Ben's Early Birthday in Budapest Part: 1

Me in front of Parliament.

We finally figured out the downtown train station for Budapest during our trip to Pécs. So we decided to travel to Budapest this past Saturday for the day. We had wanted to go back since we didn’t get to experience it much during our training. So I wanted to go this last weekend since the weather is FINALLY better and also as an early birthday present. 

We caught the 8 a.m. train to the downtown station in Budapest. When we arrived we had a couple of goals in mind. We wanted to spend time at the Buda Castle, we wanted to visit the House of Terror, and we wanted to have some nice meals. The first thing we did was purchase a book of 10 public transportation tickets. We also saw what we think is the only Starbucks in all of Hungary. We didn’t go in because the coffee shops here are far better than any Starbucks we have had.

Dana in front of Parliament

So we hopped on the subway (metro) to the palace area. We came out of the station and saw the view of parliament that we hadn’t seen since we first arrived in Hungary. It is a beautiful building and we hope to explore it more on another visit in the future. We walked along the river and came to the famous Chain Bridge that opens to the Buda Castle. The castle is at the top of a somewhat steep hill. There is a tram that goes up it but it had a huge line so we just decided to walk it. The climb was very easy and we felt that the people waiting below were idiots. The view from atop the hill was beautiful. We also happened across the changing of the guard. That makes our 3rd changing of the guard experience (London, Prague, and Budapest). 

Chain Bridge

The line to ride the tram up to Buda Castle

The Tram

Half way up the hill on foot. :)

Chain Bridge over the Danube

Changing of the Guard

Man playing the trumpet for the change.

We walked around and took in the sights and then decided to get lunch. The weather was great and we found a place with big open windows to the outside and we ate. The food was good and we enjoyed relaxing. Then I flagged down the check and I tried to pay with a card. They tried it about 10 times and they said their machine was broken. I asked where the nearest ATM was and they said not to far. I let Dana stay as I went on the hunt. I spent the next 40 minutes on a mad hunt for the stupid ATM machine. As you can guess, it was not close to the restaurant. During my hunt I accidentally walked in on a conference that I was shuffled out of, I cursed at tourist walking in “la la” land taking up the whole sidewalk, and I saw the same sites over and over as I tried to find an ATM. I eventually was guided to the Hilton found an ATM and returned to Dana. We paid I left a crap tip because I was angry and we got on with our day. So if you travel in Hungary make sure to have plenty of cash. I already knew this but I was running late that morning and did not have time. 

Ruins on top of the hill and the palace in the background.

View from our Cafe. Before the fun started :(

Matthias Church

Fisherman's Bastion

View from Fisherman's Bastion

More of the Bastion

Inside Fisherman's Bastion

Man playing a bagpipe like instrument.

We made our way to the Fisherman’s Bastion and I cooled off after enjoying the view for a while. We looked at the cathedral behind the Fisherman’s Bastion and just really enjoyed it. We then ran into our friend, Debra who lives in Budapest. We joked about how funny it was to run into her and then parted ways. We then went over to the Palace and walked around it. We compared it to the ones in England, Vienna, Prague, Monaco, and other countries we have been to. It was definitely just as beautiful and had a great view. Then we went down the hill toward the city again.

Buda Castle 

Kids on a field trip to the castle

View from the castle

Behind the castle

The courtyard of the castle

The top of the hill as we were leaving

Come back tomorrow for Part: 2!