What a day! Things didn’t go exactly according to plan, but then we’re used to that. Since we were up at 2 AM and didn’t get back to bed until after 3, we didn’t wake up as early as planned. Breakfast was served from 7 to 10 and we got up at 8:50. Kerry did a quick shower and we had plenty of time to enjoy our scrambled eggs with ham and cheese. I had a banana and we enjoyed the hot tea. They have a person to make your eggs any way you’d like so that was nice.
 |
| Kerry starting her shopping |
We packed up and checked out but stored our luggage at the hotel for the day. We asked directions to Szentendre and were on our way. We finally found the bus stop as he said straight thru the park but there were two parks and we weren’t on the same page. We could take the metro 19 or 41 to the HEV (train). Well, as usual we had to make some adjustments since we took the metro from a different park and overshot our stop, but we did eventually get on the right train going the right direction to Szentendre, which is a lovely artsy village of cobblestone streets along the Danube about 20 miles from Budapest. We thoroughly enjoyed a walk along the river and through the streets of the village where we perused many shops as well as leave behind out fair share of euros and florints. Kerry bought some beautiful amber jewelry and we got the cutest little hedgehog toothpick holders. We visited a marzipan museum where of course they sold marzipan and we had to do some serious candy shopping there. We made out way to the top of the hill in the center of town to an old church with wonderful views of the rooftops of the town. By then it was time to make our way back to the train and reverse our trip so we could pick up our luggage in time to board the Amadeus and get checked into our room.
 |
| Szentendre from hilltop |
The hardest part of the day was boarding the ship. We pulled our luggage the short distance to the ship but the traffic to cross over to the gangplank was not letting up. Finally with some help from a crew member we crossed one lane and then the cars stopped in the other. The other passengers were all watching from the lounge and everyone had to comment on the fact that they didn’t think we’d ever get across. And so began our week of notoriety.
 |
| Hungarian Folk Dancers |
 |
| View from our cabin window |
At 6:30 we attended the champagne toast to begin the trip and headed to dinner at 7. At dinner we sat at what we called our old table as it was in the same spot as the 6 of us had sat for every meal on our last trip. We met the nicest couple, Angela and Terry from South Africa and became quite close during our week of travel and meals together. Dinner was excellent. I chose the unusual shrimp cocktail, the soup which was a tomato broth with 2 cheesy balls in it and tortellini in a light white sauce and pork tenderloin with mixed veggies and risotto. Dessert was a delicious Hungarian Tiramisu. As on our last trip the wine kept coming for as long as you wanted.
 |
| Along street in Szentendre |
At 9 was a Hungarian folklore shore and then Kerry and I went on the deck to take some pictures as the boat was going on a night cruise and we were too tired to plan to stay up for all of it. I showered and then took some photos from our cabin window.
It was a great day, with great weather and great new friends!
No comments:
Post a Comment