It took us all night and half a day to get to Budapest, but the dramatic entry into the heart of the city which is bisected by the Danube was unforgettable. There we were, on the deck of the boat, sailing comfortably past all the monuments and Bridges, as Robert gave a commentary. My previous visit here was in 1985, a quick overnight trip from Vienna. Then, the border controls had been rigourous, and driving into a city with pot-holed roads and buildings still damaged from the 2nd World War was depressing. 
We docked conveniently near the Central Market into which we swarmed as soon as we got off the boat. As it was a Saturday, traffic was not too heavy, though we did have to look out for trams which occasionally came on the tracks parallel to the docks. We had to look out for the speeding cars, though.!
Our guide for the city tour was Zoltan. He was a retired engineer, spoke excellent English and gave a very comprehensive tour, giving us a personal insight into the Communist period, as would all the guides in the East European countries.
The buildings have been slowly restored to their former grandeur, but lots of work needs to be done.
Sylvia and I skipped dinner to go to an organ concert in the Parsh Church where Lizst had played. Both the organist and the organ were so-so, but there was a full house, and an appreciative audience.
Those who were on the seven-day cruise disembarked the next day and the rest of us were bundled off to the conutryside so that the crew could "sanitise" the boat for the new group of passengers.
We had an uninteresting drive through the arable land, before arriving at Kecskemeth, the home-town of our cabin stewardess, and of Kodaly. Had a drive around the town, the guide pointing out places of interest.
Onto the grasslands of Hungary...the Puzta... to have lunch and a show featuring the horsemen of the area.
Of course we had Goulyas to start with and then a substantial meal before tottering off to the show grounds. We were entertained with gypsy music and the Saltoons got Sylvia and me to dance the Hora. The costumes and whips used by the horsemen was more interesting than the show! It was very hot and dusty!
Back to the boat for our departure to Kalocsa, which we visited the next day. This is the paprika capital of the world, but first we heard a 30-min organ recital at the cathedral. The organ has 4000 pipes and corresponding decibels. The organist chose a selection of music to show off this capability...very enjoyable!
We were dropped off in the heart of town to wonder around(pretty boring!) and then whisked off to the village of Hungarian houses and the Paprika Museum. Unfortunately we could not go to a parika factory, as the plants were not yet harvested for the year.
We docked conveniently near the Central Market into which we swarmed as soon as we got off the boat. As it was a Saturday, traffic was not too heavy, though we did have to look out for trams which occasionally came on the tracks parallel to the docks. We had to look out for the speeding cars, though.!
Our guide for the city tour was Zoltan. He was a retired engineer, spoke excellent English and gave a very comprehensive tour, giving us a personal insight into the Communist period, as would all the guides in the East European countries.
The buildings have been slowly restored to their former grandeur, but lots of work needs to be done.
Sylvia and I skipped dinner to go to an organ concert in the Parsh Church where Lizst had played. Both the organist and the organ were so-so, but there was a full house, and an appreciative audience.
Those who were on the seven-day cruise disembarked the next day and the rest of us were bundled off to the conutryside so that the crew could "sanitise" the boat for the new group of passengers.
We had an uninteresting drive through the arable land, before arriving at Kecskemeth, the home-town of our cabin stewardess, and of Kodaly. Had a drive around the town, the guide pointing out places of interest.
Onto the grasslands of Hungary...the Puzta... to have lunch and a show featuring the horsemen of the area.Of course we had Goulyas to start with and then a substantial meal before tottering off to the show grounds. We were entertained with gypsy music and the Saltoons got Sylvia and me to dance the Hora. The costumes and whips used by the horsemen was more interesting than the show! It was very hot and dusty!
Back to the boat for our departure to Kalocsa, which we visited the next day. This is the paprika capital of the world, but first we heard a 30-min organ recital at the cathedral. The organ has 4000 pipes and corresponding decibels. The organist chose a selection of music to show off this capability...very enjoyable!
We were dropped off in the heart of town to wonder around(pretty boring!) and then whisked off to the village of Hungarian houses and the Paprika Museum. Unfortunately we could not go to a parika factory, as the plants were not yet harvested for the year.
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