We arrived in our hotel after a pretty uneventful 10 hour bus trip from Budapest. Most of us on the bus slept the first few hours after leaving, so by the time we stopped off to 'wash our hands' we were reasonably awake. Unfortunately a lot of us have caught sore throats and head colds, DH lost his voice for 2 days, so when it started to return, he hasn't stopped talking and telling his jokes. Three people have requested to see a doctor when they arrive, mainly for flu-like or similar conditions.
Our tour guide for Prague was already on the bus, waiting for us. He is one terrific guide, told us all how to adjust our bus seats and a/c, wanted to know if we were confortable enough with the temperature, brilliant. Nothing seemed to be too hard for him to fix. He even had change for the wc's. It costs 50c to use most European w/c's.
As we passed through Bratislakia, we stopped for lunch at a diiferent restaurant. The impreesion I have of this old city is of chandliers, lots of big, heavy ones. I always liked chandliers but now I am not so sure. Anyway, after rejoining the bus for the second leg of our journey, our considerate guide put on a DVD movie for us the while away our time. This is the first time I have actually watched anything on a bus, aways seen the blank and dark screens suspended in front of us without having been turned on.
Arrived in Prague around 6pm to our decorative art nouveau hotel. The interior light fittings and stairwell are encrusted with leaves which curl and swirl around them. The elevator is a beautiful display of this art form.
Continuing our cruising experiences....World Cruise, Asia, Mediterranean, Baltics', South Pacific, Indian Ocean, Australia and New Zealand
Monday, September 28, 2015
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Budapest
Tulln to Budapest photos
Tulln to Budapest
What a fantastic welcome back onboard recpetion we were given. You know, I can't fault this cruiseline, they really bend over backwards to make our cruise special.
We sailed through the night and woke up in the morning to the grey light of rain and more rain. So happy to be taking it easy today. We have not unpacked our suitcases as we need to have them outside the cabin door first thing in the morning, making it easier just to rumage through looking for the extra change of clothes. Such an easy day. We needed it as bus travel seems to tire us out, I wouldn't have believed it, but sitting around most of the day in a bus IS TIRING! DH certainly appreciated the do-nothing day.
We arrived in Budapest just as the day's light was fading, so I managed to get some photos of the famous buildings on the Danube. Then again when the lights were on. The ship did a river cruise after dinner and the crew performed a special show, then we were able to see the beautiful Budapest buildings lit up in the night. I said to DH during the Hungaian Folk show that had performed on the ship just before dinner "that I would have liked our dear Hungarian friend 'Nic' to be here with us"
Then before we knew it, is was well after midnight and we had a 8.30am start.
We sailed through the night and woke up in the morning to the grey light of rain and more rain. So happy to be taking it easy today. We have not unpacked our suitcases as we need to have them outside the cabin door first thing in the morning, making it easier just to rumage through looking for the extra change of clothes. Such an easy day. We needed it as bus travel seems to tire us out, I wouldn't have believed it, but sitting around most of the day in a bus IS TIRING! DH certainly appreciated the do-nothing day.
We arrived in Budapest just as the day's light was fading, so I managed to get some photos of the famous buildings on the Danube. Then again when the lights were on. The ship did a river cruise after dinner and the crew performed a special show, then we were able to see the beautiful Budapest buildings lit up in the night. I said to DH during the Hungaian Folk show that had performed on the ship just before dinner "that I would have liked our dear Hungarian friend 'Nic' to be here with us"
Then before we knew it, is was well after midnight and we had a 8.30am start.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Bratislava
Friday, September 25, 2015
Bratislava, Slovakia
We travelled by bus from Vienna to Bratislava where our guide took us on a short walk through the Old City. Fortunately we started at the highest section which takes us through the old gate into the once fortified city, then the walk was a gentle down-hill stroll through winding alleys and lanes past old buildings now turned into Irish Pubs, Scottish Pubs and even a Meixcan Cantina. Our walk took us into the old city square where the Town Hall was situated. Further along we came out of the alleyways to walk past the National Theatre where our guide expained that a lot of residents from Vienna would travel to Bratislava for a dinner and show, then return home, saving quite a bit of money than if they had gone to a theatric show in Vienna.
Next stop was the hill-top fortress with its great views over the old city, Danube and the apartment blocks on the other side of the river.
After lunch we were taken to have coffee and cake at a local's village house in the foothills of Little Carpathians. The lady who owned the house took us through her garden of apple and pear trees, various grapes vines, vegetables and various strawberries and blackberries. There was not a weed to be seen, and the garden seemed to 'hum' with fresh vibrations.
After this lovely alternative style tour, we headed back up the Danube, past Vienna to rejoin our ship which had managed to navigate the low river levels between Deggendorf and Passau. What a welcome we were given when we reboarded the ship! And it was so lovely to get back into our cabins again. I spoke to one of the passengers who had stayed on board who described the sound of the ship's haul scrapping along a couple of sections of the river as it sailed through the shallow waters. He also informed me the swimming pool had been emptied to lighten the ship, and while we were away, the crew were scrubbing the ship from 'top to toe'. It is so nice to be back, However I would like to mention Markas our Cruise Director and head office for Emerald Cruises who did a great job organising a hotel for about 130 people to stay in, buses to pick us up and return us, booking restaurants for our lunches and tour guides for each bus. A five star effort. *****
I am actually writing this section whilst we are sailing down the Daube, the ship has sailed continuously since we reboarded, with the hope we will arrive in Budapest around 6-7pm. Our city tour this afternoon will not happen, and looking outside our cabin window, I am quite pleased to sit here watching the various changes in the river banks as the rain is pouring down. There have been people camping on the banks, fishing rods out and lines in the water, and their tents erected under a tree. One more sleep before we say goodbye to the many lovely friends we have made and disembark to travel to Prague for our next journey.
Next stop was the hill-top fortress with its great views over the old city, Danube and the apartment blocks on the other side of the river.
After lunch we were taken to have coffee and cake at a local's village house in the foothills of Little Carpathians. The lady who owned the house took us through her garden of apple and pear trees, various grapes vines, vegetables and various strawberries and blackberries. There was not a weed to be seen, and the garden seemed to 'hum' with fresh vibrations.
After this lovely alternative style tour, we headed back up the Danube, past Vienna to rejoin our ship which had managed to navigate the low river levels between Deggendorf and Passau. What a welcome we were given when we reboarded the ship! And it was so lovely to get back into our cabins again. I spoke to one of the passengers who had stayed on board who described the sound of the ship's haul scrapping along a couple of sections of the river as it sailed through the shallow waters. He also informed me the swimming pool had been emptied to lighten the ship, and while we were away, the crew were scrubbing the ship from 'top to toe'. It is so nice to be back, However I would like to mention Markas our Cruise Director and head office for Emerald Cruises who did a great job organising a hotel for about 130 people to stay in, buses to pick us up and return us, booking restaurants for our lunches and tour guides for each bus. A five star effort. *****
I am actually writing this section whilst we are sailing down the Daube, the ship has sailed continuously since we reboarded, with the hope we will arrive in Budapest around 6-7pm. Our city tour this afternoon will not happen, and looking outside our cabin window, I am quite pleased to sit here watching the various changes in the river banks as the rain is pouring down. There have been people camping on the banks, fishing rods out and lines in the water, and their tents erected under a tree. One more sleep before we say goodbye to the many lovely friends we have made and disembark to travel to Prague for our next journey.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Vienna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)