Thursday, June 13, 2013

2. European River Cruise - Interrupted...

27th, 28th, 29th May 2013:

We had a couple of days to explore Budapest before getting on the Avalon Panorama.

The city has a very good Hop On/Hop Off tourist bus and boat system. Buy a ticket and you can get on and off the buses or boats as often as you like for 48 hours. The buses have plug in headphones with a commentary in a language of your choice. It was pretty good.

The Hilton Hotel in Budapest has a "castle" out the back, overlooking the Danube and Budapest. http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/hungary/hilton-budapest-hotel-BUDHITW/index.html

The parapet wall has an open air restaurant and on this day had a string orchestra playing.




Adjacent to the Hilton is a church. The Matthias Church (see info here: http://visitbudapest.travel/guide/budapest-attractions/matthias-church/ ) was undergoing some renovations.



It had the most beautiful tiled roof. Just look at the detail. Beautiful.
 
 

The view over the city from the castle parapets and towers behind the hotel were excellent.



Take note of the water level in the river. Things were going to change.....
 
 
 
This was the view in the evening, looking down the funicular railway to the Danube.

 

On the Hop On/Hop Off boat we passed our Avalon boat, the Panorama, tied up next to a sister ship, waiting for us.



Back on the bus, Edward rang and said they were at the New York Café having Pina Coladas and beer. That was good enough for me. Robyn and I hopped off and joined them.

What a place! http://budapest.boscolohotels.com/restaurant-and-bar/



  
Later that evening we went over the road from the Hilton and had a pizza at a small restaurant. It was very nice washed down by a couple of beers. 
 


Edward discovered this Hospital in a Rock which is now a museum. It was a very interesting tour. http://visitbudapest.travel/arts-entertainment/budapest-museums/hospital-in-the-rock-museum/

 
 
In the afternoon of Wednesday 29th May we joined all the other passengers at another hotel and then were bussed to the Panorama. This was the start of our European River Cruise.


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