1 to 9 Apr, 2022 - Bari, Budapest, Szentendre - (Italy, Hungary)
The stories are generally captured with the photos. With my birthday coming, we decided to head for a foreign celebration. Caught a train down to Bari, for one night, before flying out the following day.
Seafood Dinner, Bari
Not quite warm enough to dine sans layers. But a nice evening in Bari. Check that octopus!
Fresh Produce Stall, Bari
Fruit and veg for sale in the old town of Bari.
A solid week in Budapest, for my birthday. Marina and Akos, who cat-sat for us in Richmond a number of times in years gone by, very generously housed us in their apartment, taking time where possible to show us one hell of a good Hungarian time. (Note: reference to hell not entirely random - keep an eye out for their palinka, soon to be available in Australia, marketed under the name of "Pergatory".)
Morning One in Budapest
Arriving in Budapest, we were graciously hosted in the apartment of Marina and Akos. They said snow was in the forecast, and we woke to the fresh layer. This will probably be our last snowfall for this winter.
Wood-fired Stove on an Old Train
Marina and Akos planned a wonderful Sunday for us. The cold and snow only added to the atmosphere and overall enjoyment. - We walked from their apartment to a point where we caught the children's railway - a train service staffed by children, who rotate in teams to keep the system running. Finding a lit stove in our carriage was a nice bonus.
Young Ticket Inspectors
The children come through, performing their duties of checking and punching our tickets. In broken English, and using Marina and Akos to translate the rest, we learn about the duties they perform as volunteers on the railway. How often they work, and how much they enjoy being involved in the gyermekvasut. Truly, this was a memorable ride.
Striking Out for our Walk
Fresh snow about, Richard and Akos, heading through suburban streets, to get to the walking trails through the forest.
Jo and Marina, Busy with a Selfie
At the Fisherman's Bastion
The Danube river, and Budapest Parliament, from Fisherman's Bastion, Buda.
Akos Brought Us to One of His Lunch Haunts
Meat, pickles, bread. Cheap and easy. What more do you need for lunch?
Wine Bar
Not what you might expect, when using the name wine bar. The majority of wines here cost a pittance, and are ladled from pots into jugs for easier pouring. The barman is also the chef, and has been running the establishment for many years. Akos used to come here in his university days.
Posh Coffee Stop
Our third time in Budapest, and our third visit to Café Gerbeaud. Full of style and character that spans scores of decades, it is a highlight treat to stop in.
Inside the Budapest Opera Building
Akos still has friends working with the recently renovated opera house, and through those connections, we were given tickets to see Mefistofele. Second row, centre, in a magnificent world renowned venue. Amazing.
Foyer, Budapest Opera House
Statues in Hero's Square
The rear part of Hero's Square is lined with statues of notable Kings, and plaques depicting memorable acts they are remembered for. Acts of service or benevolence, or power and strength, but all seen as contributions to what Hungary is today.
Vajdahunyad Castle, Budapest
Housing a couple of museums, an interesting castle to visit and walk around.
Church Entry in Vajdahunyad Castle
Inside Parliament Building, Budapest
We can't believe that we did not do a tour of this building until this trip. It was a worthwhile visit indeed, despite needing to do it in Spanish. The Italian tour was full, and the English ones were at inconvenient times.
Assembly Hall, Budapest Parliament
Brunch - So Good, We Thought We were in Melbourne
A Budapest birthday brunch. We have been missing this sort of morning dining experience, and so, for my birthday, jumped at the opportunity to have a mid morning slap up.
Leaving the Rudas Baths Complex
We visited the Rudas baths (Rudas Gyógyfürdő és Uszoda) for a few hours of relaxing and soaking at various temperatures. In most of the historic bath area it is forbidden to take photos, so a memory photo as we left will have to do;
Dinner at Stand25
Dinner at the Michelin restaurant, Stand25, for my birthday. A fantastic modern take on traditional Hungarian cuisine.
We squeezed in one day trip out of Budapest.
View Over Szentendre, Hungary
Not far from Budapest, and easily reached by train, Szentendre made a great day trip.
Play Time
The school was facing on this area outside the church, and we can only assume that it was play time. The kids kicked balls, and enjoyed games of "chasie", and a couple of weary looking adults, presumably teachers, watched on.
Langos
Essentially, Langos is fried bread topped with sour cream, garlic, and cheese.
Chimney Cake
Imagine a light dough, wrapped layer by layer in a long spiral on a fat piece of wood, cooked over charcoal, and sprinkled with cinnamon and icing sugar. There you have it, chimney cake.
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