Hungarian Parliament

July 12 Budapest, Hungary

Nice to have breakfast in.

Off to Parliament Buildings for a tour. Amazing place, it is huge and ornate! Much bigger than any parliament buildings I have seen. They also have the royal crown on display, even though they do not have a royal family. The PM is elected by the public and a President the is appointed by the elected government.
The guards in front of the parliament also have a formal process for changing. I have no idea how they stand still in the sun and heat. At least they wear sunglasses.

Museum - Avita

Then toured through the Museum of Ethnography. This is the former Ministry of Justice building that apparently was used in the filming of Avita.
Then a to a temporary memorial to those who died during the protest against the government in 1956. This happen in front of the parliament buildings as well. Shocking what went on and also the similarity to other events.

Video of concert in St STephens

Then to St Stephen's Cathedral. For a short visit and then back later for the Duna String orchestra concert. 7 violins, cello and base. It was excellent, and you can not beat the venue!

Also enjoyed a great americano! You would think that I am only traveling for the coffee but not true, I just tend to take coffee breaks!

Chain (Lanchid)Bridge over Danube

July 11 Budapest, Hungary

Breakfast of peanut butter and banana. Great. It has been over a month since a breakfast like that. Tomatoes and cucumbers just were not doing it!

Off to the Castle hill today in the Buda, the other side of the river. The Buda Castle Hill area.

Caught the tram to the Lanchid Bridge and walk across it. Beautiful sights of river and buildings along the river.

Palace

 Then caught the funicular tram up the hill to the Castle (Palace) area. It sits high on a a hill over looking the river and the Pest side of the city. The buildings are really nice. Lots of stone and many are fairly recently rebuilt, at least since WWII. This is such a change from Asia and Istanbul.

Went into the Labyrinth. A series of natural caves under the Palace area.The caves go on for ever, about 10 km of known caves. The have been used since BC. Now a bit of a museum where apparently Dracula was imprisoned for a while. Eerie music and fake smoke added to effect. Quite interesting.

Labyrinth

There was also a pitch black tunnel. You could not see anything. Totally weird. One time my hand dropped down and the peak of my hat stopped me from running into a wall!
Then went to the Fisherman's bastion. Great views over the the Pest side across the river.

Below this was an underground church that was showing a 3D movie about the history of Hungry. They have a difficult past being conquered and control over several hundred years. The central position on the river makes it very strategic.

Remaining church window

Then took a tour of Magdelna Tower. An old temple that was destroyed during WWII and the bell tower has just been opened to the public a couple of years ago. Nice as I got a private tour from a young guy that has a law degree. Apparently it is difficult to find jobs.

Then took a hospital in the rock tour. This is a hospital built into the side of the rock and does meet up with the caves.

Fisherman's Bastion

It was built for civilians injured during the air raids, but ended up for soldiers as well. Recommissioned during the uprising in 1956 and then again during Cuban missile crisis as a nuclear safe zone.
Then a quick walk around the grounds of the former palace. A great area. Lots of tourists around. One of the top 10.

Out for dinner at a local place along the street. Doner, with spicy salad and potatoes. Great food, but way too much.

July 10 Budapest, Hungary

Off to Budapest, Hungry this morning. Only a 2 hour flight with a half full airplane. Turkish airlines does a great job of service.

Arrived in Budapest and found it cool.... it is 25 degrees..... it is all relative. Amazing the difference. Got checked in and talk about luxury! 2 bedrooms, small kitchen and 1 1/2 baths! We are a bit out of the main area but it is only a couple of metro stops away.

Relaxed a bit and then out to wander the neighbourhood. Such a drastic change in weather but also in culture. Old European now, with more churches! Just around the corner are a few small pubs and a few shops. There is a shopping mall across the street.

Went to a small pub recommended by front desk. In the basement, small and quiet. We were the only ones for a while. I had "gypsy roast", which is a thin slice of pork fried and covered in garlic. Tasted great! The roasted vegetables were great as well. Then into mall to the super market. Huge place, and civilized! Beer and wine, and even on sale! Beer....about 80 cents a can! Wine well you can get a bottle for a couple of dollars. We just picked up some breakfast stuff!
We did not do much but still relaxed a lot. But that is ok.