Cruising the Danube from the Black Sea to the North Sea
April-May 2023: Day 15

Budapest, Hungary

Introduction

We woke to the sound of traffic as we were moored in an industrial area of Budapest. This day was free time for us, as all but 19 of the 60 or so passengers disembarked at the end of their Bucharest to Budapest cruise.

On the loose in Budapest

The 19 remaining passengers took the shuttle into Budapest at 0930. We walked north along the Danube to Parliament, the old historic Chain Bridge (closed for repair) and other shopping streets. Despite reluctance we stopped at Starbucks for coffee and donuts. At least they had toilets and good Wi-Fi. Continued south to the Central Markets; the lower floor had food stalls and the upper floor for crafts. Bought plum and cherry strudels for lunch. Later walked over bridge, back along Danube to Elizabeth Bridge and back to Marriott. By the time we returned to the ship the new set of passengers had arrived. Guests now close to 150.

River views as we sailed into Budapest

Not our ship but there were plenty of other cruise ships in Budapest.

The river bank and the traffic we had to negotiate when getting off the ship.

The Buda side of the river

Academy of Sciences

There were plenty of old trams.

And plenty of spring flowers

The famous chain bridge, closed for repairs.

Cast off shoes...

cast in bronze

as a memorial to those who lost their lives here.

The Buapest Parliament Buildings

hard to photograph

And not accessible as they were setting up temporary seating for the imminent visit of the Pope.

Looking upstream to the Elizabeth Bridge

The Hungarian Navy on patrol.

The riverbank is notable for the bronze statues

This one is Roskovics, the artist

Dog with ball

Jester

The market hall full of food and trinket stalls

Walking across the Danube from Pest to Buda

Gellert Hill caves

Oops - VW into Mercedes. Costly for somebody!

Gellert Hill caves

Budapest at night

After dinner the crew took the Scenic Jade for a slow sail up and down the Danube to show off Budapest at night. The star attraction was the lighting on the large Parliament buildings, and the many bridges that cross the river.