The aim for their last few days together was simple; soak up the bathing culture of the city and fill their bellies with amazing local delicacies.
With a quick 3 nights planned for Budapest with Emma’s sister, Jacinta, and her parents, Marie and John, the aim for their last few days together was simple; soak up the bathing culture of the city and fill their bellies with amazing local delicacies. Well, this was what Emma, Pete and Jacinta planned to do…Marie and John had more ambitious aims of conquering the city and ticking off every stop on the Budapest city bus tour.
Emma and Pete had both spent time in Budapest previously, but there was one thing that had eluded both…the famous Ruin Bars. Armed with a list of recommendations, they set off with Jacinta on their arrival night to discover these gems, unique to the nightlife of Budapest. First stop was Instant, a rambling labyrinth in what seemed to be a crumbling mansion, each room decorated in its own theme and many with a lone DJ spinning the tracks to an invisible crowd. It was uber trendy, and seemed like it’d be pumping in a few hours, but wasn’t quite the chilled vibe they were after. So they negotiated the way out through the maze of rooms back onto the street and onto the next recommendation.
Szimpla was a bit more what they were after. Literally a facade of an old town house, the interior had been gutted and recreated with makeshift scaffolding creating the levels within. Over the years, a random collection of objects had been carefully foraged to adorn the space, everything from a surf lifesavers outlook post, to a plethora of potted plants, to odd bicycle parts to knitted tea cosies. In daylight you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a junk yard sale, but by night with fairy lights strung amongst the eclectic mix of odds and ends it makes for a pretty cool place to enjoy a beer or three.
Emma and Pete had both spent time in Budapest previously, but there was one thing that had eluded both…the famous Ruin Bars. Armed with a list of recommendations, they set off with Jacinta on their arrival night to discover these gems, unique to the nightlife of Budapest. First stop was Instant, a rambling labyrinth in what seemed to be a crumbling mansion, each room decorated in its own theme and many with a lone DJ spinning the tracks to an invisible crowd. It was uber trendy, and seemed like it’d be pumping in a few hours, but wasn’t quite the chilled vibe they were after. So they negotiated the way out through the maze of rooms back onto the street and onto the next recommendation.
Szimpla was a bit more what they were after. Literally a facade of an old town house, the interior had been gutted and recreated with makeshift scaffolding creating the levels within. Over the years, a random collection of objects had been carefully foraged to adorn the space, everything from a surf lifesavers outlook post, to a plethora of potted plants, to odd bicycle parts to knitted tea cosies. In daylight you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a junk yard sale, but by night with fairy lights strung amongst the eclectic mix of odds and ends it makes for a pretty cool place to enjoy a beer or three.
The following morning, Marie and John snuck out early on their sight seeing missions, while Emma, Pete and Jacinta enjoyed a slight sleep in (nothing to do with the previous nights activities of course). When finally awake and ready to face the world, Emma and Jacinta set out with a long list of sights to see. From their AirBnB located in the Erzsébetváros district, they set off through the Palace district towards the Hungarian National Museum, then along the beautiful Radley Street lined with cafes, towards the Central Market Hall which was unfortunately closed, and arrived at the most important aim for the morning, the stunning Café Gerbeaud where every sweet delicacy of the nation can be found.
Gundel palacsinta. It kind of rhymes with Jacinta, so only appropriate that she should order this delicious dessert. Emma decided to settle on the indulgent Somlói galuska. Without knowing what they had actually ordered, they were presented with mountains of cream, glistening chocolate, freshly cooked pancakes sprinkled with icing sugar and nuts. Thankfully Pete eventually wandered out to find them, and rescue them from their imminent Death By Chocolate.
Gundel palacsinta. It kind of rhymes with Jacinta, so only appropriate that she should order this delicious dessert. Emma decided to settle on the indulgent Somlói galuska. Without knowing what they had actually ordered, they were presented with mountains of cream, glistening chocolate, freshly cooked pancakes sprinkled with icing sugar and nuts. Thankfully Pete eventually wandered out to find them, and rescue them from their imminent Death By Chocolate.
The second morning didn't turn out all that differently, except this time Emma and Jacinta only made it a few blocks from their AirBnB to the wonderfully decorated cafe, GoaMumma. With the smell of a proper flat white lingering in the air, and the counter laid out with morning coffee deliciousness that needed to be sampled, the sightseeing was put on hold for more urgent matters…sisterly catchups over coffee with plum tart and German bread for the taking.
After a few more hours of wandering the streets, everyone reunited for a well earned (cough) soak in the Szechenyi Baths. Easing into the bathing atmosphere, they all floated around in the expansive outdoor swimming areas before venturing inwards to find the more exciting saunas, icy plunge pools and spas.
Emma, Pete and Jacinta headed straight for the hottest sauna they could find, sweating it out until they could last no longer then making a bee-line for the refreshing 18 degree plunge pool. Marie and John stuck with them for the first round, then looked on from the side lines, thinking their daughters and son-in-law must have gone slightly insane when they went for round after round of searing sauna to freezing water. Its sounds torturous but they can all assure you that its the only way to experience the historic baths.
Emma, Pete and Jacinta headed straight for the hottest sauna they could find, sweating it out until they could last no longer then making a bee-line for the refreshing 18 degree plunge pool. Marie and John stuck with them for the first round, then looked on from the side lines, thinking their daughters and son-in-law must have gone slightly insane when they went for round after round of searing sauna to freezing water. Its sounds torturous but they can all assure you that its the only way to experience the historic baths.
Leaving the baths and feeling throughly cleansed and relaxed, they all headed to the beautiful Monument of the 1956 Revolution, taking in their last sunset together in the park before an amazing final dinner at Hoppá Étterem back in Erzsébetváros, serving up delectable traditional Hungarian dishes.
The next morning Marie, John and Jacinta said their final farewells to Emma and Pete, and jumped in the car to drive off to the blue skies and turquoise seas of Croatia. Meanwhile, Emma and Pete were about to experience a very long and hot train journey towards Serbia.
The next stage of the journey had begun… stay tuned for more.
The next stage of the journey had begun… stay tuned for more.