Central Europe ‘23 – Day 2

On the move early (or maybe late if we were talking AST) and checked out before 5:00 AM. We hadn’t booked a transfer option so we opted for airport shuttle service from accommodations to Terminal 5. More expensive (25£) than the Hoppa Bus (11£), but took away all the guesswork at a very early hour. After being dropped off expertly at the entry, we made our way into security and proceeded through minimal, steadily moving lines to the departures zone. So many flights here that you don’t get a gate assignment until 15-30 minutes before boarding. Then some noodling / planning time for our Budapest departure!

Gawrsh… Heathrow certainly is a monster… really a city unto itself. Our designated gate was really only a “muster” point, where we were unceremoniously herded onto shuttles that hurried us away for a 10 minute bus ride to a parking lot full of British Airways logo’d planes. My Lord the logistics. Anyway, although a little late, otherwise unscathed toward the “furthest” reaches east in our journey!

The flight was great! Unfortunately, after clear skies to the Channel, the continent saw some pretty thick cloud cover and views were not possible until almost at Budapest. However, touchdown at Franz Liszt International Airport (BUD) saw us just 5 minutes late, so the pilot made up time during the flight 👍. First piece of business on the ground was clearing Hungarian customs. No issues here… flew through that and past luggage to our waiting hotel transfer at the Arrivals Gate.

Huge win on the hotel transfer… 25 minute commute to our accommodation (Cortile Hotel Budapest) and our most excellent driver was awesome. She gave us a first rate tour naming highlights on the way in and left us at the front doors of the Cortile. Worth every HUF (Hungarian Currency). At the Cortile we did a quick 10 minute stop to check bags, regroup and turned back around to hit the streets!

Just several blocks away is the House of Terror, a Museum dedicated to the victims of the WWII and Soviet eras in Hungary. Although a solemn way to begin our stay, it was also our only opportunity to visit (venue closed Mondays). We walked in and purchased tix on arrival at the museum box office and toured the entire facility with the support of audio guides (very little English in exhibits). Powerful portions of the “story” included the horrific treatment of Jewish Hungarians, the torture, execution and imprisonment of political prisoners, and the utter annihilation of the 1956 uprisings. A somber but powerful glimpse at a people’s history.

The name Budapest is actually derived from the combination of two cities once found on each side of the Danube (Buda and Pest) that were merged into one community. Upon our departure from our first attraction we took the Metro to the Buda section of the city (purchased 10 tix at first station). Little tip here… you have to make sure to validate (time stamp) your tickets. We did get stopped at a station during our stay and checked for validation (we were legal 😁). Easy-peasy getting around & everything worked like a charm! While across the Danube we began by visiting the Fisherman’s Bastion & Matthias Church area. Incredibly scenic, with commanding views of the city and river. Of note, lots of restoration work going on in this part of the city. In short, one could count 25-30 cranes on the city skyline looking in all directions. This spot is “touristy”, and folks from all over the globe are on the move. Visiting the bastion is free… that helps I’m sure, but it is the vista / “selfy” opportunity that seemed to be drawing the crowds.

Our timed entry attraction for the afternoon was the Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum (4:00 PM Tour in English). Hadn’t quite done anything like this before… sort of kitschy, 50’s/60’s themed underground space! In short, we toured a series of caves that had been transformed into an underground hospital/nuclear bunker during the WWII and Cold War eras. Perhaps just another “tidbit” that Janie might be able to use / draw from in her IB History classes! Please note the picture is “borrowed’, as photos aren’t encouraged on the tour. Real time warp of an adventure, with our English speaking tour guide András doing a great job walking us through the history. Quirky, nerdy, maybe even hokey, but somehow, along the way, it works!

With the cancellation of a walking tour after supper, we suddenly had time for a few “late entries” into the day. Our itinerary always has a couple of extra ideas (Options A, B & C). In essence the Lumsden’s did some touring, taking in the ruin bars section of the city, with a visit to the trendy / hipster Szimpla Kert, and the Karavan outdoor food truck zone (we tried the very touristy Langos). Busy even on a chilly Sunday evening. Cool area worth checking out (at least early anyway)! Then a walk back to the Cortile to finally check-in. Awesome room! Janie described the Cortile as if hotels we stayed in Belfast (The Flint) and Munich (ArtHotel) made a baby (the merging of a couple of our past stays)! Utilitarian but chic! Great space for our two nights in Budapest… great pick Janemeister!

Then back out for one last round of excitement as we ate late at Menza Étterem és Kávéház… stylish and retro in setting, with the food being excellent serving both modern and traditional Hungarian dishes. It came highly recommended by the check-in folks at the Cortile. Busy and no nonsense, we landed without reservation but were kindly met, seated at the bar, and, after a short wait, treated to a perfect evening. Supper saw us sample a savoury Goulash Soup, tender Pork Schnitzel and Hungarian Beef Stew. It proved a comfortable meal in all ways. Just plain tasty… and a real bargain at $60.00 Canadian!

Lastly (if we don’t count the online excitement of the StFX Championship Game) was an evening walk along the Danube, seeing the lights reflect on the river and gazing at the amazing statues and architecture that adorn the Parliament area. In particular, we were taken by the very poignant Shoes on the Danube monument at the rivers edge (for the complete story Click Here as it’s worth the read). It’s a gorgeous city, and well worth another full day to explore!

Central Europe ‘23 – Day 3