And so, 8 months after we arrived into the country, we managed to get away to the capital for a weekend of exploring with the kids. Our intense pre-planning, performed the morning before we left, landed us right back in the same apartments we always stay in. No problem - the building is well located by the Duna (Danube), the rooms are modern and clean, and most importantly there is an old cage-style elevator with wooden doors and elaborate iron works that the kids love to ride in. Perhaps the only things not shown below.
Regardless - I come for the river, and this is why, right here.
There isn't a boat I haven't photographed along the banks - so I will try to contain myself here. But, c'mon now...
Hungary in city, country and village respects bicyclers, period. They have their own paths, lanes, and here, lights. How cool is that.
Umm...well...c'mon now...
The kids feign enthusiasm for their mama with a famous statue. Dangerously perched on a slippery rail just in front of the tram tracks. Well, mama really likes this statue.
Ahem...
The history of tragedies in this country will not be overlooked, nor should they be. This is a memorial of the Jewish who were lined up along the banks of the river and shot. I cannot write this with dry eyes. The shoes were left behind because they were useful. Pause, reflect.
Unfortunately, this was one of our first stops in the
morning, and the required lecture also did not incite the kids to enthusiasm about our
trip. But, there is time for that.
One of the only photos I took that I like, because of the colors.
The Parliament building is covered with small pointy "hairs" - if you are not familiar see the post on "Szarvas" for the mini-model. This is a detail of what the hairs really are. Shockingly, not hairs.
The whole building is slathered in sculptures. It could be called obscene, if they were not so incredibly awesome.
A view near the top of the spires with various demon heads.
Little guys...it just goes on and on.
There are many opportunities to encounter the Duna first-hand. I really like this integration with the river. My climbing girl liked the little slides, much more interesting than plain old steps. My heart/body/mind froze when I spotted her inches above the water on the slide part, eagerly testing her abilities. (Actually it was another, steeper, staircase). Sensible words of warning - gone. Fortunately her shoes did not fail her.
The steps up close. There are several more below the water line...note the cutouts for...?...and the flowers that even survive underwater.
The walk took a sensible turn into a cafe - a fabulous 2-story cafe. The boy likes to read the bill and make some conclusions. I concluded it was expensive.
Back out on the street, approaching Margit Hid (HEED, people) - a bridge. Climbing girl going over the wall. Further down you can see our objective - the bridge down to the island.
Just a chance to display wife's new haircut, scheduled for the previous evening, which required a couple hours of separation in a different part of town and dinner for me and the kids at a really bad Turkish fast food joint. But, Rossman was handing out paper crowns and the playground totally rocked. Oh, and the haircut was a success, as always.
Sigh...actually it's hard to image what they really DO with all the boats.
Except for this one...obviously steaming along with some cargo, right under our noses as we crossed the bridge.
A German boat, loaded with stuff for living aboard - like a smaller boat, some cars, and a couple terrariums in case they miss Terra Firma?
Living the life...
Finally out on Margit Sziget (that just means 'island') - basically just a park, with some ruins in the middle. Here the kids enjoy another fabulous playground
and making friends along the way.
Afterwards we rented a 4-person bike/coach and cycled around the park, observing some ancient trees
and ruins of the church named for Margit, a former princess. Here is our princess prancing on the tops of the ruins
ever so carefully!
