I
managed to last a few hours of 2018 without having a trip booked. My lovely
friend offered to look after Shiloh for me so I decided to book a weekend
away.
I
went straight onto Expedia and managed to find a trip to Budapest leaving the
Friday coming.
Many
people ask me how I have so much annual leave to travel as much as I do.
Usually when I go away for the weekend, it’s literally that - the
weekend.
Friday
after work, I got the train from Blackfriars and headed to Luton airport. I
don’t think I’ve ever flown from Luton before and to be honest, I doubt I’ll
fly from there again.
You’d
think each airport is the same but honestly what a dive! It’s chaotic, it’s
messy, it smells - it’s just gross. Even in the airport lounge wasn’t
particular nice.
When
I was at the airport, I realised I’d forgotten to pack my phone charger.
Luckily I went to Dixon and bought a new one. Sadly that cost £26 - not
impressed considering they only few quid on eBay.
Next
up I headed to the gate when I discovered my flight was delayed. At the same
point I realised I left my scarf in the airport lounge.
They
say things come in three’s so I figured I’d had mine (1. Phone charger, 2.
Delayed flight. 3. Forgotten scarf). Sadly not, I arrived at Budapest
airport and called my transfer to be told I'd have to wait an hour before
someone could come get me because I’d missed the shuttle. At 01:15 I figured
screw this so I hopped in a taxi.
I
woke up at 7:30am Saturday as I had booked a tour of the parliament building
for 9:15am. After only about 5 hours still, it was pretty hard getting
up.
After
wandering the streets, and thanks to Virgin for the ability to use my phone
(and google maps) in Europe free of charge, I stumbled across the stunning
parliament building.
The parliament building
in Budapest is the second largest parliament in Europe and the third largest in
the World. It’s a very impressive building.
Here is a view of the stunning building from across
the river.
Our
tour guide was very informative and funny. He explained the architecture and
the amount of gold used within the building.
We
saw the precious Crown Jewels of a very historic king (history isn’t my strong
point but shiny things are). These were protected by two regal guards who were
keeping a very close eye on me (it was extremely unnerving this man constantly
shifting his gaze to look my way).
After
the tour, it was time to find some breakfast. I had a coffee and biscuit before
the tour but I was pretty hungry by now, and no one wants to be hungry in
Hungary (sorry I couldn’t resist!).
I
headed over the other side of the river and found a nice upmarket cafe. I
choose the traditional breakfast and a pot of tea. It was more brunch time
now.
After
brunch, I walked up to the castle. The view point over the city was stunning.
It was pretty overcast this morning but slowly it burned off and lovely blue
sky crept through.
Whenever
I travel, I just wing it really. I don’t like to plan too much. I like to walk,
look at a sign post or check trip advisor for ‘near me’ and go from there.
That’s exactly what I did here.
There
were a few places I wanted to visit such as Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias
church and Castle Hill. They were all fairly close by so I simply walked.
I love
finding the most traditional places to eat and drink when I’m away. I found a
lovely restaurant and stopped for a refreshing local beer. They were playing
beautiful live music. A violin and another instrument I’m really not sure what
it is?!
Next
place I wanted to visit was the Magic fountains in Margaret Island. It was
3.5km from where I was but I figured I’d walk there. I finally got there to
discover it was closed. I had read a few trip advisor reviews before that said
it was closed but I’d managed to forget that - opps.
It
was time for a late lunch. Again I found a local cafeteria style restaurant and
literally just pointed at something. It was beef goulash with some odd white
stuff. I literally have no idea whether it was some pasta/potato or even flour
based thing. It was nice but very filling.
I
decided to head back to the hotel for a nap. I was pretty exhausted from all
the walking and lack of sleep.
After
my nap, it was time to head to the opera. I’d packed a new dress for the
occasion, it was only cheap but still nice. When I put the dress on, I managed
to break the zip. I was pretty annoyed as I wanted to look nice but I had to
put my white jeans and stripy blouse on.
When
I arrived at the theatre (another 2.5km walk), I felt a little out of place.
Not everyone was super dressed up (expect for the stunning blonde girl in the
floor length pink dress) but I was definitely the only person out of hundreds
in white jeans - opps.
I’d
decided to book a box ticket. It literally cost under £10. I had the whole box
to myself. The view was fantastic.
I
saw The Gypsy Baron. Thanks to the sub titles, I managed to follow along. It
was very long - 3.5 hours. The plus to this was the two interval breaks and the
glasses of champagne for roughly £6.
On
my walk back towards the hotel, I found a lovely restaurant for dinner. Rose
restaurant was another traditional restaurant with live music and plenty of
locals. I had a lovely meal of salmon, gnocchi with spinach. Not exactly
traditional Hungarian but it looked too good not to choose.
I
was back at the hotel tucked up in bed by 11pm. I really wanted to go see
parliament building at night however I was far too tired to head there again. I
ended up walking just under 32,000 steps. That’s probably the most I’ve ever
walked in a day.
I
had a little bit of a lay in and woke up at 8am. I wanted to head to the
Szechenyi thermal baths. It was 3.5km away so I decided to walk. It was so
foggy but on my way, I walked past a memorial which included a section of the
Berlin Wall. That’s why I love walking as you see these random things.
When
I got to the spa, it was buzzing with locals already. I got there about 9:45am.
I headed straight outside to the pool. A lovely temperature of 38 degrees
allowed me to sit outside for nearly an hour.
It
was the perfect morning to sit, reflect and manifest the life I want. I’m very
blessed with the life I have but I’ve also started to plan the other things I
want in life.
I’ve
started reading The Secret again. This book explains the Laws of Attraction. I
truly believe in this and I’ve started applying this to my daily thoughts. Good
thoughts attract good things.
I’ve
had a few things go wrong this trip and before I might have allowed that to put
me in a bad mood but you know what, it didn’t. Everything happens for a reason
and it’s ok.
The
thermal baths were huge! I very nearly didn’t explore indoors but I’m so glad I
did. There were about 17 pools. All varying temperatures and offering different
health benefits. There were steam rooms and saunas with lovely scents. There
was even a beer bath. You pay a certain amount and you stay in a spa with hops
and maze and drink unlimited beer for the time you’re in it (I didn’t do it but
I know a certain brother and brother in law that would love it!).
I
decided to leave the spa and get the train back towards the hotel. The ticket
cost just over £1 and it was a cool experience seeing the tiny stations.
I
found a lovely place for lunch. The ambience was so traditional and quaint. I
spent time just taking it in and eating some yummy cake and drinking mulled
wine.
I
headed back to the airport at 3pm. That was pretty early considering my flight
wasn’t until 6:40pm but that’s the joys of arranges transfers.
I
would usually have a slightly later flight home but it just worked out the best
flight landed back at 8:30pm. This is better for a Sunday evening as I need to
be rested for work on Monday.
As
always, this has been a lovely trip. I’ve been a bit antisocial this trip. I’ve
avoided conversations with strangers and I hadn’t even been on my phone that
much. I wanted some me time. Lots of reflection and gratitude time.
I
liked Budapest but I wouldn’t rave about it. Go if you get the chance but it’s
probably not my favorite city I’ve visited.
