We arrived Budapest after spending overnight on the train. Surprisingly, the night train was very comfortable.
We had shower stall inside our sleeping cabin.
We rented a local apartment in Budapest rather than choosing a hostel. It was a bit far from the city, but we
saw how local people live their daily lives. We started our first day walking up to the palace on the hill of the
Buda side. The palace was beautiful, except that there was no signage to explain for tourists. So we had no clue
what we actually visited.
We toured the rest of the city on foot. We visited the Opera House, but unfortunately the day we were there, there was no
performance. We enjoyed a few lattes and dinner at different restaurants.
The next morning, we visited one of the biggest synogoge in the city. The synogoge tour explained how the Jews in Budapest
were deported during World War II. And the memorial behind the synogoge was very beautiful.
Last but not least, we went to a traditional hot bath in the city. It was like an amusement water park. They are a few hot
outdoor pools, and they have so many indoor pools with different temperatures. They also had the biggest sauna room that
I have ever seen in my life.
The train ride is quite comfortable, got toilet, shower ....everything.
Budapest Main Train Station.
The elevator in the apartment that we rented.
Typical east-european apartments, having a centre courtyard.
This reminded me those commercial/residential mixed use apartments, ... these trolley ramps.
We didnt what it was, but we believed they had their national day the week before we arrived
McDonal's .. they are quite pricey here.
The Parliament Building
The centennail bridge ....
Walking on the river bank ...quite refreshing ...and romantic indeed.
The Parliament building again.
They dug a tunnel through .. right underneath the Palace of the Buda side
The coat of arms of the Hungarian Monarhy
Right in front of the Palace Tunnel Entrance ...
Whereever the bridges connect, there are always nice architecture on the background.
Not just US has her eagle emblem, .. the Hungarian used it too.
It was a Palace, .. but now it is a National Museum.
Ouch ! .. but the structure is falling apart ...
The Palace was built on top of the hill, edge through the cliff hanging part of town.
still have that historic feel ... stone paved.....
I believe these are street no sign, . but I just dont understand how to interpret them.
What is that ?.
Dont really understand what happened, ... but they are little mushrooms growing on the back of a metal traffic sign !!!
Centre courtyard .... of a high-end apartments.
See through to the other side of the river ......
Local artist ...., his wife was bringing him food.
Man .... the Palace was so big, ...
Back on the river ...
I like walking on bridges, .. feeling the vibration when cars went by, .....
Have a closer touch of the city ....on the bridge.
St Stephan's Basillica.
Look at the craftsmanship here ....just the planning of it take some hearts.
Inside the Basillica.
Hungarian Lesson no. 1.
No Smoking ..
Night view of the synagogue.
Wine cellar, . not exactly, ... it's a book store, almost every bookstore we visit in Budapest sells wine ....w.
This was an advertisement we saw ... you can order these portable garage for €1000. Maybe we should start importing these into North America.
My first true Hungarian Golach ....
Lamb Shank ...delicious
Night view on the river .....
Night view of the Palace,.... 3.5 seconds on F2.8 on my Canon s80.
One of the deepest subway station in the world .... 100 feet deep. I think the amazing race should plan a road block here to walk up the escalator.
The newest Metro line is the Millenium Line.
Do you know what it means ?
This the ticket office of the Budapest Main Train Station ... I was a little scared to line up here, to be honest.
I believe these wood beams have been here for a while now.
My ticket back to Vienna, .. only €13 one way ...much cheaper to by return from Vienna.
What was going on here ? This was how they sell normal transit tickets.
We visited the synagogue the next morning.
This yard beside the synagogue have about 3000 - 5000 bodies of Jews who were buried by the Germans so as to cover up the evidence.
This willow commemorates the Jews who lost their lives during WW II
This Glass memorial commemorates the non-Jews who had saved and helped the Jews during WW II.
This commemorates the Swedish Ambassdor at the time who issues swedish passports to Jewish so they can escape to Sweden.
It is a sad feeling seeing this mass grave.
Reflection of the synagogue on the glass memorial.
The Jewish Bible ... only in Hebrew
Ahh ... the Budapest hot spring bath / pool.
The Széchenyi Spa ..
This is a cold water bath ...about 18C.
This outdoor pool water is about 37C warm ...
They also have a normal 22C swimming pool.
Steamy ...huh ?
A lot of old folks enjoyed a game of chess on the pool ...
Gorgeous and warm ...
Kids are having fun too ....
When it turns dark, ... there is a historic feel being inside a hot bath.
OK ... the circle here is actually a jet stream ...watch the video below. You are like riding the jet stream around and around.
Watch this video clip. (5.8 MB file).
I love being in Europe .... you can bring your own beer into the pool, no one will stop you.
This is the biggest sauna room I have ever seen in my life ....at least 40 feet deep, can fit at least 150 people.
The hot bath facility is like a community centre, they offer water aerobics classes.
Exactly, this pool is 26C.
This one is not so exact,.. 18 - 20 C
Local people hanging out at the train station, playing a game of chess.
Sadly, I was riding this train back to Vienna, .. just got my stamp from the 2 police officers.
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