The musings of a man who is coming up to the next stage in life.
This week's photo is of a group of people enjoying each other's company.
This was taken at the Hindin Han restaurant in Mostar. To me one of the joys of travelling is meeting different people along the way. In this photo there were four Australians, two Germans, an American, Belgian and Frenchman. We were enjoying good food and each other's company. It was a great night.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
As I sit down in the coffee shop enjoying my mocha latte and muffin it dawned on me that today was the 20th August. It also meant that I have 20 days until I leave for my next trip to the Balkans.
I had always penciled in today for starting my preparations for the trip. I am on a rest day from work. The last three days have been stressful and I feel battered by the whole experience. At least I will not be working any more weekends until after my trip.
There are a few things that need to be done today. The first of these is to get the rucksack out of storage and check for any damage it may have. The last thing I need is for anything to break while I am away.
Next on my to-do list today is to arrange the taxi from Split Airport to the hostel. The hostel said they could arrange something a taxi for a discounted rate. This will be useful. By the time I arrive into Split I will have been travelling for over twelve hours.
Finally today I will be checking for the small items I will need to take. Things like medicine, ear plugs and charger. While not the end of the world if not taken it could cause inconvenience and potential expense.
I have been planning this trip since the new year and it is becoming so close now that I feel excited. For me I am feel enthused about everything after a period of feeling down. I have not enjoyed a break from work since I returned from Vienna in March. The batteries need re-charging. Of course, I look forward to sharing everything with you.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
Budapest was a city that I always wanted to visit. I had originally planned to come in 2011 but ill health forced me to abandon the plan. So I was glad that I could visit this year.
I had arrived from Vienna. We all know that Vienna is a beautiful city with all its classical architecture. How would Budapest compare. When I arrived into the coach station my first impressions were not great. I took the metro and all I could see was the 70's style carriage and how dirty it looked. Once I left the Deak Ferenc ter station and saw the sunshine everything felt a lot better.
The city itself had a faded charm to it. There were a lot of old buildings that had seen better days yet you could imagine how beautiful they once looked. That said some of these old buildings have been put to use as ruin bars. The one I would recommend to visit is Szimpla Kert. It is described as the mother of the city ruin bars.
Like of a Europe's capital cities the majority of the sites can be reached on foot. I enjoyed the free walking tour which was a god way of familiarising yourself with the sites. The metro while only consisting of three lines is also a good way of travelling within the city.
There were so many sites to see in Budapest. The highlights included Castle Hill, St.Stephen's Basilica, House of Terror and Heroes Square. However, there was so much that I missed as Memento Park or visiting one of the thermal baths and much more. At least it will give me the perfect excuse to come back.
I could not say that I starved while I was in Budapest. The local cuisine was both delicious and filling. My favourite food experience was enjoying the Langos in the Great Market Hall surrounded by the locals enjoying their lunch.
Finally, I would like to say how friendly the people were in Budapest apart from the staff at the coach station. Wherever I went people were always offering help and recommendations. It helped make my visit more enjoyable.
Overall, Budapest blew me away with its charm and beauty. If you want a good value city break then it is a place to go. I cannot wait to go back.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
As I may have mentioned in previous posts I travel a lot by coach across mainland Europe. The railways had never been considered. The reason for that was I thought the railways were too expensive. This was based upon rail travel in the UK.
On my last day in Budapest in March I was put in a situation where I had no choice but to catch the train as my coach to Vienna had been cancelled without any notice. This led me into a blind panic. The only option was to catch the train. I thought that buying a rail ticket on the day of travel was going to cost me a fortune. This is how is works in the UK. I am going to end up stuck in Budapest.
I enquired on how much a ticket was going to cost. To my surprise I was told it would cost Huf7500 which is about £22.00, a bargain. To purchase a rail ticket between London and Manchester on the day would cost £76.00.
The train itself was comfortable. I even found a seat. In the UK you are not guaranteed a seat. The last major rail journey I made in the UK was between Birmingham and York. I had a seat number only to find somebody else sitting in my seat and they would not move. There was no staff available so I ended up having to sit in somebody else's seat, not ideal.
The train arrived into Vienna on time. This was unlike the UK where reliability is an issue that draws up a lot of complaints. By the time I arrived into Vienna all the tension and panic I was suffering from had disappeared as I knew I would be leaving for the UK on time.
The lesson I have learnt from the experience is not to judge other country's rail system to the UK before I try it. I should have realised by the popularity of the Eurail passes that travelling by rail in Europe can be an enjoyable experience that can be value for money.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
On my recent visit to Budapest one of the most impressive buildings was the Parliament building. This despite having the scaffold cover parts of it.
It was opened in 1904 and is was apparently inspired by Westminster Palace in London. You can tour inside the building. It does cost 3000fl to enter and it is recommended that you get there for 9am to avoid the crowds.
