Budapest is becoming very familiar. We have been schlepping around and are doing pretty well navigating the city. We took the HoHo yesterday but it was very hot so we switched to an air conditioned bus.

The architecture is fabulous. Everything from neo classic to baroque. I wonder how it survived the war. We are staying in the Jewish quarter and it is very vibrant and young. It seems to be the heart of thr bar and restaurant scene. We ate in a lovvely local restaurant with traditional food. It was delicious. We had a three course meal the highlight of which was somlo which is similar to tiramisu. So delicious.

We are boarding later and will see what the day brings.

Budapest Hungary

I hate Miami airport.  Delays so much that we missed our connection in Frankfurt and had to wait three hours and get rebooked. All because of the idiots in Miami. So we finally made it. It has been at least twenty years since we were here and it sure isn’t that sleepy little country just getting over communism. It is vibrant and young and very middle class. 

After a good night’s sleep and a great breakfast we met our friends and headed for the famous Gellert Hotel and spa where we spent the day soaking like lobsters in boiling waters of different temperatures in four separate therapy pools. 

It being Friday night we went to the famous old synagogue here and went to services. Very interesting and very beautiful. 

All that religion made us hungry so we stopped in at a local bistro for dinner.  Very good. I am really tired. It was very hot today so it felt like home. Meeting people from all over the world. 

River Cruise

Getting ready for Danube River Cruise and roaming around Germany.

LeHavre

T his is the port for Paris, Normandy and Caen. Most people went to Normandy but our group headed for Giverny (home of  Claude Monet) and Honfleur. There are no words to describe Giverny. Nothing can prepare you for it's beauty and serenity even though you are surrounded by hordes of fellow tourists. You are transported to the era of the Impressionists. You are literally left breathless by the gardens. Monet planted those gardens himself. Just amazing!  It takes a lot to shut me up and I was speechless!  I cannot say enough about the glory of this place with it's extraordinary house and magnificent gardens.

After a lovely garden-side luncheon at Giverny we concluded this most special day with a stroll around Honfleur, a tiny village at the mouth of the Seine where Monet and the other Impressionist masters painted. It is quaint and lovely. We sat at the seaside stuffing our faces with chocolate croissants. Is there a better way to end a trip?

I have returned to California to spend a few days with the family and reflect on a wonderful trip with my sister and a group of great friends. How wonderful life is!  I am ready for the next adventure.

South Queensferry

South Queensferry is the port for Edinburgh. It is a long tender ride. Fortunately it was a nice day and the seas were calm. We headed for Edinburgh castle which sits on a bluff high above the city with a commanding 360 degree view. It is still a military base and the home of Scotland's Crown Jewels. It was unbelievably crowded. After seeing as much as we could and unwilling to fight the crowds anymore we headed for a cute local pub for lunch. After a leisurely lunch we took th HOHO to see the rest of the city, which is beautiful but loaded with tourists. After that we headed back to the ship for a sea day and to prepare for France.

Invergordon

Invergordon is the port for Inverness. This is a lovely part of the country with beautiful scenery and mild weather. The area is filled with beautiful lakes, Loch Ness being one, rolling green hills and castles. We visited Cawdor Castle of Macbeth fame. It is a historical site as well as the current residence of a duchess. Although it is a real castle it has a homey feeling with beautiful furnishings and magnificent gardens. We lunched on freshly made scones which were fantastic with clotted cream and fresh strawberry jam. Our private guide regaled us with many facts and stories. It was marvelous. On the way back to the ship we stopped at Culloden Moor, site of a bloody battle between the English and the Scots in which the Scots were severely trounced. This battle figures prominently in the Outlander series. We also stopped to see the stones which are similar to those at Stonehenge. It was some sort of burial ground. What a fabulous day.

Greenoch

Greenoch is the port for Glasgow,Scotland. We had a five- hour walking tour of the city with a knowledgeable guide. The weather was cold and rainy. We walked miles and were bombarded with information. We had a long lunch in a nice pub and walked back through the major shopping area. Another day of running around in the rain like lunatics. Glasgow is a lovely city with polite, nice people.