a week the island becomes the home to wicked art installations (check out the pictures of the Luminarium !), sacred spaces, mad festivelers, awesome music, good weather and great sounds. More than just music, there’s plenty to keep you occupied from yoga, to salsa dancing, reiki, games, museums, and arts and crafts, and there’s plenty of beer on offer too.

The Szechenyi baths are a bit of a Budapest institution famed for their therapeutic properties, magnificient Neo-Baroque architecture, and scorching hot pools. We tried our stamina in the 45-55 degree sauna - turns out we’re not as tough as most Hungarians!

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Photos

Through the Rabbit Hole
Looking through to a "Pod" in the Luminarium

The Tin Man
They constructed this guy out of beer cans and danced him through the crowd. Q"Where are You?" A"Dancing underneath the Tin Man"

Ah, Music!
Mainstage, Sziget

Attendant opening our "Cabin"
These are private little changing rooms at the pools ...

Inside the Change Room
... as you can see they're pretty small!

Smart Shower!
This guy had a watering can for his own personal shower so he wouldn't have to queue! Genius!

Comments

[Tracey Evans]

Ahh Budapest
I loved it there, still plan to take Darren at some point. On the list of places to visit. You sound as if you are having a great time.

[Kat]

I think I say this every time I comment but I am so jealous!!! Definately did not sped enough time in this part of the world. In fact i think I spent most of my time in Hungary in the embassy for the Cheq Republic trying to get my visa! Love the picture of the Luminarium. Where are you headed next?

[Murray]

Only 55C??
Just back from Budapest tonight after spending the morning at the Szechenyi baths - great place. We lasted 5 mins in the 75C sauna, and you bailed at only 55C. Wimps!!

[Frog]

Camping in Ngambie
Hi Dave and Suz! Go Hawkes! What a game and soopa result, loved it! Buddy won B&F on weekend. Kruzy's 40th on weekend so missed PI GP, but who cares the party was a balltearer! He held it on the 200 acre family farm out the back of Ngambie. We all camped o/night (some with campervans) and partied up the hill at the 120+ yo farm house (awsesome) until 4:00am...singing, dancing, jamin', boozn' and lots of laughs. Everyone wanted to know where u guys were and wot u been doin - so I updated them as much as I could. All say"hi" and send luv®ards, the girls send congrats to Suz for "getting her rman". Missing you both heaps (u r looking fab Suz!) and can't wait to see you both again. Luv Frog!