Once inside you get to see relics such as the Holy Crown of Hungary in the Central Hall and statues of various Kings of Hungary.
It is important to remind yourself of the importance of the Parliament in Hungarian history. The 1956 uprising was led from here. There is a statue of Imre Nagy in Kossuth Square that looks directly at the Parliament. In 1989 the declaration of the new republic was made from the balcony.
The best views of Parliament come from the other side of the Danube where you can appreciate the magnificence of the building.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
Of the bridges that link Buda with Pest across the Danube, the best known is the Széchenji Chain Bridge. It was opened in 1849. The name comes from the major sponsor of the bridge István Széchenji.
There is a British connection to the bridge. It was designed by William Tierney Clark and the construction was supervised by Adam Clark.
This is the bridge to cross if you want to make your way to Castle Hill over in Buda. I think this is a beautiful construction that highlights Budapest in its glory days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
One of the outstanding buildings in Budapest in my opinion is St. Stephen’s Basilica. It is named after St. Stephen the first King of Hungary. Though it is not the largest church in Hungary it is the most important. It also ranks as the third highest building in Hungary.
As I may have mentioned before that I like to visit religious buildings even though I am not a great believer. To me it is a great way of exploring and taking photographs. There is an ornate beauty to churches, especially old ones. I hope that these photos give you an idea of what I mean.
The highlight of any visit to St. Stephen’s is the chance to view the right hand of the saint himself. It is said to be incorruptible. It is housed in the reliquary inside a glass case. For 200 forints you can light up the case for a better view.
St. Stephen’s is also an important venue for Choral and Classical concerts. There are regular organ recitals taking place. In the summer the Basilica choir performs every Sunday.
There is no best time on when to visit the basilica. If you visit during the day you can have the chance at extra cost to visit the Treasury or get to climb to the top and take in the panoramic view of Budapest. However, my visit coincided with a cold snap and it was just too cold. Alternately you could visit at night. The basilica takes on a different look in the night sky. I was fortunate to have been able to both. Whatever time you choose to visit is up to you but I recommend that you visit all the same.
St. Stephen’s Basilica, 1051 Budapest, Szent István tèr 1.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
Let me start with one piece of advice. It is one hell of a walk to the Royal Palace. Sensible footwear is in order. The Royal Palace was the home to the Kings of Hungary. It is part of the Buda World Heritage Site.
Inside the Royal Palace complex there is the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum.
From the Royal Palace you get amazing views across the Danube into Pest.
I would recommend a visit to the Royal Palace. It is a great way to spend an afternoon whatever the weather.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
Guidebooks are an essential tool for travellers. Whether it be for planning, using on your visit or just for reading your guidebook becomes your bible.
Once upon a time you just go into your local bookshop to purchase your guidebook, now we can go online for guidebooks to view on smartphones, e-readers and tablets. Which one is best?
I have tried both over the years. Recently, I had moved over to digital but I do have a problem with them. I am loathed to be walking around with my iPad on view. It must make a magnet for the opportunist thief. Can never understand why people use the iPad as a camera. When I used a guidebook on my iPhone I found that it quickly drained my battery. Overall a frustrating experience.
This is why for my Balkans trip I will be reverting back to the physical guidebook. Armed with my Lonely Planet guide to Eastern Europe I will be wending my merry way. It might take up some weight in my rucksack but there is something satisfying about looking at maps on paper. It is easier to highlight and read too. Sure I love my Kindle and iPad to read books and magazines but for guidebooks the physical book will always be the best experience.
Which you do prefer?
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
After arriving in Budapest I was at a loss on deciding what to do on my first full day. I noticed that there was a flyer for 'Free Walking Tours.' Always taking advantage of anything that is free I looked to find my way to the meeting point at Vorosmarty Square. It seem at one point I would be the only person there. However, before 10:30 a lot more people turned up.
The tour was due to last 2.5 hours. The first 30 minutes seemed wrapped up in telling the history of Hungary. Fascinating it is but my bum was starting to feel numb sitting on the steps. Eventually we set off and soon we were bombarded with the sights and stories attached to them.
The tour itself took in the highlights of Buda and Pest. Crossing the Danube and making our way up Castle Hill. The guide was excellent telling stories as we made our way. A lot of these stories were funny and made the walk go a lot quicker. The tour ended up finishing past the Castle in Buda. We were more than happy to tip the guide. She recommend a fine restaurant to have lunch.
Free Walking Tours in Budapest offer four tours. The original morning walking tour, the afternoon tour, the Communism walk and the Jewish walk. All are free with just a tip to be paid out to the guide. It is part of the United Europe Free Tours Group. They also operate free walking tours in Berlin, Prague, Bratislava, Sofia, Ljubljana, Kiev and Bucharest.
As a solo traveller I enjoy walking tours. It is a great way of meeting fellow travellers and also a great way of familiarising yourself with a new city.
Free Budapest Walking Tours Team – http://www.triptobudapest.hu
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
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