Hong Kong and Eastern Europe Day 6

September 2009


Day 6


Once again we started our morning with a pastry breakfast, good thing we're doing all this walking! We then headed off on the metro line to the Szechenyi Baths. Before we got to Budapest we did a lot of research and reading on Budapest's bath and decided on the Szechenyi for two main reasons, the first being that it's unisex, the second that it seemed to be a more traditional Budapest style bath, rather than the local Turkish style or some of the more tourist style. The Szechenyi baths did not disappoint. We started in the outside baths, the one's you've probably seen pictures of the men outside in the baths playing chess. We were glad that we came in the morning instead of the afternoon, as it wasn't that busy and it was clean, when we met up with our tour later, some of them had been that afternoon and said it was packed and not very enjoyable, so keep that in mind when you head out.

After the baths we caught the metro back to the Great markets and had lunch upstairs "fast food" style. I loved my stuffed cabbage with sour kraut and you are sure to find a local delicacies at a great price. With the rest of the afternoon to spare, we decided to spend the afternoon at the National Museum before meeting our Intrepid tour group in the afternoon. Now most people don't understand why we nearly always participate in small group travel, such as Intrepid while on holidays, and it's simple this was my 5th Intrepid trip and DH's 2nd and I wouldn't do it any other way, the groups are never over 15, you're with other like minded travellers, it takes the hassle out of border control, site recommendations, travel and other small bits that can take up so much time, plus there is plenty of time for doing things on your own with or without other group members.

Our new tour companions all headed out for dinner at a local restaurant, Koleves, serving traditional Hungarian food in a funky setting (the chandeliers were made from wine glasses!). Before once again heading back to the hotel for a good nights rest.