Budapest, Hungary and Heren Porcelain Factory

From Zagreb, capitol of Croatia, to Budapest, Hungary by train. This timeshare is in the burbs, hopefully, not so far that we're out in the country.

TPetnehazy Club Hotel, Feketefej U. 2-4.
1029 Budapest, Hungary (361)13918010
1 BR, partial kitchen, in residential area of Budapest, four miles from downtown.

The best thing about Petnehazy was the sauna in the bathroom. Heavenly, light the fire under the rocks and sit back and let the heat bake the aches out of your bones. It held four people.

The timeshare complex was surrounded by vast forests and farm land. Next door was a riding stable. We did not ride horses. We knew we’d need more than a sauna to get our bodies back in shape.

We lost weight during our stay. We walked a mile up and then down a hill to bus stop, then two buses to Moszkva Square in Pest. Then subway to where we wanted to go in Buda. Most things were across the Danube in Buda. Sounds hectic, but not really difficult. Just move with the crowd from one vehicle to another.

We bought a week-pass for $16 so on and off buses and subways was easy. Hardest part was one-mile walk back to timeshare at end of day. We survived and felt good.

This was a “slow-down” week. HA! HA! Spent our days wandering around the city; beautiful, old, ornate buildings, indoor market fun. Bought some hot and sweet paprika.

Took regional bus to Herend factory. Missed our stop and went several miles farther. Off the bus and waited for another one returning to Budapest. Found Herend. Again, we had our eyes peeled for a large porcelain factory. Instead it was two or three small buildings in a town. There was no announcement on the bus, no wonder we missed it. Not worth all the time and trouble, except there were some gorgeous porcelain figurines on display. Also, the Hungarian countryside was interesting. How else to see it?

Monday, 23 Oct, 2006 was 50^th anniversary of Hungarian Uprising against Communist Russia. Hungary lost and remained under Communist rule for many years. Large celebration outside Parliament building. We were warned not to go anywhere in Buda because of danger. We stayed snug in our room and rested/played cards/did laundry. BBC television had video of the celebration, police in riot gear, teargas. Teargas was just for crowd control.

Tuesday we headed out for major sightseeing. We were well rested, wore clean clothes, and had guidebook in hand. We walked the outdoor six-block outdoor market, turned a corner at the end, immediately eyes started watering, throats burned. Looked around, it was affecting everyone. We looked at each and said, “Tear gas”. It was still in air, etc. from night before. Of course, our first thought was trouble and how to get away. Then we realized it was just teargas. It amazed me how fast the teargas affected our eyes and throats and how potent it still was. This was my first experience with teargas; my husband was in the Marine Corps so immediately knew what it was.

Ducked into subway to escape the odor.

Walking around Buda.

Lunch time. Who can resist Gloria Jean.

Especially when your dogs are killing you!

Visited Hungarian Museum. Met a man who was there for the anniversary. Fifty years ago he was a young man standing next to the man who was shot and killed starting the revolution. He had his camera and took many pictures then. He won an award and he showed us his pictures hanging there in the museum. Also told us his experiences during the uprising. He and another man agreed to meet in 50 years in front of the Parliament building. That’s why he was there, but he didn’t find his friend because the spot where they were supposed to meet was blocked off by police.

This driver won't go far!

Went to Jewish Synagogue, very interesting; “tree of life” there. Silver metal tree in outside courtyard, many branches, leaves were silver with names of all Hungarian Jews murdered during WWII.

One last walk around Budapest. What a beautiful city, an architect's delight.

After a week in Budapest we took the train to Vienna $56/2pp. Another experience. We arrived in Vienna early morning, out in middle of nowhere. Two young women also got off train. None of us had any idea what to do. We all walked around looking for “life”; found a subway station w/kiosk to buy ticket. Of course, no Austrian money. As we pondered, two people came up from subway, gave us their unused tickets to get us into town.

We love Vienna, had looked forward to a few days of just wandering around, had tickets to “Carmen” at State Opera House.

Not to be, my “bug” finally caught up with me. I did nothing except stay in bed. Sunday night my husband called house doctor because my temp was so high. I was so “out of it”, I didn’t know a doctor had come. $250. She gave my husband a prescription and told him what pharmacies were open. Off he went. Dr. told him even though pharmacy was closed he should look for a doorbell. Ring it and someone would come to door. He found a couple of door bells, rang, no one came. Doctor’s visit to hotel on weekend, in middle of the night, $250. We had no travel health insurance, but it probably would have cost more than $250 anyway.

Next morning my fever had broke, but I felt like something the cat dragged in.

Missed opera, did nothing in Vienna, not even a strudel or schnitzel.

What an amazing vacation. I can’t imagine topping this, but we’re going to try.