There are 33 country names al jumbled up into anagrams. I manage 31 but for the life of me cannot work out the last two. I know some have completed so I don’t bother handing mine in. When I see the answers later I could kick myself they were so obvious!
It passes a relaxing morning with quite a bit of banter going about.
The thing to do in the mornings seems to be numerous laps of the sun deck to work off all of the food. There are two particular ladies who take their morning exercise very seriously and god help you if you are stood in the way, they will just walk through you!
The cruise into Budapest this morning is a highlight of the tour. With the sun shining in a clear blue sky the approach is nothing short of dramatic and many cameras are clicking away.
There is a very real sense of excitement among the passengers after this morning’s journey.
After lunch we are going on a city tour and once again are called off first into coach number one, which is a small 30 seater waiting at the top of the gangplank. Our guide, Anna, is also waiting for us as we begin on the Buda side of Budapest.
The first hour is walking and it is very hot except for the obligatory church visit. Much to everyone’s amusement the guide hands me her lollipop sign while she collect the church tickets and I go over to stand by the entrance holding the lollipop high above my head. Cue more pictures!
Back on the coach continue to see the sights before going to a viewpoint high above the city which affords magnificent views of the Danube and Budapest far below.
As well as us there must be a few hundred motorcycles here in what is a monthly meet for them. There is also a demonstration on its way and we just manage to get away before the police close all the roads down.
The temperature signs are showing 28 degrees!
Dinner is earlier tonight at 06:00 as there is an optional excursion to see Budapest by night and visit a folklore show.
We should have done these trips tomorrow but there is the Budapest marathon on tomorrow and most roads will be closed so the weekend has been swapped around.
I am not having dinner on the boat tonight as I’m on a mission for a ruby!
My friend Paul is engaged to a girl who lives in Budapest and he often visits, the most recent time a couple of weeks ago. He brought back a card from an Indian restaurant he loves called the Taj Mahal and advises me to try it.
So tonight’s the night! Anna pointed out its whereabouts on our tour so I have my map marked with a route.
As it is such a lovely evening I have decided to walk and begin my expedition with a stroll along the promenade and over the famous Chain Bridge into the centre. The demonstration has reached the bottom of the bridge and it has been closed to traffic so I walk across on the road as opposed to the pedestrianised walkway on the outside. I am not a fan of walking (or driving) over bridges and find the road the less scary option!
I am reading a book at the moment by Adam Lebor called The Budapest Protocol and the image on the front is a man walking onto the Chain Bridge on the roadway!
Once over the bridge I stop for a refreshment in the John Bull pub before continuing through the very lively centre. What a lovely place.
After an hour I am at the road where the Taj Mahal is but am very hot from the warm evening and my exertions so feel it is only right to have a beer sat outside a bar to cool down.
The restaurant is down a dark and slightly dingy road but is well worth the effort. The staff are all dressed in traditional Indian costumes, even though most are locals, and the service is great.
The food is delicious and I really am glad I made the effort to come here. I have my picture taken and also show them a snap of Paul and they recognise him. A lovely evening.
I go back to the boat by taxi.
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