The blog went on the back burner due to health issues. Eight days on a fully booked cruise with crowded dining and tour buses, I guess it was inevitable that Mr virus would take up residence in the patrons. Frank got to spend a few days in bed with a sore throat, headache and fatigue. By the end of day 8 of the cruise, it was apparent infection was widespread on the boat with one poor soul taken off on a stretcher. Too many people in a confined space with a very capable virus. Fortunately, nurse Leona was able to fend off the virus by being very conscientious.
In general, we found the cruise to be a between being catered on a riverboat and experiencing foreign culture. Being on a small ship with almost 200 people which sailed every night with only a day at each port is less than satisfactory. Following a pied piper guide with 30 other people also does not provide the flavor of that city. One day in Vienna is a travesty!
We did get a small taste of Vienna, Krems and the Wachau Valley even though the optional wine tour was a
poor excuse of a winery. Although Frank was unable to attend the included tour of Budapest, Leona found it to be a two hour drive by of Budapest in a big bus. This was our first and last river cruise. Fortunately, we booked four independent days after the cruise on our own in Budapest. That allowed us time to actually see some of the main sights of Budapest. Another interesting evening was dinner on our last nght in Budapest. Our hotels restaurant, Caviar and Bull, provides dishes utilizing molecular gastronomy. It creates very intense taste sensations.
The Parliament Building of Hungary was really impressive. 40 kg of gold leaf decorates the inside which leaves you open mouthed. Schoenbrunn, Hapsburgs summer palace, was also great to see. It seemed everything in Budapest was big, bold and grand!
Highlights of the trip included our 9 days in Prague and 4 days in Budapest. The history of this region is very interesting. Holding back the Ottaman empire, the rule by Hapsburgs for over 600 years, the starting point for WW1, Sudentland or the appeasment of Hitler for land in the Czech Republic, the murder of thousands of Jews, the Soviet occupation
