Joy and Les’ Europe 2024-25 Trip = Bog Entry No 03

 

Wednesday 25^th December 2024                               Prague and Christmas Day

After a late breakfast headed to the markets which were open and a fair number of people about but not too busy. Had another Chimney cake with 1 each this time – Joy had one with Nutella smeared inside it. One of these each is probably more than we really needed. Bought some more Christmas decorations to take home with us.

Have been to the main square multiple times now and still haven’t seen the Astronomical Clock do its thing. Based on Kelly’s description, it might be interesting, but not a tragedy if we don’t see it.

Back to accommodation to rest and get ready for late Christmas Lunch and start doing some packing as we leave tomorrow to go to Budapest.

We had Christmas Lunch at Restaurace Mincovna with Kelly and James and some of James friends, etc. We had arranged to be part of the Kris Kringle and it was 10 euros worth. The rules were simple. Name drawn from hat (well actually an app on a phone) and you picked from the bag of gifts. That was it. No swapping, etc. Joy got a Prague bag and Les got a little ceramic house that you put incense in and it smokes through the chimney. Had a very nice meal. Joy had the Prague ham and Les had chicken with pea puree and root vegies. For dessert Joy had coconut ball and Les had apple strudel. It was lovely to be involved in a larger Christmas family lunch rather than just being on our own.

Les' Kris Kringle. You burn incense and the smoke comes out the chimney,

Christmas Lunch Restuarant in Prague

After lunch, which went from 2:30 to about 5:00 pm, we did a short walk through the markets which were opposite the restaurant before we left the crowd and headed back to finish packing, etc. We also had some leftover dessert from the previous night so that was our tea!! Think we might have satisfied the Christmas tradition of eating way too much.

Thursday 26^th December 2024                    Prague to Budapest

Another day when we move on as we leave Prague (Czech Republic) and travel through Slovakia to Budapest (Hungary). Up at normal time as we have to finish packing and get to the railway station for a train at 9:42.

It was very cold with puddles turned to ice and a very good frost. Our phones said minus 3 degrees. We had to carry our suitcases down the first flight of stairs at the Metro station to catch our subway train towards Prague Station. They are gradually making the public transport in Prague ‘barrier free’, but it is taking time. Swapped trains at Museum and arrived at Prague Station at about 8:30. When travelling on the subway trains we are able to buy ‘Seniors’ tickets (60 to 65) which are ½ price. Once 65 and over travel is free. But we also had to buy tickets for our suitcases! Fortunately, there are lifts and escalators all the way from the subway to normal trains at the main Prague Station. Joy got a coffee as we had plenty of time. The station was very busy, and we think it was because of Christmas and people leaving now Christmas is over. After Joy had her coffee, we headed up onto the platform for our train which was due in about 15 minutes. Our train starts at Prague and ends at Budapest, compared to the train we took from Dresden to Prague which started at Hamburg and finished at Budapest. When the train arrived there was a rush to get on board with several people running (mainly the 2^nd class carriages). As we had seats reserved we did not worry too much but just hoped we would have space for our suitcases. We found our seats and between the two of us managed to get the suitcases in the luggage rack above our seats. We settled in for a 6-hour train ride.

Prague Station

We were surprised at how quickly the train gets out of Prague as compared to Sydney. We seemed to be in the country area fairly quickly. It looks like we got the good side of the train as the sun is shining on the other side and making photos out that side very glary. Joy ordered a cappuccino on the train and it was delivered to our seats. The benefits of 1^st class! The coffee cost 59 czk which is about $4 AUD. The scenery in mostly flat however we did pass through some small valleys with hills but not mountains. Lots of little towns and some medium size cities as well. Not a big distance between towns. We saw several lots of deer and herds of up to a dozen. We saw some snow on roofs when we had passed into Hungary but nothing major.

We were the last carriage!!

Lunch on train

Dessert on train

We ordered lunch on the train and again we ordered and had delivered to our seats. We always try to book the single seat side of the train and the seats that face each other and have a table between them. Joy had gnocchi with pumpkin sauce and blue cheese which Joy said was good – the gnocchi were a bit odd looking as they were long and thin, as if they had rolled out a log for normal gnocchi then forgotten to chop them up. Les had chicken schnitzel with potato and that was also very good. Joy had plum crumble for dessert and Les had honey cake which was very big but very nice.

The number of passengers varied as we passed through some major towns but probably ½ were Prague to Budapest passengers.

