Budapest Gyor Vienna

Absolutely lovely evening last night in a 5 start restaurant - which was a huge surprise as the brochure indicated that we were having dinner with a local family at their farm.  Turns out this local family owns a winery and flash restaurant, so after some delightful wine tasting - just loved the Rose, cheese and nibbles, it was time for upstairs to be waited on with some fabulous local delicacies.  Very yummy.  When we came back to our coach, we saw that there had been some light rain but it was still warm.
Got to bed a very tired and totally satisfied little princess.  However that didn't last long.  I was sound asleep when Marianne woke me up to tell me that the green light from the camera battery charger that I had plugged was keeping her awake!  A delightful couple from New York had been having trouble with their camera, typically Miss Know It All  (that would be me) offered to see if I could get the battery to charge, and it was very easily done.  However I had to take the charger out of the socket so that Marianne could sleep - I would have thought that closing her eyes and shutting her mouth would have been helpful. End result I don't think I ended up getting more than about 3 hours sleep as she proceeded to toss and turn and snore, often all at the same time.  I contemplated smothering her with my pillow but apparently that is illegal in most European countries no matter how sorely provoked one might be.
Anyway, haven't had nearly enough sleep but managed to get up and out to the coach for an 8 a.m. departure to the magnificent Hungarian Parliament House.  Our group had a private tour through this beautiful building.  Its history is fascinating.  Took 19 years to build, but was built entirely by Hungarian locals who donated so much of what was needed to build it.  they even brought their own gold to be melted down to create a very fine gold paint that is used extensively throughout the building.  The dome area also houses the Hungarian crown. sceptre and rod.  It is billed as the most ornate state parliament in Europe and I reckon they have that right.  We then went to see some more different architecture which was interesting and then a walk across a park to the world famous Gundel restaurant for chocolate pan cakes and drinks.  Once I get a chance to download some more photos I'll include one of my yummy chocolate crepe. .

Then it was back on the coach and off we head to Vienna.
We cross the Transdanubia region to Gyor where we stopped in a quaint little city for lunch.  I was still full from my earlier chocolate indulgence so had a drink and an apple to fill me up again.Once again I was impressed by the architecture of this little place.  It seems that every building can tell a different story. Lots of Baroque style in the main walking mall. Then off we head again to Vienna where we are staying at the Hilton Danube - very impressive. The hotel is right on the river, although our room is not on the water side - no matter it is a huge room and very luxurious.  I intend getting a good night sleep tonight, and may even forgive Marianne by tomorrow morning if I do.
Weather has been cooler than yesterday with more cloud cover but still warm and no need for jackets.  Off to a local restaurant for dinner tonight where there is also lots of music, so I'll probably be asked to perform a couple of ABBA numbers or too - or Waltzing Matilda!!! (I've already had 2 couples ask me to sit with them for dinner tonight, so I have no shortage of dinner companions, however I wish you guys could be here to share this fabulous trip - well not really all of you, just those of you who meet the special best friends threshold!)