Monday, September 12, 2011–Vienna, Austria Sacher Torte

We rested up from the trip to Budapest.  It was our first time inside a former Iron Curtain country.  People are wonderful but the city can be a little depressing after 40 years of communism.  As a fellow in a bar told us, “They pretended to pay us, and we pretended to work”.  So things fell apart or were poorly constructed.  We think it appeared progress is being made.

Later in the afternoon, we went out to try a Sacher Torte at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna. I'm not sure why it is so special. It IS a good chocolate cake but I wouldn't say it is exceptional.

The story of the world-famous Original Sacher-Torte began in 1832, by Franz Sacher - a soft and fluffy chocolate cake with the tasty apricot jam under the icing.

  

Some pics of excavation being done in the subway – a church located actually under the St. Stephen Cathedral.  It is always amazed at what they discover when building and expanding subways.

   

Sunday, September 11, 2011 – Budapest and return to Vienna, Austria

One last tour around the city before we depart this afternoon to return to Vienna.

We went up to the Castle Hill Palace area to see it up close.

The Matthias Church

Fisherman’s Bastion

View of city from the top of Castle Hill

The Citadel original walled city on Castle Hill

View down the Fectular across the Danube River to Budapest

Old original buildings.

The Robinson Restaurant is a unique attraction in the heart of Budapest with its own island on the City Park lake near by the Heroes Square, Museum of Applied Arts, Amusement Park, Budapest Zoo, Metropolitan Circus, and the Art Gallery.

Saturday, September 10 – Budapest

We just went riding over to Buda to see what they had over there in the hills.

 

City Market in Buda Hungary.

How about the Gatao Wine?

Now we are back over in Pest  - the flat land.

   

Szechenyi Bath and Spa – it was a nice day and the pool looks inviting.

  A Hummer Limo in Budapest!  Kids birthday party.

         

A striking memorial to the 1956 revolt can be found on the edge of the City Park. It shows a series of beams, starting as rusty iron and transforming into gleaming glass as it breaks through the hard stone ground in a sharpened point.  This was to symbolize the communist  - one alone is weak, together to be strong.

         

Anna Café – a wonderful place for a snack.

   We had this lovely Hungarian Country Platter of food –  Hungarian salami, sausage, bacon cheese, onion, green pepper, boiled egg, w / bread for a snack at Anna’s

    

They also had some wonderful desserts.

Friday, September 9 – Budapest City Cruise on the Danube River

Today we are going to take a boat tour on the Danube River to see the city from the water. 

We start out with lunch  - bowl of Hungarian Goulash – beef, seasonal vegetables, potatoes. carrots, onions, pepper and wine.

Next we are told about the Market.  It is a very nice building on the outside and also inside with rows of vendors selling fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, and spices.

 Edward looking at the shops on the way to the Market.

  Central Market - This is the largest market hall in Budapest, dating back to the end of the 19th Century. Crammed with stalls, it is always crowded with both tourists and locals. There is a wide variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs and other specialties.

  There are several vendors selling spices.

We get on the tram to take a look around

  This is a new museum and convention building under construction.  It is to resemble a whale surfacing the water.

The Budapest Citadel enjoys a privileged location: it was built on the highest hill of the city, the so-called Gellerthegy. The citadel was designed this way by the Hapsburg monarchy for military purposes.

The Freedom Bridge in Budapest

Taking a break in the warm sun waiting to change to an open bus tour.

Matthias Church – the tile roof was shining so bright.

View in the open bus.

St Anna Parish Church Vizivaros Budapest

The Parliament Building on the river side

The Parliament Building on the street side

  Great old building

 

 

  The flowers are still great everywhere.

Now here we go again on a boat tour of the city on the Danube River.

Edward boarding the “Obuda” tour boat (the name is a the top of the boat on the side)

What relaxing on a boat again!

  Elizabeth Bridge bears the name of Queen Elizabeth,

  Royal Palace - Also known as Buda Castle, or the Royal Castle, the Royal Palace dominates the city skyline from its vantage point on top of Buda Hill. The 304-meter-long facade looks particularly magnificent at night, when lit up over the mighty river Danube below. Architecturally the Palace is a hodge-podge of styles, being built, destroyed and reconstructed countless times as the tides of history have swayed to and against the royal residence. There are no state rooms left to explore, however it has the National Library, the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum inside.

 Chain Bridge was the first permanent bridge between Pest and Buda. The bridge was completed in 1849.

River Cruise Boat and Hungarian Reformed Church

The Matthias Church in the center of the Buda Castle district

  Parliament Building

  Edward and Elaine with Parliament Building in background

The Parliament building appears larger from the river.

  Enjoying the beautiful day on the Danube River in Budapest

The Funicular going up the side of the hill to the Citadel.

The Cave Church

Church in a cave of the hill.

 

Lágymányosi Bridge -The newest bridge of Budapest.Completed in 1995. It is strictly for rail.

It got a little chilly by the end of the tour.

 

The Old Street Café restaurant was so warm and cozy

We had to try the CHICKEN PAPRIKA with Hungarian noodles!