When we arrived in Budapest we had to work out how to get from the station to the hotel. Options 2 km walk with suitcases, metro train but no lifts or escalators to the subway, or taxi. Les had enquired about taxis and when we were trying to find a ‘licenced’ taxi, a taxi pulled up and we asked if he was available and he was – he did check first that we hadn’t ordered one, and I wonder if that was because he isn’t allowed to take a fare that had been booked for someone else. He quoted between 3 & 4 thousand Hungarian Forints (Les’ enquires had said about 3,000) so we were happy enough with that. The ride was interesting as we went into the entrance of a car park to be able to turn around and head back to way we needed to go. Then we had to turn right when our hotel was on the left but that was because it was a big roundabout around a park and only one way. Anyway, we made it and it came to about 3,200 so we paid 3,500 including a tip.

Is this on your bucket list?

Booked into the hotel and then headed out to the Christmas Markets St Stephen’s Basilica via the Chain Bridge and Margaret bridge so we ended up walking between 6 and 7 km. We had not taken our gloves and beanies with us which was a mistake, and the temperature dropped quickly and it was also about 6:00 or 7:00pm. After wandering down some narrow streets (and talking about what to do if we get mugged!) we arrived at the markets. The markets were busy without being over the top but lots of duplicated stalls. We were after something for tea and also wanted to use the local cash, but many places only took card. We finally found a stall with pretzels and apple strudel and also took cash. WELL the pretzel was stale and the strudel was only average. Live and learn!

Viking Var, our home for 9 nights starting tomorrow.

Chain Bridge, Budapest

Budapest

Budapest Parliament Building

Budapest Parliament Building

Margaret Bridge and Yes it does have a bend in it!

View from Margaret Bridge looking back to Parliament Building

Early night as we have had a long day.

 

Friday 27^th December 2024                          Budapest

Well today is the day we board our River Cruise, which is one of the main reasons for this Europe holiday. We were allowed to book in and leave our luggage from 12:00 noon with access to our stateroom from 3:00 pm but we could have a light buffet lunch if we arrived early.

The hotel booking included breakfast, which was a European breakfast which includes cold cuts, fruit, pastries, etc but we did also manage to find some cereal. Les also had some scrambled eggs but they were overcooked and not very nice.

After breakfast we checked out but arranged to leave our suitcases and backpacks at the hotel. We wandered down to the other Christmas markets, which we knew would be closed as it was too early for them to be opened. We then walked along the riverbank to the Shoe Memorial on the riverbank. The memorial is very sobering, as it’s to commemorate the people who were lined up on the riverbank, ordered to remove their shoes as they were valuable and could be used, then shot so their bodies fell into the river – done by the Hungarian fascist militia. But because of the enormous number of people who come to look at the memorial, it’s hard to get the full effect, both in terms of looking at the memorial, and also in contemplating what it means. 

Shoe Memorial

Prague Parliament Building

We then went past the Parliament Building that we had seen the previous night from the other side of the river. Wandered back to the Christmas Markets we visited last night but did not buy anything. The markets in Budapest have different things to the markets in Berlin, Dresden and Prague, so Joy is still interested in wandering around them.

Back to the hotel where we collected our luggage and headed to the ship as it was only about 200 metres from our hotel. Had to carry/drag our suitcases down a few flights of stairs.

Check in was a fairly easy, straight forward process and we went to the Aquavit Terrace at the front of the ship for a light buffet lunch. Joy had vegetable broth, pasta bean salad and goulash followed by Nutella panna cotta. Les had goulash and spinach rice with apple/apricot flan for dessert.

We were able to go straight to our stateroom so we did so and the luggage had been delivered so we unpacked our suitcases as we will be on the ship for 9 nights so might as well be comfortable.

Afternoon tea was from the coffee/tea area which has a coffee/tea machine and sweet treats. It’s only about 20 metres from our stateroom, which could be dangerous. Did some more diary and prepared another blog (well started to prepare).

Went to the lounge for a ‘meet and greet’ session and safety demonstration. After this we went back to the room and then we had the safety practice drill. The Program Director had said that in an emergency the captain could run the ship aground quicker than we could do the safety drill. Personally, we think he could run the ship aground and then have a cup of coffee and still be finished before everyone would have their lifejackets on and at the muster point. Some people just do not listen to instructions. We have also noticed how many Americans are on the cruise and some of them are in groups and are the stereotype of being loud obnoxious and not taking notice of what is happening and talking through presentations. Also have worked out they must have bought the drinks package, and they are trying to make sure they get their money’s worth. We get free standard wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner which is enough for us.

