Day 24 – Monday 1 June

We had a good sleep after our late night last night and big day walking in mid to high 20’s. The bed is still too hard, but when you are that tired your body gets what it needs.

After breakfast where we feasted on watermelon, mango, strawberries, cherries, oranges and pineapple we spent a fair bit of time discussing what we would do. Many of the items on our proposed itinerary are turning out to be quite expensive.

As mentioned before in Turkey blogs, we understand the price hike and our dollar exchange rate, however, when confronted with an entry fee to view they Synagogues of $100nzd we are gobsmacked. We just cant see the value in that at $180 combine, so that went off the list.

The other new item we wondered about was the city Zoo, one of the oldest in Europe, which also has a butterfly section – which we love. The entry fee was not too exorbitant for that, however the reviews talked of very small enclosures for the animals, a lot closed, and in disrepair. We cannot condone the old style zoo small enclosures, so that went off the list too.

Next, a thermal bath at the famous Szechenyi will cost us about $72 each. There are a couple of cheaper and the best alternative is closed for renovation. We really are struggling with this one, having been brought up in the Bay of Plenty near geothermal water. I did some research and the water content is quite different, and the reported benefits of the Hungarian thermal spa sound interesting. We parked this one, in view of what we might get done today and perhaps will go on our last day tomorrow.

Next for discussion was the ‘ruin bars’, Jewish quarter and shoe memorial and central (grand) market hall. This seemed to be the most palatable option, sans the synagogue. We are really enjoying hopping around on the public transport above and underground. Vern has it very well worked out and we feel we are getting our money worth for our 72 hour cards. It is clean, super efficient and just easy. Saves the legs for the attractions and although most of Budapest is flat and easy to walk, everything still adds up around the city.

On the way out of the hotel we got talking to the office manager who happens to be a twin. She is very animated, speaks beautiful english and gave us the great restaurant recommendation. One thing led to another and we ended up having a very interesting chat about the war, the impact on people and the hidden agenda.

This led to Covid discussions and I will not say too much more, but she clearly shares the same beliefs that we do. Interesting that Hungary gets it’s oil from Russia via a pipe. This is what has been taught for many years. Seems these days prices have increased and the powers that be are denying that a pipe exists….. yes. One cannot help but raise suspicion of agenda and control.

When we got to the district we thought it a good idea to grab a drink before the markets which are renowned for ripping off tourists – much like the bazaar in Istanbul. We saw a matcha cafe near the station and enjoyed a lovely yuzu matcha latte, cappuccino (for Vern) and shared a raspberry and matcha cheesecake. Yummy all around, my latte was only $10, compared to similar in Christchurch back home for $20! Clean toilets too which was a comfort.

A short walk with help of Nav and we found the markets and bought some modest presents for family and ourselves back home. We knew we were probably paying a bit extra, however, it was the memento and experience that we will remember from it. It is a lovely building and the streets around are the beautiful wide and clean style we are finding all around the city, with more beautiful buildings all around. Truely, there is something wrong if you cannot find interest in this city and it does not have to cost money. There are also many interesting museums and galleries which of course we will not have time to look into.

After the markets which are near the Danube we got a one stop ride back inland and close to the ruin bar area. These were created in the 2000’s after the Cold War in abandoned buildings set for demolition. A person got the idea of cheap rent and creating trendy eclectic bars. We went inside the original one and it was like being on a movie set. Very cool.

A bit further down the street is a food truck little alley so we ducked in there and had a mixed dinner as it was getting close to dinner and we had not had any lunch other than a shared cake at the matcha cafe. We had a nice bao bun with pork belly, a type of burrito crossed with a quesadilla – chicken, bacon, cheese, jalapeño, corn chips, and toasted, and a goulash soup with little noodle dumplings (spatzle). All up about $60 nzd and very tasty.

We walked via a Tesco to grab a bottle of Riesling ($12) and crisps – as you do, before doing our metro hop back home.

When we emerged at our last stop there was a man blocking our exit up the stairs. We found out (as we could not understand what was being said) that there was a movie being shot up at the square. Ahhh, yes that aligned with what the English gentleman said the other day. This one was an Asian man in a suit, smoking as he walked across the ped-ex. I have no idea who or what, but it reminded me of when we were in Matera, Italy and saw the James Bond movie being filmed there.

Another lovely day of just looking around and getting a feel for this city.