Hungary: Eger to Budapest

Eger is a touristy city with lots to see. Back in the 16th century, the Hungarians successfully fought off a Turkish invasion from here and they're still proud of it, despite the Turks winning again 40 years later. So there's a great castle to explore, a humming old town, spas, as well as world-famous red wines.

Dusk

Europeans take their bathing very seriously. Thermal spas are everywhere and each offers cures for different ailments depending on the mineral content (and smell?) of the water. The number of crutches and wheelchairs surrounding thermal pools is astounding, and some baths are only accessible if you have a doctor's prescription!

Roger in thermal spring


Sunset over Eger

From Eger we headed west to Gyöngyös - pronounced jernjersh - through rolling countryside (read: hills) and then to Hatvan. The westerly headwinds were still tiresome so we opted for another train to Budapest.

Scenery between Eger and Budapest

Budapest! Wow, what a city!

This is a great place to hang out so we took the opportunity to rent a great apartment for five days. The apartment is in a renovated old building, has 15 foot ceilings, and modern furnishings. It's also about the same price as two dorm beds in a hostel. We've been catching up on domestic things such as shopping, as well as visiting the sights, of which there are many.

Looking east to Pest from Buda Castle

Budapest by night

A nice building

A nice church

Since the end of communism in 1989 the Hungarians have been collecting all their old statues and putting them in a park near Budapest. These huge soviet-era monoliths are worth the trip.

Communism lives

We spent an afternoon cycling along the World Heritage Andrassy Avenue to City Park where there are more thermal baths, museums, art galleries and a zoo.

Chariot

The reflected Fisherman's Bastion near Buda Castle