I set off today with one plan and ended up on quite a different path. As I walked off in the direction of Parliament I espied the bus that went up into the hills above Buda Castle so I jumped on and up I went, rather blindly, as is often the way, ending up at Matthias Church. The church itself didn’t open until 1pm, it being Sunday, and I was there before 10am. But I went to the Fisherman’s Bastion which has the most splendid views over the city. I was quite spellbound by the magnificence of the views and the amazing buildings dotted along the Danube. The only problem was the masses of tourists, predominantly Chinese, intent on their photos.
I wandered around the streets and shops of Upper Buda and loved it. Then I went down to the Hospital in the Rock and did a tour of that which I enjoyed for the extraordinary history attached to it and the complexity of the Hungarian experience through WWII and the Russian occupation. Their alliance with the Germans makes it hard for them to explain the seige of the city by the Russians, who are clearly much hated. Anyway, most interesting.
Then I went back up to Trinity Square, found a place to have a bit of lunch and walked some more. By this time the Church was well and truly in operation so I bought my ticket and went inside to have a look around. Very lovely really despite the fact that this iteration is post WWII, nonetheless it has been beautifully reconstructed.
Then back on the bus and back to my hotel for R&R & washing. The Danish couple I chatted to last night told me about a restaurant they loved so I foolishly decided I’d find it tonight. Foolishly because it cost me a total fortune. I decided I was there so I might as well make the most of it, but it was definitely a once off. The name of the restaurant was Cyrano (Kristof St) and I had gooseliver (Hungarian specialty) and Bass Fillet. Very nice, very up market and 2 glasses of wine cost a massive fortune as well. Anyway, once in a while you do these things I guess.
Then back here to puddle around in my lovely room. Tomorrow I think I’ll head off for the Jewish Quarter.