Budapest, Hungary

After a great train trip we arrived in Budapest.  Our hotel was on the southern arm of the river south on the Pest side,  I had copied down some directions off the hotel website,  so we set off on our way with the initial help of a friendly Hungarian whose actual original mission was to get us to stay at her hotel, but when she found out we already had accommodation she still pointed us in the right direction  - luckily or else we may have had trouble finding tram 23.  We jumped on and after awhile it became clear that there was no stop named anything like we were supposed to get off on.  I got my notes out again, and decided that no we must be right so stayed on for a bit longer.  Then got off in the middle of now where with no one to ask for help - then got back on the next tram and off two stops later  only to be told we were miles away from where we needed to be and to catch another bus blah blah blah - are you getting the picture yet!  By this time it was around 2pm, 34 degrees, packs were heavy and we were getting totally pissed off.  After catching another bus back to were we got off the second time, I said to Murray bugger this lets get a taxi, we asked the taxi driver who said no you can walk there - yeah right - about twenty minutes later we got there, literally dripping wet, dangerously thirsty and completely knacked!  Thankfully our cabin was really neat, but unfortunately the bar didn't open for about 1 hour, so stripped off and lay on the bed and had a zizzz.  Welcome to Hungary.

Hotel botel Lisa, Budapest

The local drop went down a treat, cold too.  We went for a little walk along the river bank, there was a big rowing club on either side of the boat, with eights, quads, doubles and singles.  Lots and lots of people were rowing.  And the river was actually quite busy, with small boats going up and down and people sunning themselves on the banks and people fishing.  The water, like the Danube was very dirty hence why no one was swimming.  We decided to have dinner at the hotel restaurant which was really nice and tasty traditional Hungarian food - goulash - delicious.  

Yummy !

After a good nights sleep we decided to head off the next day, hire some bikes and go along the river.  Ah no -  you can rent a bike but pick up is in the city, we didn't really want to go back into a city and look at more old things ie churches, castles and the like.  We headed off towards the east sort of and hoped to come across the other river - which we finally did, and walked along until we could no further and then tried to get back came out in the middle of an industrial area and followed a train line out until we finally found something familiar.

The other side of the peninsular (?)

Lets just follow this for awhile and see where it get us......

We ended up by catching a train into Budapest.  We then jumped on a boat and went for a bit of a tour up the river.  We got off at Margaret Island.  A beauty spot with steep concrete ramps down to the edge of the river.  It was a stunning day and lots of people were out sunbathing.  The island was 2.5km long by 500m.  It had two major hotels on it, a running club, loads of parks, a padded running track right around the island, pubs, gyms, swimming pools and of course some ruins.  No cars, only taxis and buses, which is quite neat.  We went for a walk around some of it before heading back to catch the boat.  Definitely recommend a visit to this place.  Originally is was known as the Island of rabbits and was a hunting ground, then in the 13th century it became a nunnery and King Bella IV made a promise to his country that if he sent his daughter Margaret to the nunnery, he would then rebuild the city after the Mongol invasion.  So 11 year old Margaret was sent there and this hence the name.

On Margaret Island looking back towards Pest.

A big burly policeman trying to encourage a topless bather to put something on.
She was not keen at all and it appeared to take ages for her to reach for something to put on,
later on Murray - just happened to be walking past and she was topless again. - Poor boys!!

Hungarian boat ramp - Margaret Island style. 

Drive the boat on and winch it back up.

The hydrofoil that runs between Vienna and Budapest.

We caught the boat and headed back down the river, seeing some impressive sights along the way.  We got off and walked to the main train station to sort out the next days journey.

Hungary Parliament building, built in 1904, one thousand people worked on constructing it with 40 million bricks,
500,000 precious stones and 40 kg of gold !  Standing at 96m, and 268m long, with 10 courtyards and 691 rooms.
We were told the draughtsman never got to see it before going blind, as it took over ten years to build.

The Margaret Bridge

The Chain Bridge 

Its not every day you get 40,000 from the ATM

Bratislava, Slovakia

After a two hours flight from Istanbul to Vienna, we walked out of the airport and walked straight into a linking bus that was just about to leave for Bratislava - perfect!  The bus trip was only one hour and cost very little.  The countryside was really pretty and there were loads and loads of wind turbines and paddocks full of yellow rapeseed flowers.

The contrasts of color were amazing

We did have a little glitch with our accommodation booking so had to find some when we got there.  No problem we thought, it was stinking hot so we stopped for a local brew and got directions to the big I.  It was a beautiful cobbled city with loads of big trees and gardens and everyone seemed to be enjoying the sunny day.   The young ladies were beautiful and very well dressed, most had dresses or skirts on with matching high heels.  I actually felt a little scruffy in my 3/4 pants and top.  Anyway we eventually got to the info center, and the lady there suggested a few spots and we finally got a place a little out of town.  It was called Hotel Galleria Spirit.  It is famous and apparently is on the worlds most unique buildings list.  It is pretty bizarre to look at, all shapes and sizes and colors inside and out. And they had an awesome breakfast to top it off.

