OE Budapest

A lovely city. How to see a city in less than a day.  A snapshot and superficial at that.  Some took a walking tour, some a hoponhop off bus , one a cycling tour. We chose the slow way. To walk hugging shade.

The Parliament building is stunning. The small exhibition to the 1956 uprising and Russian quelling poignant.

Then cross a bridge to the Pest side. The suspension bridge is closed for refurbishment, probably better maintained than its sibling in Marlow.

A place to return to, perhaps in cooler months. As per a comment on fb, it is fascinating just how many important places are so close together. “The Danube was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today is the river running through the largest number of countries in the world (10; the Nile is second with 9). Originating in Germany, the Danube flows southeast for 2,850 km (1,770 mi), passing through or bordering AustriaSlovakiaHungaryCroatiaSerbiaRomaniaBulgariaMoldova and Ukraine before draining into the Black Sea. Its drainage basin extends into nine more countries. The largest cities on the river are ViennaBudapestBelgrade and Bratislava, all of which are the capitals of their respective countries. The Danube passes through four capital cities, more than any other river in the world.[5] Five more capital cities lie in the Danube’s basin: BucharestSofiaZagrebLjubljana and Sarajevo. The fourth-largest city in its basin is Munich, the capital of Bavaria, standing on the Isar River” (good old wiki)

Tomorrow the first of 11 cycling days to Bucharest.

OE Day 20 Kormarno to Budapest 125k

Even although today is mainly downhill it felt a wee bit tough. Just a combination of bumper Hungarian tracks criss crossing the road, hot and hotter, and busier traffic.

Over the bridge this morning and into Hungary. Its illegal to ride on the road if a cycle is adjacent. Should have that back home. A constant theme which continues from the start is litter free and well maintained (glass free) paths. Stopping to get our forints reinforces the sense, with the script, of being in a new land. Luckily we negotiate ice-cream. Tesco x2 for the first time since Paris. Lidl of course.

The suburbs of Budapest are a pleasant surprise. The parks are full of people having fun. Lots to explore tomorrow on the rest day.

OE Day 19 Bratislava to Komarno 110km

Our route today was mainly on the flood embankment on the North Slovakia side. The South side is Hungary. So flat, no shade and hot: kept us focused on the next coffee stop. None until near the end.

It’s strange now your can’t understand the signs. Could be back in Wales with a few added squiggles. I thought that when I saw a sign saying “Botel”. Ah I understand mutations. The reality of a boat hotel came as a wee blow. Ah well.

The hotel we’re in has two names, one Slovakian the other Hungarian. As a place on a key river crossing and the confluence of the Vah and Danube, it seems to have been flattened and rebuilt in an endless cycle. The result is a mishmash friendly with it.

Tomorrow Hungary, Farewell Euro, hello Budapest.

OE Day 18 Vienna to Brastislava 72km

A new country Slovakia at the end of today’s short ride. Vienna was relatively easy to get out of apart from the traffic lights where you aged as you waited. Soon into open country.

And visiting a summer palace. Those poor royals needed to escape the pressures of their town life.

Buildings start to change now in this border region. Single story in the main. Border crossing is as it should be (easy). And then a new language.

Bratislava is the only capital that borders on two countries, Austria and Hungary. It has a long avenue of display boards celebrating Eliz 11 70 anniversary. She made an impact in 2008!

OE Vienna 2

A forced tour of coffee and cake shops with the odd diversion to gape at some more grandeur. You’ll have spotted that Barbara was in Art Noveaux baths not Baroque yesterday.

The wealth to create such a place boggles the imagination. Somehow it all fits though and isn’t OTT. Must keep the equivalent of Cadw or English Heritage busy. Even the Hapsburg place (or one of them) is getting a makeover. They all seem open so can’t have any Historic Scotland gurus advising on making life difficult for visitors.

The Botanic Gardens probably mean a lot to botanists. Weeds and welcome shade to me. Not even statues they came in abundance in the next door Belvedere park grounds.

Been a lovely two days exploring and getting lost with Mrs Google Maps which makes it all interesting. Tomorrow into Slovakia and Brastislava.