Budapest

Well, expectations of a magestic city were soon forgotten as we arrived in a run-down , smelly city where poverty and boose are rife. We found our hostel after an hour queue for the Split train ticket, and then a 6 km walk past alternative kebab and sex shops... then over a bridge. It was nice enough, but encouraged time spent exploring the city rather than staying in the room. With only a day and a half to spare, we headed to the palace and fishermanàs bastion along the river. Views from both spots were prime and made the climb worth it. Dinner was a delicious pizza with the base as thick as a 2" nail and a chicken salad with more chicken than the green stuff - what a find! After a good nights rest, we awoke with the sun to start our day before the heat prevented us. Nothing runs on time in Hungary, so we treated ourselves to a cup of joe before hiring our 2 yellow zebra bikes for the day. That was probably the best €6 we've spent this trip. We headed up the tree lined avenues, dodging pedestrians and cars driving on the wrong (right) side of the road, into parks and onto the island. We sped past the Turkish baths and around the spectacular houses of parliament, before posing for a photo at St. Stephens. We were spent, but headed out for an early dinner with the promise of an early night. Bags were packed, bills were settled, and the free internet was exploited until it was time to catch the overnight train to Split.