Hotel Galleria Spirit

The dining/communal room

the third floor

reception area

That evening we heading into town for a walk around and some dinner, we found out that there was a art and craft event on and that was why everything was booked out.   Dinner was great, and we continued walking around until we could go no further.  the next day we headed off on the bus and ended up on the other side of the river.  We went to a huge shopping center to get a bit of a shopping fix and then did some sight seeing.  There is a really neat suspension bridge with a restaurant on top called UFO - because it looks like one, at 85m and a viewing platform at 95m.  We made a reservation for dinner that night.

The massive River Explorer

from the UFO restaurant

Slovakia by night

A beautiful dinner

Looking back at the bridge, there was a walkway along both sides of it, underneath the road

Slovakia, is an absolutely beautiful place, the Danube River we must say was a bit disappointing as it was so discolored - not at all blue.  Off to Budapest, Hungary tomorrow on the train for a couple of nights then on to our next helpx.

What we may look like in a couple or so years - haha

Litochoro, Greece

Thessaloniki - We spent a couple of days in Saloniki (as the locals call it) before heading south.  A port city which is right on the beach, with a neat walkaway along the waterfront.  Loads of cafes and cool spots to hang out.  We were there over Easter weekend, so most things were closed - which was a bummer as there were some really cool looking shops that I could have done some damage in - Murray was happy they were closed!    On easter Friday night we walked through the city to the big church were the celebrations were happening at 11pm - not being religious at all we probably were a bit out of place but who cares.  Lots and lots of people were out and about and we felt quite safe and got back to the hotel around 12.30ish.  The next day we headed off to sort out our next mode of transport - push bike/skateboard/horse/fairy wings!  Thankfully it turns out to be bus to Istanbul 10 hours 35 euros - not bad, leaves at 9pm at night so all good.  Spent the day walking along the waterfront, eating out, and enjoying the sunshine.

Our view from Hotel Pella towards Mt Olympus

Thessaloniki waterfront

Further along the waterfront with the White Tower to the far right

A bar boat

This old guy in the foreground is flying this massive eagle kite

Typical street

St Sofia Church

These gorgeous trees line the streets

A church with open sides

 Next morning we headed to Litochoro  -  a lovely little seaside spot! about an hour south of Thessaloniki.  We arrived by train and were picked up by Periklis our host for a week.  A short drive later we arrived at Summit Zero his backpackers at Gritsa beach.  A really neat place that would sure hum in the summer!  It was nice and warm and Peri's family were there to celebrate Easter together, so we left them to it as we looked around.  Jobs were allocated and we got started, sweeping decks, designing, planning seating around a big maple tree.

Sweeping the deck

The workers - Murray and Peri's nephew Seb

The following day was was fine, so I started to sand the railings which I needed to freshen up with a coat of paint.  Murray started digging holes, and Peri was off to get the supplies.  Upon his return he had another idea.......later.  Next day it rained, so we went into Litochoro village which is quite small, on the side of a hill, really pretty, with narrow winding cobbled streets and lots of interesting shops.  The village is on the lower part of Mt Olympus (ancient home of the God  Zeus) - which is the tallest mountain in Greece standing at 2198m.  It looks stunning from the backpackers.   There is no ski field as such, but you can ski you just have to walk up it.  It is very popular for hikers, climbers etc and has many refuges (huts) on it. that are open from May to Sept.  The village is apparently really busy in summer as I can imagine.  It had cleared a little when we got home, so we did a bit of work.  Next day was about the same - where's the sun gone! Peri's idea needed putting into action so he and Murray went for a drive and came back with some unused railway sleepers which remarkably jumped on to the back of the ute all by themselves - if you get my drift.  A bit  of re planning took place and then new decisions were made.  Nick and Dee our helpx friends whom we met in Vassara were coming to stay the night, they put there trailer tent up by the backpackers.  It was great to catch up with them again, went to the local taverna and had a delicious meal.  They left the next morning heading towards Istanbul where we will catch them in a few days time. The sun came out and so did the shorts, I did heaps of painting and Murray continued on with fitting a key pad lock to the dorm door, which was causing him a  little grief.  We have now had a couple more days of good weather and I have finished painting the railings and Murray has completed the seats around the tree.  We filled our days with a bit of housework and handyman stuff too.  All in all a great stay!  There is a big quarry up the road a bit so there is a continuous flow of trucks bringing metal to the barges waiting at the wharf, they load two and then a tug comes and tows them across the bay to Thessaloniki.  The metal is being used to extend the airport so that bigger planes can come and go.  So we watched the boats coming and going from work - cool.

Nick and Murray attacking hot property

Tug boat with the two barges loaded and ready to go

Peri and Murray - last one

Hammering the seat tops on the metal dowels

Irma chilling out

Peri kindly took us for a drive to his Grandfathers Olive grove and then on to Mt Olympus - the ancient home of the gods.  The highest of  its eight peaks is Mytykis standing at 2918m.  We wound our way up the hill stopping at a couple of lookouts, the first one overlooked the 5 hours walking track below and also a face that the climbers used to rock climb.  Awesome views of both the mountain area and Litochoro below.  

View of Mt Olympus from Summit Zero hostel

Looking towards the mountain and the climbing face on the near right

Looking down the canyon to the sea and towards the south

Looking northwards

Mt Olympus - with the Zeus face on the right side

By the river

Me, Murray and Peri

Thanks Peri for your hospitality.  If anyone is ever in this area we recommend a stay at Summit Zero, Litochoro.   www.summitzero.gr