Yes it is a long ship and this is only 1/2 of it. Behind is the kitchen and restaurant area.

Our Stateroom for next 10 days. Came with a balcony. 

Coffee 24/7! or Hot Chocolate. Also milk and hot water for Les' Milo.

Staircase from main deck to our level.

Tonight was the first of many meals where we probably ate too much!!

Roast Chicken Supreme and Vegies. A standard item which means it is on the menu every day.
There are about 6 that are on the menu every day, 6 or so for that night and a starter, main and dessert being local food depending on what our location is.

Saturday 28^th December 2024                                     Budapest

Our first full day on board the ship. The trip we are doing is the first time they have run this trip so there might be a few teething problems and one we have noticed is that the TV showing our excursions and the daily details is not correct. We have been told to ignore it and just go by the ‘Viking Daily’ newsletter we get each night. It is left in the cabin with our excursion tickets when we are at dinner.

We did the shore excursion of ‘Panoramic Budapest’ which was a 3-hour trip made up of coach trip through the two parts of Pest and Buda and a walking tour of the Budapest Tower area and the cathedral. It was a good tour and we decided to leave it at the cathedral and wander the streets on the hill at our own pace (this was free time) but also walked back down the hill and across Chain Bridge rather than catching the coach back to the ship. Near the cathedral there is the Fisherman’s Bastion where there is a good view across towards Pest, and there is a built up section for people to stand on to take photos – well, it was a bit chaotic, and some photo rage when people didn’t do the right thing and wait their turn, or took too long taking selfies and getting the perfect Insta shot.

We were ½ way across the bridge when the coaches arrived at the ship which is moored next to the bridge, so we were only 10 minutes behind them.

The most popular cafe in Budapest. The queue to get in is about 400 metres long and people queue for hours to get a table! Want to be VERY good for me to do that.

Cathedral above Budapest

Cathedral above Budapest

Cathedral above Budapest

Fishermen's Bastion

View of Prague from Fishermen's Bastion

We have free time this afternoon as the ship does not leave until well after dinner. Wandered the streets a bit more and got some drinks, bottle of wine and snacks. We have to pay for any drinks outside of the lunch and dinner sittings so wanted something in case we wanted to sit on the balcony and have sundowners (which would be at 4:00 pm as that is when the sun goes down). Les then went back to the ship and Joy went to see the Christmas Markets that had been closed when we walked there the day before.

At 6:30 we had a toast to the guests when we meet the captain and senior staff. We got a free drink for this and Les ended up with orange juice and champagne so only had 1 sip! The port talk was next which is what will happen that night and the next day. We can also watch this on our cabin TV.

Sunday 29^th December 2024                        Budapest to Győr

The ship left at about midnight. We are amazed that they can navigate the river in the dark (and fog). When we awoke it was foggy outside but we were heading up stream towards Győr.

The waiter we had this morning wasn’t very attentive (had him later and he was fine). Learnt if you want the pancakes, French toast, etc to order as soon as you sit down as takes a while to arrive.

Spent the morning taking photos and exploring the ship including a trip to the sundeck (roof) which was covered in frost. Very cold this morning especially with the breeze as we motor along the river.

Walking Path on Sun Deck, covered in ice.

Yes it was cold on the balcony but had to get the photo!

After a while we moved to the lounge and watched the scenery pass by. We have seen many people in the lounge, etc and all they are doing is being on their phones and not voice calls.

The afternoon was another excursion this time to Győr. As the main branch of the Danube does not flow through Győr (only the minor Danube flows through it) we had a 20-minute bus ride from the mooring point to the city. Once there we were taken on a walking tour of the town seeing the old buildings and the newer “Communist” buildings which are mostly plain concrete or similar. We walked up to the church on the hill overlooking Győr and then back down to the city square. 

It was now about 4:00 and we had 1hr 10 mins free time and had to meet back in the square at 5:15 so we could walk to the buses and the ride back to the ship. We had a look for a café and found one, but it was full. Eventually found a ‘café bar’ which was down a spiral staircase and well underground. Very low seats and high tables. We got a cappuccino and warm milk. We were the only customers there while up on street level it was busy. Back to the square by about 5:00 and back to the ship in time for the port talk which we did in our room as it is broadcast on the TV.

At 9:00 Gabor, the Program Director, gave a presentation regarding canals and locks which was interesting. Back to the room by about 9:45.