Bodensee & Danube by boat to Budapest 2022: 5 - Vienna, Austria to Budapest, Hungary and home

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

This morning we were to stop at Hainsburg, Austria, but plans were changed and we sailed right past. It is not a big place with a lot to see anyhow, but I'll bet it upset the local chamber of commerce!! Instead we spent more time in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

This is a city very worth visiting. There is a happy, welcoming feeling to it, and lots to see and do. As usual we declined the offered tours walked into the nearby old city. When we encountered another tourist road train we hopped aboard to see the highlights, which included climbing to the Imperial Bratislava Castle where there is a great view over the city and the Danube. Mozart's House is an attraction as well. We walked for miles through the old streets stopping now and then for a wine or beer. The weather is holding well, hot and sunny.

We had lunch at a great looking restaurant, Marilynn's choice we great, mine was bloody awful. They charged me for it in spite of my not eating it, with the waiter letting me know he really didn't care as we were tourists and wouldn't be back anyhow. He was an exception, most people were great. I got my sun glasses frame repaired, and Marilynn bought two new frames to be fitted with lenses when we get home. I waited for awhile in a barbershop to get a haircut but gave up after twenty minutes.

On board ship we usually ate and drank with three couples, one English and two Scottish, none of whom knew each other from before the trip. Whenever we got together laughter was the order of the day, which made the trip really special.

The main gripe we have is that they usually sailed at night, and then tied up alongside another boat during the day, killing the idea of laying in bed watching the scenery go by. The food and service, however, were superb.

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

This morning we woke up cruising into Budapest, Hungary, passing in front of the spectacular house of parliament and other ornate buildings. There are several beautiful buildings on the banks of the Danube. We boarded a bus for an included tour of the highlights of the city. In the afternoon we headed into the countryside on a wine tour. It consisted of two wineries, one in business only 7 years, so his wines were very young but some not bad. The other was an older, small winery. The wine cave was beautifully set out with ornate covers and bread on the tables. The wines were much more to our taste. The owner was a jolly little fellow who answered all kinds of questions through our guide. He then took us into the naturally cold area deeper in the cave. where his barrels of wine were maturing When we returned to the ship our friends joined us in our cabin to continue the wine tasting with bottles of white wine we bought to drink in our room, but never got around to it. We were so close to the boat beside us that I offered the fellow in his cabin a glass of wine. It all led to another fun evening. My doctors would certainly not approve of the amount of alcohol I'm consuming, but it was too much fun not to. I'll see my oncologist on Monday for a check up.

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Everyone had to be out of the rooms by 9 AM. We said goodbye to our friends at breakfast and got a taxi to the airport where a hotel was booked. After leaving our luggage the driver, who spoke good English, gave us a bit of a tour of Pest before dropping us below the Castle area. A tiny hop on & off open air touring vehicle took us to the top. The views from both sides were amazing - the hilltop is about three blocks wide and ten blocks long. The beautiful palace at the far end. A great deal of work is being done to restore the churches and the palace., which was 65% destroyed by US bombers during WWII. We had drinks nearby before descending in the funicular, A taxi got us back to our hotel after a bit of a circular route drive. We both went to bed in short order.

Friday, June 10, 2022

Our wake up call was a knock on the door at the requested time of 3 AM. We did the morning routine and headed for the airport by taxi. This wouldn't be necessary for most people, as there is a walkway from the hotel to terminal 2, about a city block & a half long, but my leg is protesting any exercise. Inside the terminal nothing was open, but dozens of people were milling around. The hotel had kindly provided us with a packed lunch as nothing was open. A bit after 5 AM the Air France check in opened. We got a bit of a shock when the clerk at check in asked if we would be OK for climbing the stairs to the plane, but it turned out she was wrong - there was a jet way.

This flight on an Airbus 320 was the worst business class flight we have ever experienced, and that includes local airlines in Asia and Africa. It occupied the first two rows with three abreast economy seating, economy legroom, no entertainment, no pillow or blanket, absolutely nothing more than a standard economy row with no one in the middle seat. A sandwich and a bit of fruit was provided.

On landing in Paris a wheelchair was waiting, and it is a good thing as it was miles to our departure gate. The lounge near out gate was fairly comfortable with basic snacks and drinks.

When we boarded the Boeing 777 it was a relief to fine flat bed seats and a comfortable amount of space. The food and drinks were very good and the crew excellent. We both got some sleep over the Atlantic Ocean. Once in Costa Rica there was no wait for customs or immigration as we were among the first off the plane, with everything fast and friendly. A stop at duty free before a short walk had us in the good hands of a taxi driver . He took our luggage to his car and even with rush hour traffic we were soon home, where our caretaker and his wife met us with two very excited and happy puppies.

Overall it was a great trip, and a very happy homecoming.