Going East...... to Budapest!

Last Saturday Sara, Lacey, Manda and I all went to Budapest! Hungary wasn’t a country high on my “to do” list when I came here but I am so glad we decided to fly east and explore this city because it was definitely worthwhile!

Upon arriving we didn’t have any expectations of the city. The bus and metro ride to our hostel was average and once we found the hostel they informed us they didn’t have a bed for us… turns out that was good news! We got put in an apartment for the same price so we had 5 beds, couches, a bathroom and a kitchen for 10 euros each, bargain!

Seeing as time had gotten away from us we decided to take a walk and explore. We ended up on the Buda side of the Danube River and decided to take a venicular (?) ride to the top of the hill and have a look at Buda Castle. Wow! It was amazing, we were really lucky in the fact that it was dusk when we got there so we got to see the city transform as all the lights came on – it was beautiful. That night we also got to go to a great restaurant a few blocks from our place and were impressed with Hungarian cuisine.


An early start on Sunday as Sara had to go home we decided to head to Parliament, Hungarys crown jewels are kept here and we wanted to have a look! Sadly though the guards weren’t letting anyone in unless they had a reservation. It made us believe that the peaceful riots that occurred here last week were having a lasting effect and the staff were being cautious – not to worry though the building for parliament was enough as it was so grand that we got the general idea. After then walking across the city we ended up at the House of Terror. A museum that sits in the Nazi headquarters building which later became the Communist Partys office. Inside there was videos on the horror that occurred during both these periods and even real cells and torture chambers in the basement – it was informative and moving to see all that was here as it was so recent, the Iron Curtain didn’t come down until 1989 and just now Hungary is slowly starting to rebuild itself even becoming part of the EU in 2004 which is promising.

Luckily we then opted for a more happy site and visited the Budapest spring festival which was markets with traditional food and lots of novelty things.

Since Sara went home later that night we then got new room mates who we made friends with. One guy named Richard wanted to hang out with us so we decided to go to a bar across town. It was an experience. Manda and Lacey liked it but that is only because they didn’t have to witness the bathrooms (I had to wash my hands with a hose… need I say more?) But it was fun and its always nice to have a drink with friends and meet new people. We then had dinner at about midnight and crashed!

Our days were so jam-packed! Amandas last day was Monday and we had plenty to do before she left, so another early start and we walked up Gaelic Hill. Right besides Buda Castle it offered another amazing view and the day was clear so we took lots of photos. There was also more markets on the top so I got some Hungarian secret boxes for Kim, Kate and I and also a pashmina… you can never have too many scarves!!

After lunch at the markets we then headed over to City Park and went to the thermal spas! A must-do in Hungary as they are everywhere! We went to the recommened one as there was supposedly not as many old people at this particular one but I have to say it must have been ‘jerry’s day out’ because we were by far among the minority! A range of indoor and outdoor pools to chose from we spent most of the time in the warm out door pool, had fun in the spas with the jets and even went in a mineral pool. Manda and I braved the ice pool for all of five seconds and then went sprinting back to sane Lacey who was in the warm pool!

After taking Amanda home we then went to a labrinyth on the Buda-side with Richard the pommie guy from our room! These mazes we originally made from thermal springs and the idea is to find your way through and test your courage! You can even find a red wine fountain. Sadly it tasted like gluhwine but it was free! We went after 6pm so all the lights were turned off and we had to find our way through with only lanterns which added to the fun! We had a great time in there!

Then Lacey and my last day in the city we decided to have a lazy one…. The money had surely become dry and even though we hadn’t seen everything we wanted to, we were exhausted! We walked to St Stephens Basilica to see his mummified hand and also look at the church. It had to be one of the nicest I have ever been in and trust me in Europe you see alotttttt of churches! We climbed (ok I lie, we caught an elevator) to the top of the church and could see all of Budapest from every angle! It was great! You can tell that Hungary was once a wealthy country as the architecture in the city is simply superb!

Ok so we then went shopping!!!! Sadly things weren’t as cheap as we would have liked but we had the trusty credit cards so I bought some shorts to wear for summer as it is starting to get warm!!

Our flight was delayed on the way home, then our train was delayed blah blah blah but we eventually made it home back to nice Zurich! It was such a great trip, probably my favourite so far. A great city, excellent accommodation and beautiful friends to spend it with. I would suggest you include this city in your travels if you ever come to Europe as it was truly a really cool place!

Then two days later (29/03/07) Lacey celebrated her 26th birthday! Her boss rang me a day earlier and secretly invited me to her birthday dinner so it was fun to surprise her! We all then slept at Laceys house on Friday night and had a lazy day Saturday. Just good to take it easy oh and we watched Lacey husband on tv (Casino Royal!!!)

Today was great weather so after having brunch at the movie bar in town with my family and Catherines brothers family. I then met the girls at HB and we caught a train to the Uetliberg, Zurichs tallest point! We went for a nice walk across the mountain and took in the view. Sadly it was a bit foggy at the top but we did get to see all these people paragliding and Lacey and I decided that we are going to do that while we’re here!! There was even a man who strapped his dog in – hahaha I could hear it barking from the sky!


Thursday night we then head off for a new adventure to spend Easter in Vienna which should be nice. I am looking forward to more exploring a photo taking!!

Happy Easter everyone and you’ll hear from me soon xoxox