Baths, funiculars, and labyrinths!

Trip Start Aug 25, 2006

Trip End Sep 10, 2006

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Where I stayed

Radio Inn Budapest

(Budapest hotels)

Flag of Hungary Budapest, Hungary
Tuesday, August 29, 2006

In the morning we remembered that we are no longer in college and staying up til 4 am is a BAD PLAN when you need to function the next day. So we opted for a low-key morning and went to the Szechenyi Baths. The system to pay was a little confusing, so it helped to be with Russ who had been before. The baths themselves are awesome. There's 2 large outdoor pools--one warm and one cool. Inside there are smaller sulfur baths and high-temperature baths. There were lots of old men playing chess while standing at the sides of the baths. In the cooler temperature pool there's a giant whirlpool that everyone piles into and gets spun around in--it's a chaos of arms and legs and people travelling at different speeds. Lots of fun, but amazing that no one gets hurt.

We relunctantly left the water and after lunch, went up the Buda Hill funicular to see the sights at the top of the Hill. Buda Palace is not terribly exciting, but the views from the Hill were very nice

St Matthias Church

. St Matthias Church is large and not as elaborate as the basilica, but boasts a very interestingly tiled roof.
Many of the guidebooks described Fisherman's Bastion a over-rated, but I had been excited about seeing it after it was featured on an episode of The Amazing Race (yes, I am addicted to that show). I thought the guidebooks were wrong--paying the small fee to climb it afforded us amazing views over Pest.

Afterwards we parted ways with Russ, Pat, and Anne who were being picked up at 5 pm to head to Andi's hometown for pre-wedding events. John and I went through the Buda Labyrinth--which is supremely cheesy. On the way back to the hotel we sung by the Cave Church--but unfortunately I was wearing a tank top and short skirt and had forgotten a sweater so I had to stay outside while John went in. Reminder to self: always have a wrap handy for times like this! We decided we were too tired to climb Gellert Hill or be creative about finding a new restaurant, so it was dinner at Fresca again, followed by excellent ice cream and an early night.