BUDAPEST x 2

Not very active today. Enjoyed the 3hr city your this morning. Then, this afternoon, we've just dozed and rested. We did intend going to the city markets which would have meant a 20min walk, but it's cold and bleak out, so we have stayed in. Hense not mutch to report. I must say Budapest has surprised me. I was expecting lots of big dark gloomy buildings, and yes there are plenty of those but also big wide avenues and boulevards. Also large open park areas with very bare trees now but would be lovely in spring and summer. There's a sense of the positive too as the city is still rebuilding after the battle of Budapest in 1945 left the city in ruins. And then under communist rule for 40yrs not a lot of rebuilding happened. But now with the help of EU countries they are finally able to reconstruct their beautiful historic buildings. The highlight for me was the free time we had on Castle Hill. It's a big area with the church and castle being the dominant buildings. But it is Also quite trendy and recreational. This morning it was filled with tourist groups. The locals being at church. There was a small Christmas market and lovely to hear Christmas music being played. We were given a sample of Chimney Cake. It's a round and hollow tube of scone like pastry cut into rings and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. I'll include a photo from yesturday so you can see how it's cooked. The first video is Heros Square. The rest are Castle Hill. After dinner the captain is taking us on a cruise to see the city lit up. Hope to get some good pictures for you. We've packed our bags. Check out or our room 9am but stay in lounge until our airport shuttle at 12.15. Flight to Singapore 3.30pm. The 2 big lit up buildings are the House of Parliament and a sports stadiumRead more