Budapest -> London
Highlight
- Slept slightly better, but not much.
- Hotter again today.
- Started at St Stephen’s Basilica. There seemed to be a funeral on so we couldn’t see much of it.
- Walked down a bit of the Vaci utca. Buildings were nice but shops not that interesting.
- Great Synagogue – nice but you had to pay to go in, so we didn’t bother.
- Walked down Andrassy ut, admired the embassy and mansions, before reaching Hero’s Square – nice statues, which led to the very nice City Park. As usual, Allie slept through it all and missed out on all the green space and all the cool art on the lake.
- Did the rest of Adrassy Ut, more fine building including the foyer of the State Opera House.
- Walked some of the Jewish quarter. It was actually quite run down. The run down synagogue also costs money . All did have a pre-war atmosphere about it.
- Last stop, the Nagyesarnok (the Great Market). A bit touristy and all the shops were selling the same thing. Got some paprika sausage but that was the extend of it.
- Upstairs at the market they have food stalls. Lots of Hungarian specialties, but the quality was disappointing.
- We shopped at the supermarket instead, where all the Paprika tubes were all much cheaper.
- Back to hotel for the usual pick up, then metro and bus ride to the airport, which was smooth again.
- Can’t believe I am saying that BA is much better.
- Had to put up with crap on return to London - >we had to circle twice at Heathrow, then had to catch a bus, then had to line up at Immigration with no speed up for kids.
- Ended up being 9:30 by the time we got on the tube.
Food
- Hilton breakfast:
- salmon, herring, cheese cold cuts
- bircher muesli, fresh fruit
- scrambled eggs, goulash, mushroom, hash brown, bread, croissant
- bean soup
- langos – jam and poppy seed
- stuffed cabbage
- plum tart
- poppy seed and cream cheese tart
- BA flight:
- prawn, rocket and mayo roll
Budapest
Highlight
- Couldn’t sleep because of snoring. Had a leisurely usual Hilton breakfast.
- Weather was much cooler today. Walked to admire the Hungarian Parliament.
- Took a long time to figure out how to get up Gellert Hill by public transport.
- We managed to walk past the Gellert Hotel with its thermal bath and nice architecture
- Finally go to the top to see the Citadella (ugly but the views were good). The liberty monument (monumental). We walked down instead of trying to catch more transport – couldn’t avoid all the stairs though.
- More public transport to Castle Hill. Lots more tourists milling about. 1st stop, Royal Palace, but only for the beer festival. We couldn’t choose the free beer so didn’t get to try any Hungarian brews.
- There were not that many people there yet, so we got some food and chilled with the music.
- Walked to Mathius Church and Fishermen’s Bastion. Very good view across to Pest.
- Back to the beef festival, now there are lots of people. Returned my mug and ate at 21 Hungarian Kitchen.
- Enjoyed the simple well-cooked food. Allie didn’t really enjoy the paprika goulash.
- Went to enjoy the lighted scene after dinner – even nicer with less people about.
Food
- Hilton breakfast:
- salmon, herring, cheese cold cuts
- bircher muesli, fresh fruit
- scrambled eggs, goulash, mushroom, hash brown, bread, croissant
- Beer festival:
- Heineken
- Z beer
- roll cake
- fresh potato chips
- 21 Hungarian Kitchen:
- Goulash soup
- Hungarian fish soup
- cold potato and cod soup
- roast duck liver with cabbage slaw and fried dough
- duck foie gras with raspberry and brioche
London -> Budapest
Highlight
- Smooth bus and train to the airport.
- Plane was delayed, there was no explanation. The air hostess didn’t say anything at all. Probably one of the worst airlines I’ve flown.
- After a bus and train ride and then a long walk to the hotel in the heat. We had to wait for the room also. By the time we could go about, it was getting to 3:30pm.
- Walked to get some food, but ended up visiting a local market/festival with music and free bread, free water and cake!
- Had a very nice Hungarian Jewish cake.
- Went on a long long walk to Margaret Island. Could’ve caught a bus but Slokky was too stupid.
- After 45 mins of walking we finally reached Palatinus Strand. Took forever to get tickets, then we couldn’t figure out the locker system. Turns out you have to go upstairs, men and women have separate buildings, and you have to ask an attendant to lock your locker for you.
- By the time we were ready to swim, we only had half hour left.
- With Allie it meant we could really only go to 2 of all the pools since only these were the warm ones. It was fun, but we didn’t get to use the wave machine, the water slides or the play equipment. It was getting colder anyway as we had to leave.
- After changing, headed to Onyx for dinner. Very formal and attentive, and nice décor. The food was def on par with the décor and was excellent.
- Walked along the river to observe the night scene.
Food
- Hungarian airlines flight:
- salami sandwich
- cheese sandwich
- Festival:
- Hungarian Jewish cake – apple, poppy
- cream cheese strudel
- cream cheese cake
- paprika and onion bread
- baked bread with sour cream, salami and pickled onions
- Onyx:
- cucumber soup
- fish tartare, brown breadcrumbs
- Goose liver torte with raspberry gelée and caramelized goose liver parfait, brioche
- Lamb soup with loin, tongue; green bean purée and tarragon foam
- Tenderloin and confit shoulder of beef with slices of marinated goose liver served with celeriac purée
- Veal Variations: medium-rare roast tenderloin; tripe with harissa and sugar peas; crispy leg with green pea purée
- 21st century Somló sponge cake
- Cherry, white chocolate, olive
- mojito, cake and cream
- raspberry and apricot , dark chocolate and macha choc crunch
