Hungary - Week 22

Nobody said anything about a very noisy freight train that runs right next to Arena Camping in Budapest. (Think Roger Rabbit, when Eddie Valliant goes to visit Dolores in the bar when the train rumbles through.) Nor did the website say we would be under Budapest airports flight path! It did say, however, there’s free WiFi all over the campsite ... hmmm, there isn’t. Apart from that, it was great lol. It’s clean, well maintained with the free use of a washing machine. The staff are very friendly and helpful so it’s not that bad if, like me, you can wear earplugs 😉

We spent the first day of our visit washing clothes, cleaning and generally getting things in order. Believe it or not, we call this a chill out day.

The following three days were spent sight seeing in the capital. There’s a lot to see and at this time of year, it’s better than visiting a deserted town or village.

We bought 48 hour tickets for the Hop on Hop off bus which included a boat ride on the river Danube. It took us all over the city so, for our first stop, we chose to get off at Hero’s Square for lunch.

We spotted some fancy looking buildings which turned out to be the Agricultural Museum and by chance, found the Anonymous Statue. Legend has it, that if you rub his pen you’ll become a great writer?!! Well, you have to try these things right 😁

Back on the bus, we rode up the hill to the Citadel where we watched the sun setting.

By the end of the day we had managed to ride most of the red line and back in the centre. We wandered round in the dark until it was time to head back to the campsite. Budapest is magical in the dark, so many buildings are beautifully lit up. It’s also the first city we’ve come across where they have their Christmas lights on.

The second day, we took the boat up to Margaret Island and back again with the commentary telling us about the buildings and bridges we could see. We managed to find the “Shoes on the Danube”. It’s a sobering scene on the banks of the river. Many Jewish people in 1944/45 were made to take off their clothes and shoes and were shot in the back so that their bodies fell into the river and were washed away.

By this time it was going dark. The parliament buildings were again beautifully illuminated.

On the way back to the metro, we called in to St Stephens Cathedral where mass was being held. We nearly got locked in but managed to escape before the singing started. It definitely had the wow factor inside.

The third day we visited the old market building and the Dohnay Street Synagogue.

It’s the largest in Europe (and the third largest in the world). We did have to pay to get in but one of the guides told us all about the building and the Jewish religion, which we found really interesting. In the garden of remembrance outside, there’s a weeping willow tree, and each leaf is inscribed with the name of a Hungarian Jew who perished in the war.

We managed to have a look around the market hall too, full of food stalls and lots of Paprika, which Hungary is famous for.

We left Budapest and headed for the Hungarian seaside. That’s what the locals call Lake Balaton as the country is actually land locked. It’s a summer destination but we needed some downtime. We found a parking spot right near the lake and stayed there the night. 

The sun was shinning when we got up so we walked along the edge of of the lake in to the town of Siofok. The whole revetment looked deserted as did the road running parallel. There were lots of hotels along the front, closed it seemed, for winter. Looks like the “Tinsel & Turkey” weekends haven’t caught on in Hungary yet.

It wasn’t until we walked over the railway lines and into the centrum did we find any life. What a lovely little place it turned out to be too!

Right in the centre is a “lighthouse cafe”. Well that’s what we called it. We paid the £2 each to take the lift up to the top where the revolving cafe was.

Even managed to get Andy outside on the balcony to view the surrounding countryside and the town below.

By the time we’d walked back, it was getting near teatime so we decided to stay parked up for another night.

The next morning it was time to leave and head for our last stop in Hungary as we didn’t want to pay for another vignette. The hardest decision on this trip so far has been where to go next. Life’s tough when you’re on the road lol. We decided on Szeged. It’s near the border with Serbia and big enough to keep us busy. So after walking round in the morning and looking at the architecture etc. we decided on spending the rest of the day in the thermal baths. Never had a spa day before so a treat was on the cards.

The write up said, it is a wonderful 19th century (06.09.1896), Neo-Renaissance styled, Thermal Bath House that focuses on its wellness, fitness and therapeutic benefits via a Thermal Bath, Steam Room, Saunas, Jacuzzis, Swimming Pool, Cold/Warm/Hot Plunge Pools and Lounge Areas.

So when in Hungary, do what the Hungarians do. That’s what we say, especially when it costs the grand total of £5.29 for the two of us! We both loved it especially as the water was so warm.

Next stop - Serbia :o)