The musings of a man who is coming up to the next stage in life.
This week's photo is of the Chain Bridge in Budapest.
The flags were flying to celebrate National Day on 15 March. This day celebrates the 1848 Revolution. There was a lot of green, white and red on display as Hungarians proudly celebrated their nation.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
This week's photo is of a restaurant in London.
This unusual looking building is located in Bishopsgate Church Yard. I did not get the name of the restaurant. All I could think of at the time was how out of place it looked.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
This weeks photo is of one of the most iconic statues in Bratislava. Cumil the watcher peers at the world from a manhole. It is a popular photo opportunity for the visitor.
It is one of the many quirky statues that can be found in Bratislava.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
When I was in Budapest I was determined to go and eat some authentic Hungarian cuisine. The Wombats hostel recommended to try Frici Papa Kifozdeje.
It took about fifteen minutes to walk to the restaurant from the hostel. We were welcomed by a good atmosphere, there were plenty of people already there. This is always a good sign. None decided to have a starter and went straight for the main course. Two of the party chose to order Chicken breast paprikash. Another ordered Mushroomgulash. I decided to order Beefgulash with red wine and noodles. It tasted delicious and costing 479ft I thought it to be excellent value too.
We shared a pudding. It was called Dumps with poppy seed. I could only describe it as a sweet dumplings literally covered in poppy seeds. Very sweet and I could taste poppy seeds for a couple of hours afterwards.
Overall, I enjoyed my visit to Frici Papa Kifozdeje. It is a good place to go and eat authentic cuisine at a good price. I will definitely visit again the next time I am in Budapest.
Frici Papa Kifozdeje, Kiraly utca 55, Budapest 1077, Hungary
http://www.fricipapa.hu
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
This week's photo is of Manchester Art Gallery.
I was there last Sunday just enjoying some time away from Birmingham. There are over 25,000 exhibits that cover three floors. It certainly were a visit band even better it is free.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
Yesterday, WordPress sent me a notification wishing me a happy blog anniversary. Happy Birthday to Midlifewanderlust1965, you have turned one. In truth I had forgotten about it thinking it was not due until May.
Still this should not stop me from feeling a little pleased with myself. I have managed to keep the blog going for twelve months without ever thinking about stopping. In that time I have managed to collect ninety five followers. I have also made three trip to Europe. They have made up a bulk of the posts on the blog.
Time goes by so quickly as it only seemed like yesterday since I made my first post. Now I want to the blog further forward. The next step is to purchase the domain name. I will have the flexibility to control and do more with the blog.
Finally I want to say thank you to everyone that has taken time out to view the blog in the last twelve months. I am truly grateful for your continued support.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy, keep smiling and raise a glass of beer in celebration.
Steve
The Hofburg Palace was once home to the Habsburg Family who ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is now home to the President of Austria.
The reason for my visit was to look was the chance to see the three museums that are located inside. They are ‘The Imperial Silver Collection”, Sisi Museum and “Imperial Apartments.”
Before entering I would recommend that you take a walk around the building. Whatever the weather or time of day it is a magnificent structure to view. Sadly my photographs does not do it any justice.
Imperial Silver Collection
This is home to a collection of dining services, glassware and silverware. There are certainly impressive collections of china that have been accumulated from around the world. I suspect that a lot of the pieces were used only sparingly. The most impressive exhibit must be the ‘Milan Centrepiece,’ It stands at thirty metres long. There is also the Grand Vermeil Service which could serve up to 140 people at one sitting. The collection is a perfect opportunity to take photographs as you marvel at the opulence of the Habsburgs.
Sisi Museum
Next up is the Sisi Museum. This is dedicated to the Empress Elisabeth who is a revered figure in Austria. This may be down to the tragic way here life ended. The museum revolves around Sisi’s private life and contains plenty of personal artefacts belonging to her. Sadly, you are unable to photograph any of the exhibits.
What the Sisi Museum does well is that it is not a shrine to the Empress but will point out all her flaws. The impression that I was left of her was that she was a vain selfish person towards the end of her life who neglected her husband and country while she went off on her travels. I suppose the nearest person who I compare her with is Princess Diana.
The Imperial Apartments
The final museum to visit is the Imperial Apartments. These were the private apartments of the Habsburgs. It is the chance to see the offices, private quarters and bedrooms. Like the Sisi Museum you are unable to take any photographs.
I found the museums to be of good value especially if you hold a Vienna Card. You will get a discount of between 7-9% off the normal admission charge. It is the perfect opportunity to surround yourself in the decadence of the Habsburgs.
Hofburg Vienna, Michaelerkuppel, 1010 Vienna.
Nearest U-bahn stop – Herrengasse U3 line (Orange)
Opening Hours 09:00-17:30 (September – June), 09:00-18:00 (July – August)
Admission with audio guide €11.50, with Vienna Card €10.50
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
After two late nights in succession I decided to have a lie in this morning. Looking outside the window I could see it was raining. Today I plan to try to see parts of Budapest that I have not seen.
I had a late breakfast after which I decided to brave the weather. Oh dear, the rain had turned to sleet and there was a strong wind in the air. It is feeling so cold. I had not packed my hat and gloves.
The best bet was to stay indoors where possible so the first stop was St. Stephen’s Basilica. Once inside for the chance to stay dry. The basilica is stunning inside. There were plenty of opportunities for taking photographs. I love the inside of large churches. They are so beautifully decorated. You either like these or not. The highlight of any visit is to see the right hand of St. Stephen. It is kept in a glass housing. For two hundred florins you can light the housing to show the hand in more detail. Once somebody put in a coin out came the cameras.
Back outside I tried to my way around the city. I had wanted to make my way toward Margitsziget but by now the weather was getting too much for me. It is not the rain or snow that was bothering me. After all it is only water but the cold was getting too much to handle. I was struggling to hold my camera. A cup of coffee was in order.
After warming myself up I made the decision to make my way back to the hostel. I was disappointed but by now I was feeling fed up. This was my last day in Budapest.
I contacted Marion to see if we were meeting up tonight and was happy to see we were. She had the same type of day as me. We agreed not to venture out too far and ended up in the Greenspub. Again it was full which is always a good sign. I chose to have the pork knuckle soup served inside a loaf of bread. This was by a mixed grill with pickles. A great last meal in Budapest.
We decided to make our way back to the hostel. When we arrived there seemed to be a lot of activity going on. There was a live band set up to play and there was also a lot of locals inside. Apparently somebody was celebrating a birthday. We were speaking to a couple from the Netherlands. They were in the middle of their holiday going through Europe. I declined a suggestion of going to the Szimpla Bar. I was leaving tomorrow and thought of returning home was making me feel sad. I went to sleep to the sound of the band ringing in my ears.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
This week’s photo is of a street entertainer in Covent Garden.
A popular tourist area in London you would always see somebody trying to entertain you for tips. It is worth spending an hour or two watching and enjoying the free entertainment.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
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