Sunday 051715 and Monday 051815

Sunday we traveled from outside of Budapest to the center of Budapest to our final hotel. The ride was only 11 miles but it was a difficult one to navigate, so Suzy one of our guides served as mother duck and lead the group. Tom, one of our participants served as sweep this time. 

A sculpture in the city of Aquincum. There are 4 statues in the spot. 

Margaret Island, just before entering Budapest. This is the fountain, there is a water park and water polo practice pool and an olympic swimming pool all on this wonderful island. No cars allowed. 

Our first view of the Buda Castle while we were biking into Budapest. 

Monday May 18

After a sleep in and long sleep - we felt better refreshed this morning. But we walked a lot today. Went to Buda Castle, the Citadel, St. Stephens Basilica and the Central Market. Rode the subway, a city bus and the Hop on / Hop off tourist bus to get where we needed to go or just for fun . Also took an hour river cruise on the Danube. 

St. Stephens Basilica - while it  is not a large as the other basilica we visited. I think this one is prettier. More gold and just gorgeous.

We also took a lift to the tower of the basilica. 

 A panoramic view from the top of the basilica.

 Budapest behind us.

The Citadel in the offing - that is our next stop. 

One of the entry arches into the Citadel

 Panoramic view from the Citadel.

A selfie with one of 4 bridges behind us. We are in Buda - that is Pest across the river. The Danube River. 

 Buda Castle as we crossed the river to get to it.

The Statue of Liberty for Buda - at the Citadel. She holds a feather. Central Market - a huge indoor market in Buda: the main floor is all foods - meat shops and Paprika and more paprika, it is everywhere. 

 A view of the market from the upper level.

 Ken rehydrating with a fresh squeezed blood orange juice.

A preview of the Parliment - we tour that on Tuesday. This view is from our 1 hour river cruise today. 

A Russian monument along the river.

Ken's receipt from the Toilet - 180 forints - About $1.25 to use a public bathroon - that was cheaper than the one I used at Buda Castle which was 280 forints. 

All for tonight. 

Skanzen Museum and the Village of Szentendre - Saturday

Started the day taking a van to a location in a forest. There we had a 1 mile ascent that was rather steep, followed by a 5 mile descent through the forest. They had had an ice storm this winter that took trees down through the forest, so there is evidence of logging in the process. 

The most common wildflower that is in a bush form is honeysuckle - you smell it everywhere. 

Wanted to help you understand what the downhill ride was like. 

I will have to work on the short video and place it here later. Here is a still photo. 

On to Skanzen Museum

Replications of villages that were present in Hungary from 16th to 19th century. Some were peasant villages, the richer persons, churches and a tanners and boot maker. 

I have never seen hairy pigs.... Yes they had hair. 

  A very small 17th century church in a very small village. 

The inside of the church - not sure how they knelt in the pews, they were very close. 

The bedroom of the parents in a more affluent home.

 Most of the room heaters/stoves were just plain white - this one is quite ornate. 

The kitchen stove = all wood stoves. 


On to the village of Szentendre.

 Greek Orthodox church that now is only a museum.

The skinniest street in the town. 

Time for dinner. All for now

Today we left Nagymoros and biked for a bit then took a 90 minute boat ride down the Danube. Visited a small town of Vac. 
There is a bakery there that has won several awards for their creations. Guess we had to try them. 

It sort of made up for the weather which was 58 degrees and a little drizzle for a bit. Rain gear out. Chilly. 

 Also one last view of the Basilica as we got ready to sail down the Danube. 

Our next stop was at a horse farm where we got to see a horse show and then had lunch at the restaurant. One Hungarian dish we kept hearing about was Garlic Soup-we got to taste that today. 

 Cracking a whip  to where is sounded like a gun shot. 

They teach the horse how to lie down, hence they  could use them to rest on. Click the arrow to see a short video.

I also got a ride in the chariot and on one of the horses. 

Then off to our next hotel: Weather warmed up a little, but the sun never shined. Dinner on our own tonight so we went exploring with another couple along the Danube to find a place to eat. 

Off to the Forest for lunch 05/14/15

Thursday May 14, 2015

Today we rode to the ferry  - went back and forth from Hungary to Slovakia and back into Hungary again. 

We saw a castle ruins where the family name was Dracula - and a woman named Elizabeth liked to bath in the blood of pheasants (that is a lot of  Pheasants). This was an unplanned side trip because we were so fast getting to this location, prior to going to the forest. (Really we were )

Lunch was in Nemzeti Park - a forest. A Caterer was waiting for us. He had two Hungarian stews on a camp fire waiting for us. 

Some pictures along the way. 

 A Couple of our fellow bikers heading for lunch. 

Now for Lunch:

 Our caterer serving up our Hungarian Stew.

 Served with Potatoes, great pickles and a slice of bread. 

Dessert was a cake with a pudding like center, smothered in chocolate and topped with whipped cream. An absolute explosion of calories - We really should do the next leg of riding but I really want to see the inside of the Basillica - but those pictures will have to wait, because it is time to eat again!!!!!

Here are two pictures inside the Basilica. We were not allowed to go up into the top with a view of the city as there was a storm coming. We fortunately were still in the Basilica  - otherwise we would have been on the additional bike ride getting soaked to say nothing of being out in the weather with thunder and lightening. 

Dinner tonight was a group affair - Choice of Fried Pork filet (Ken), Chicken stuffed with cheese and asparagus (Helen) or Pork Breast - that is what the menu said - haha - Pork Ribs.  

Once again wonderful food.