Friday, August 26, 2011

Budapest

Monday 11 July
This morning we went on a guided bus tour of the city including a tour of the Hungarian Opera House,
 Heroes Park
and the Castle district which includes the Fisherman's Bastion and the Mathias Church.
After a light lunch we walked to the Market on the Pest side of the river and then walked back through the city and back over the Chain Bridge to the ship. Pest was largely a market town and the present market is located in an old railway station. Being a Monday the streets were crowded with people. The market was particularly crowded, especially in the area where food - hotdogs etc was being sold. The street leading to the market is lined with stall holders selling postcards, souvenirs and novelty items. Women often stop passers-by to try and sell knitted items - good price (possibly made in China). Restaurant staff actively tried to encourage patronage of their restaurants.

In the evening there was lively and colourful Hungarian entertainment - three musicians and four dancers - followed by dinner. The ship started its journey down the river just before 9 pm. It was a great sight.

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