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Tuesday 22 June 2014 Budapest
Cloudy with patchy rain 22C
We had tickets to tour the new Parliament building at 10am, so we left the apartment around 9.30 to walk there. Despite some confusing directions, we managed to get ourselves to the tour kick-off (note World Cup reference) point on time to join a group of english speaking tourists waiting for the same tour.
At the entry into the building we went through a scanning machine and mugshots were taken. The tour went for 45 mins and took us through some of the main rooms of the north wing of the Parliament which is a copy of the south wing and gave us a good idea of the overall layout.
The most visual part of the tour was the Holy Crown of Hungary situated under the 96 metre-high central dome of the building. It was in a glass case flanked by two Hungarian guards with swords drawn. I half expected James Bond to come rappelling down from the ceiling, snatch the crown and exit stage left with said crown in briefcase.... Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos.
The tour guide was accompanied by 2 Hungarian Guards that were there to make sure no one strayed from the party. The few time someone wandered off, a call of "allooo, allooo" resounded around our party as they beckoned them back into the group.
After the excitement of the tour we walked up the Danube to Margaret Island to have a look at the Margaret Bridge and the park lands on the island. There was a fabulous fountain which had a display on the ¼ hour and on the hour had a special display to music. We sat and watched the fountain "mit MUsik" then stroll through the park to see the tennis courts and some of the buildings which seemed to include beer houses and cafe's, It was starting to sprinkle so we set off towards our apartment. On the way we came across a café which looked to have excellent coffee so decided to try it out. Not too bad!
We also passed by a restaurant which had been recommended by Ildiko (friend living in Budapest) called Cafe Kor and we booked in for tonight. As the rain was starting to fall we set off for the apartment and bought lunch on the way.
By late afternoon it began to fine up so we went for a walk down to the river to check out first our train station which we need to exit from on Friday. We took a stroll up Andrassy Boulevard as far as the Main Boulevard then returned taking photos of the Opera House and other beautiful buildings.
Dinner at Cafe Kor was very nice, it was very popular so we were glad we had booked. The dishes we chose were delicious and the waiters were very attentive and pleasant.
After dinner we strolled down to the Danube and took photos of the Castle, Gresham Palace and the Chain Bridge lit up. It is now a beautiful evening and the rain has gone.
Cloudy with patchy rain 22C
We had tickets to tour the new Parliament building at 10am, so we left the apartment around 9.30 to walk there. Despite some confusing directions, we managed to get ourselves to the tour kick-off (note World Cup reference) point on time to join a group of english speaking tourists waiting for the same tour.
At the entry into the building we went through a scanning machine and mugshots were taken. The tour went for 45 mins and took us through some of the main rooms of the north wing of the Parliament which is a copy of the south wing and gave us a good idea of the overall layout.
The most visual part of the tour was the Holy Crown of Hungary situated under the 96 metre-high central dome of the building. It was in a glass case flanked by two Hungarian guards with swords drawn. I half expected James Bond to come rappelling down from the ceiling, snatch the crown and exit stage left with said crown in briefcase.... Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos.
The tour guide was accompanied by 2 Hungarian Guards that were there to make sure no one strayed from the party. The few time someone wandered off, a call of "allooo, allooo" resounded around our party as they beckoned them back into the group.
After the excitement of the tour we walked up the Danube to Margaret Island to have a look at the Margaret Bridge and the park lands on the island. There was a fabulous fountain which had a display on the ¼ hour and on the hour had a special display to music. We sat and watched the fountain "mit MUsik" then stroll through the park to see the tennis courts and some of the buildings which seemed to include beer houses and cafe's, It was starting to sprinkle so we set off towards our apartment. On the way we came across a café which looked to have excellent coffee so decided to try it out. Not too bad!
We also passed by a restaurant which had been recommended by Ildiko (friend living in Budapest) called Cafe Kor and we booked in for tonight. As the rain was starting to fall we set off for the apartment and bought lunch on the way.
By late afternoon it began to fine up so we went for a walk down to the river to check out first our train station which we need to exit from on Friday. We took a stroll up Andrassy Boulevard as far as the Main Boulevard then returned taking photos of the Opera House and other beautiful buildings.
Dinner at Cafe Kor was very nice, it was very popular so we were glad we had booked. The dishes we chose were delicious and the waiters were very attentive and pleasant.
After dinner we strolled down to the Danube and took photos of the Castle, Gresham Palace and the Chain Bridge lit up. It is now a beautiful evening and the rain has gone.
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