Budapest Sunday 14 September

light rain and grey skies this morning a we come into Budapest. We are late arriving due to a long delay at a lock last night so about half an hour behind time schedule. After a light breakfast we are now entering the prettiest scenes on the Danube that Budapest is well known for, so lots of photos taken from the sun deck of the boat. Pity we don't be doing this bit of the cruise at night because the lights of parliament house and all the other buildings along the river are spectacular.

We are then doing a coach tour around the city, seeing both sides. Buda has the 7 hills and Pest the plains. The government have now stopped tourist buses to go up the top of Buda for the castle so we won't be going there this morning. Didn't get a good opportunity for photos from the coach but many different building styles. There is something like 92% home(apartment) ownership since no longer a communist countryas the communists claimed all properties so everyone had to rent from the government, but oncethey became independent, they could buy back their homes at very low amounts because the country had been bankrupted under communist rule. Big difference in how Hungary viewed communist rule from Bratislava yesterday.

Unfortunately it was raining for our first stop at Heroes Square.

Back on the coach and we then have a walk through the city to the cathedral which we are unable to go into due to it being Sunday and a mass being held. There was a very pretty park which had been established to remember the holocaust, which I was a bit surprised by seeing as only 1%of the population is Jewish but there is also a prominent Jewish quarter and synagogue so it is a fitting tribute.

More walking until we get to the church where have a little free time so we head to a Cafe for coffee and cheesecake to share.

Time to head back on the coach to our boat for lunch. We aren't very hungry so entrees only.

Lunch is barely over and we are back on a coach again for an optional tour of the Hospital under the Rock. It is raining steadily which is a bit of a pain but we soldier on. We are also going to the castle at the top of Buda too but have quite a walk to get there as the coach can't be up the hill any more.

You had better appreciate those photos from the castle because I climbed some 157 steps to get to the top and practically needed oxygen by the time I go there plus it was raining!

Coming part way down those stairs again, we have our tour of the Hospital in the Rock. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take any photos inside but it was amazing.

It is now a museum of the hospital created in an underground cave system for use during WW II and then the Cold war's nuclear threat. It is worth looking up on the net. Very well done and our guide was very informative in its history and use. I've been to Budapest before and never knew this existed. This has actually been the highlight surprise of this trip. But now time to head back down more steps to our coach and then back on board the Vega where we can't put it off any longer, but it is time to pack our bags in readiness for our early departure in the morning. Needed a glass of wine when we were done! But now it's time for dinner. we are serenaded by a Hungarian trio and the meal is traditional Hungarian food. I have now discovered that I do not like their food! Entree was a crepe filled with beef and pork mince. Soup was a fish soup that only took me 2 mouthfuls to decide I couldn't stomach any more. Main was a fried flat bread with cheese and vegetables. Dessert was meant to be a rum cake but didn't live up to any expectations. All was very nicely presented but was my last favourite meal the whole cruise. No matter though, as I have been well fed the rest of the time and really want all that hungry. Next we will be able to compare Hungarian food to Portuguese.

We have a 6.30am departure for the airport tomorrow so are aiming for an early night. It had been a great cruise and I've enjoyed every port of call. The boat is really lovely and I would certainly recommend this tour to anyone considering a river cruise in Europe. However it is time to get the passports out again as we head for Portugal.