October 5, 2014: Bratislava to Budapest

October 5, 2014

We had free time this morning to further explore Bratislava and I wandered around and took some random pictures.

Definitely No Drinking and Driving

That Time of the Year is Near

After our luggage was loaded onto the bus at 13:30, we left Bratislava for Budapest.  The trip time was a little over 3 hrs through some quiet countryside with many farms, which reminded me of traveling through the Midwest.  As we approached Budapest from the Buda side of the Danube, we descended to the Elizabeth Bridge to cross into Pest, which lies on the Hungarian plain.  

Pest Side of the Danube

Buda Side of Danube

Pest Side of Danube

The scene along the Danube was very pretty with the very blue sky and the blue Danube.  Getting to our hotel was somewhat of a chore, because of the large pedestrian mall on which the hotel faces.  The driver had to return to the Buda side of the river and re-cross the bridge to get oriented to turn down the very narrow street that runs past the backside of the Mercure Budapest City Center Hotel.

We got checked into the hotel and then Marc and I walked up the pedestrian mall to the square where there was a festival atmosphere going on with stalls of freshly cooked food, beer, wine, and hand crafts.  There was also a band playing.  I purchased a 0.5 L beer for $2 and enjoyed the American band that was playing.  

At 19:30, we assembled and walked a short distance to our restaurant, 100 Eves, which is a Hungarian restaurant with excellent food.  I had the green salad, chicken paprika with gnocchi, and cut fruit dessert.  

ChemSource Group at 100 Eves

Green Salad

Chicken Paprika

Cut Fruit Dessert

As usual we had plenty of wine – a Hungarian Cabernet Franc.  The restaurant had a group – 2 violinists, a bassist, and someone playing a string instrument, which was struck with felt sticks.  They came through our room at one point and I captured them on a video  (See below).  We had a great time.

 

Hungarian Entertainers

Tomorrow, we have a full day of sightseeing that uses the public transportation system (bus, tram, subway) and our 75 hr Budapest card that gives unlimited usage of the system and entrance to many of the museums we will visit the next three days.