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. 

Wednesday 5/13 continued

We arrived at our hotel in Esztergom, Hungary later in the afternoon. Dinner is on our own tonight. We went to a mediterranian restaurant suggested by our trip leaders. I had lamb that was nicely prepared, Ken had a steak that was okay. The one the night before was better. 

Sites of the Basillica in the night lights was beautiful 

A few pictures along our path to get here. The river is the 

Danube River

Ken's and my walk after dinner on Wednesday. 

Hungary's Versaille, Making Strudel and riding downhill fast.

Today we rode to Hungary's Versailles'.  It is an old castle and beautiful grounds that are being worked on to renovate them. John Hayden played here at the age of 9 y/o.

Our next adventure was learning how to make Strudel.  I had it videotaped, but it says the file is too big. Will have to work on that one. 

5/11/15 Bratislava to Teifalusziget

The Group getting ready for the morning ride - in the streets outside our first hotel in Brataslavia.


Second day of riding - 23.7 miles. mostly on bike paths but some on roads. Many people bike here, so drivers are used to and considerate of riders. We rode along a dike for some time. Again heard a Cukoo  bird, but did not see it. Stopped for tasting of Palinka - a very high end schnapps - All the fruits used are grown in Hungary - we were supposed to taste 4, but we ended up tasting 5 - 40% proof - Wow. Blueberry, sour cherry, Apricot and raspberry were the Palinka - the 5th was pineapple and is not consider palinka as it is not grown in Hungary.

Bottles of Palinka and their championship ribbons. 

The owner pouring one of the tasting of Palinka - Remember 40% proof. 

This is me at the border of Slovakia / Hungary - no need to show your passport - Just cross over. This is the EU sign on the top and the Hungarian flag below it. There are agreements between most European Union Countries that you can pass from one to another with no passport checks. 

The Slovakian flag from the other side. 

Tuesday 5/12/15 - On our next leg - the Picnic lunch

We are lined up and going down the road. Many fields being farmed. They are ahead of us by about 6 weeks oin growth. Can't identify it all, but they have had the first cutting of one of the grains. Others are up and growing well. Saw soy beans. Flowers are also in full bloom. 

Van stop along the way for water refills and snacks - yes that is a police car - He just happened to stop next to our van/trailer- he was actually after another guy who pulled over for some moving violation. 

This gentleman was in the park where we were  having our picnic lunch. as you look at the memorial statue below  - he is in it. I should have taken another shot as he is right behind where I a sitting. This memorial is about the tearing down of the communist wall. For Hungary - it occurred at this spot and this gentleman was one who helped to take that wall down. He knew some english - but one of our guides help to relay the rest of his story. He was very happy to have his picture taken with me. His wife also took the picture with her camera for them. 

A visit to the city Sopron - This wall has been built and added to on three different occasions over the years. It is a pivotal city for Hungary - they voted to stay as part of Hungary rather than become part of Austria. 

The City water tower. 

Pulpit in the Blessed Mary Church, Also known at the Goat Church - as the story goes, this land was once grazing land for Shepards - This Shepard had his goats grazing and this goat kept pawing at the ground until he dug up a pot of money - much money. Th Shepard being a a religious man, gave the money to the church to build this church.  This is also a church on the route for the annual pilgrimage in honor of Mary.

Ken and I along with 4 others took the long route home today. We did a total of 40.6 miles which included hills and a head wind. The other 12 took a van back to the hotel for a sit in the thermal pool. 

I saw this field and had to take a shot - the yellow flowers is a field of Canola - Yes planted to be cultivated. The white grows wild and it Chammomile - the red/orange of course are poppies. 

So goes the day - for Tuesday - All for now.