Danube River Cruise - 5/9/14

Up at 5:00 AM for a busy day in Budapest. We are packed and disembarking the ship at 9:00 AM.  All are ready to roll. We transfer to our hotel for the next 24 hours, the Sofitel, located in downtown Budapest at the foot of the White Bridge; an excellent location from which to explore the city.

After securing the rooms, we all struck out in separate ways, Don, Ann and Deb and I off to visit the Budapest Synagogue, the 2nd largest in the world (New York claims the largest.)  It was a stunning facility designed in the 19th century.  During WWII, it was commandeered by the Nazi's but not destroyed, although significantly damaged.  Totally rebuilt after the war to its former grandeur, it is now flanked by gardens commemorating those who died in WWII from this community, and also a research center.  Don and Ann stayed to go through the Museum while Deb and I struck out on our own.  We toured the National Opera building, walked the city, lunched at a wonderful sidewalk cafe, shopped the shopping area and finally back to the hotel by 5:45.

Don & Ann went on to the National History museum.  George and Karen napped some, shopped some, and took a trip to the hotel casino to collect on their free drink ticket.  Only cost them around $25.00. Jan and Judy, accompanied by their escort Larry, walked the shopping area, making a variety of stops at Swarovski and Pandora stores.  Gary wandered a bit, did some shopping and general resting. He did manage to add to his commemorative shot glass collection.

At 6:30 we walked to a local restaurant (Evidences) for native Hungarian fare.  We enjoyed ourselves, however all agreed that it was time to back off from the huge portions of food we have been served, and sometimes consumed.

We walked back to the hotel and all settled in for a final pack and rest.  Our transfer to the airport is at 7:00 AM on Saturday for the long trip home.  It was a grand trip; no one vowed silence towards another' and we all will look back fondly and eventually get together to talk about it and share pictures, after we recover.

Unless something goes gloriously wrong at the airport tomorrow, this is the end of this transcription of the ten touring and toddling folks from the great Midwest.  Enjoy.