Budapest 2006

 

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We didn't schedule nearly enough time to explore Budapest, Vienna, and Prague, so when we arrived at the hotel we headed right out for a walk on Margaret Island.  We found a tram headed for the river so we jumped on and tried to figure out how to pay.  BY the time we found someone who could explain the system to us in English the tram stopped on the bridge over the island so we jumped off and hoped for the best.  The only vehicles on the island were public busses and some contraptions that looked like golf carts.  We thought we were renting one of the latter but it turned out to be a disguised bicycle which was very hard to peddle.  We spent the rest of the time in Budapest recovering.

 

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This is the south entrance to Margaret Island.  It is a heavily used public park that contains two mineral water spa hotels.

This fountain plays music which is coordinated with the sprays.

Poor St. Margaret.  Her daddy the king put her in a convent where she died at the age of 29.

The observation tower on Margaret Island is a Budapest landmark.

This convenience stop is constructed of brick.  It may be the proverbial brick.....

 

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Budapest is all about the buildings.  Here is the Parliament Building on the Pest side of the Danube.

The Parliament Building is actually more impressive as seen from across the river in Buda.

Walk down any street and you will see beautiful buildings.  Check out this decorative facade.

Here is another example of the architecture of Budapest's residences.

This is the station where we caught the train to Vienna.

 

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Here are some more examples of Budapest's beautiful buildings.

 

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The Budapest Castle is a bit out of the way but the spectacular views of the city and the Danube make it a must see.

This set of buildings is known as the Fishermen's Bastion.  It looks like the backdrop for a fairy tale.

This is St. Stephen's basilica.  It may be the most beautiful church in the world.

The outside of the church is quite ordinary, but the inside is incredible.  Here is the famous copula. 

Another part of the ceiling is exquisitely designed.

 

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A night cruise on the Danube is pure magic.  All the bridges and buildings are illuminated.

 

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Budapest's Holocaust Memorial is a weeping willow tree.  On each leaf contains the name of a victim.

Vaci Street is the Rodeo Drive of Eastern Europe.

We took a break from Goulash and tried the local Burger King which featured low cost internet access.

I wonder if the locals get the socio-economic significance of the McDonalds slogan.