Beautiful Hungary (Part 1.- First stage in Budapest)

One could think that spending twelve days there in Hungary is more than enough but in fact it is not. There are so many places to visit, so many wines and Palinkas to taste, so many Spa's in which you can take terrific and relaxing baths... That you'd feel it is never sufficient time.

Going to Hungary has been an enriching experience not only because all the places we'd visited but also for the new people and friends we've met.

Academy of Science

 

And here's how all began. It was 29th march and i had to take the train at a certain time, but as usual I arrived there with only two minutes left. Despite the fact that it was a night train with bed, i couldn't get some proper sleep (beds were a little bit unconfortable after all). There I met two guys from states who are carrying out their studies in Denmark. Well I arrived at Budapest early in the morning and I easily reach the hostel. I had just checked in when the charming girl who was taking care of the hostel, Szava Georgina, offered me a palinka shot... it was 10 in the morning!!... however (you know me), so as not to seem rude, i accepted, it was then when I met two of the most party-french-girls ever Loulou and Leila. After Palinka time, and since Veronica was not arriving at Budapest till late night I joined both of them in their sightseen to Margaret Island. The inner Island is some kind of peaceful place, where you can go jogging or for a walk while having a relaxed chat. 

Leila, Me and Loulou at Margaret Island

This place is a must for those who want to run away from the rush and noise. So we were walking through paths, surrounded by trees and nature, for at least two hours. Then I got them to go eating and after that return to hostel to spend a peaceful afternoon there trying to memorize the city map and organising the different tasks for the next two days: places worthwhile visiting, different routes to follow, places to eat...

At night I took a train which led me directly to the airport from Budapest and because of a delayed flight we were not able to catch the return train to budapest... it was a pitty cause we spend like ten times more in the taxi which carried us to the hostel back. But the good point was that Veronica arrived at Budapest safe and sound. So we were ready to begin our trip around hungary for the next eleven days.

We woke up early the next day, around 8 am (my friend and flatmate Bartek would tell us that it is not early in the morning, but... still) with the idea of going sightseeing only around Pest, and that was exactly what we did. If you take a look at the map, Pest is what remains in the right side of the Donnau river. Parlament, Basilica, Opera ... are some of the buildings we saw that day.

Pest Concert Hall

To be honest Budapest is the cutest place I've ever been, and the weather did help, cause seldom the temperature dropped below 25ºC, having the feeling that the Spring finally had come was indescribable, besides keeping in mind that the week before I was suffering from a -1ºC temperature in Stockholm... However sometimes it was too warm and I assure you that we were sweating over most of daylight time. Pest turned out to be a marvellous place full of nice buildings, crowded of people from every country and also full of life.

Parlament

At about 16.00 more or less we returned to the hostel where Gina was preparing a typical Hungarian food for both of us and also for the french girls. We all got to eat the pleasant food she had cooked, it was just great, and I really want to thank Georgina for that superb lunch.

The most pretty girls in Budapest (Leila, Gina, Loulou, Vero)

After the meal we went the medicinal bath called Széchenyi. It turned out to be a huge place with 3 open-air pools and some more indoor ones. Veronica and me spent there few hours and we had a relaxing and peaceful time, although it was crowded, wandering around the pools which had different temperatures from 30ºC till 38ºC. We also had a go inside the freezing pool at 16ºC but, as you might think this bath did not last too much xD. It was so cold that Veronica did not want to get into the pool so I got her to get inside. 

Széchenyi medical bath

The sun was about to set when we left, and we were told that buda looks marvellous when it is illuminated so that is exactly what we did, we enjoyed the sights, took some pictures and returned to the hostel to get some good sleep in order to be ready to go sightseen Buda.

Budapest at night

The next morning we again woke up early, took the proper shower and departed towards Buda. We had whole day to visit everything that is why we did not narrowed the places to visit down. We visited places like Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Buda Castle... 

Parlament from Buda

Veronica on a bench

Fisherman's Bastion

After that we ate some salad which I had prepared and took a coffe there really close to Buda Castle. It was already 18.00 and we thought about going up the hill to reach Citadella. This place is the highest, so in there you can gaze at whole Budapest from a different view. Veronica was carrying her ipod and she played some Springsteen's records, as we were f...ing far from our homes, listening to our favourite songwriter, there was nothing we could do to prevent our body from shaking. 

Vero and me dancing & singing

Returning home, having dinner and chating to some people there in the hostel were our last activities there in our first stage in Budapest.

I want to thank Gina, Loulou and Leila for sharing with us great moments and also to Gina and Riverside Hostel for their hospitality. I'd like to recommend this hostel because in spite of the fact that it is a little bit old, people who are working there are great.

Next post.- Beautiful Hungary (Part 2.- Pécs and Budapest at weekend)