Day 2 Budapest: Strolling around "Pest"

Strolled into the Post Office Museum located at the start of Andrassy Ut. It was like a building like a house, similar to how the rich people use to live it. Its a rectangle building with a courtyard right in the middle size of a basketball court where everyunit on each level can look down from their door. Each stairway has painted ceiling and this one has a pretty nice stainglass at the end.

As the random walk continues, I chanced upon this whole street related to Opera (its a side road off andrassy that leads to the formal Opera House) . I couldnt resist doing a little happy skip infront of the Moulin rouge (a dance house).

This picture below doesnt do the building justice but it has the best beautiful exterior facade. The design was intricate and amazingly elegant. U should see it yourself.

I decide to venture off to one of the local markets where the locals do their daily grocery shopping.

Parliment house up close

Anna Cafe is just a few steps away from the last station of the yellow metro. Took a rest here because it has so many varieties of cakes and desserts and shakes. I couldnt resist and so I plonk my butt down the seats and people watch. Only thing that bug me was the consistent cig smoke from all the people ard me.

Still, the choc shake was fabulous and so was the hazelnut slice!
My very nice and friendly Hungarian waiter at "Anna Cafe"

Day 1 + 2 Budapest: St Pete Basilica

As I was coming back from Buda castle and walking on the chain bridge, I caught a glimpse of the Budapest Parliment House and it certainly looked majestic and imposing like a basilica!

While looking for dinner, Stumble to St Peter Basilica (catholic church)..

Day view of the dome

Nite view of the dome

Just the lane in front of St Pete, passed by this restaurant named TG. Had to laugh aloud because the person who agree to this slogan advert of Johnie walker obviously wasnt thinking clearly. Just Right under the TG restuarant logo, the other liquor advert says "Keep Walking"

It definitely is NOT a way to win patronage if u ask me! (Incidentally I did try the food there and it was not nice. So trust their signage - KEEP WALKING away!) ha!

DAY 2: Exploring St Pete Basilica:

Reached the church about 10am and to my amazement, there wasnt a crowd. No tour bus, no tourist. Just the ususal day to day passing pedestrian and church goers. Only a group of Japnese tourists arrived about 10.30am. This is truly paradise and I am still rubbing my hands in glee at mu unexpected good fortune:)

Main Doorway to enter the holy premise

The "Holy Right Hand of King Henry" enshrined...

The other side of St Pete at the back, facing Andrassy Ut Road

(The road is now one of UNESCO World Heritage.

This street was constructed as part of the nation's millennium celebrations in 1896, along with the M1 metro, which runs beneath it. It was started in 1872 and took twelve years to complete. Since then, it has been renamed several times: first after Prime Minister Andrassy, then it changed to Sztalin (i.e. Stalin) ut and after Stalin was denounced it was changed again to 'Avenue of the People's Republic'. Finally, in 1990 it changed back to Andrassy ut.)

A glimpse of St Pete Interior

Budapest Day 1: Noon

Walking around Buda Hills was like walking my my own castleyard at one point. I didnt have anyone around me as i stroll thru. Near museum areas, there were hardly any tourists, least of all elbowing me in my face! I couldnt believe my luck! It got slightly more crowded by 5pm but still, its not the sort of crazy maddening crowd in every inch I had experience in rome. This is good. This is peace. This is why I leave my comfort home, for beauty and sights.

A funny stretch of houses that looks like they hve eyes on top staring down at u (roof opening)
Mattahias church in repair
Along fishermen Bastion
"Hawkers"

Of course there is no trip complete, without a tasting of local food and sweets. So I had the local;s best "cream pastry with light biscuit sandwich", stopping at the frommer's recommended pit stop of Ruszwarm. The place did not disappoint. The cream was light and sweetness to the right amount. This was my first "invitation" to more good pastries to come in Budapest!

Interestingly, this costume set was hanging on the store next door to the cafe. I laughed and had to take a shot because it reminded me of "Naruto Manga Character - Jiraya Erosenin!"

Cafe Miro is another recommended resting place for cafe snacks. I love Miro as he was my favourite artist of pop art, so i couldnt resist just taking a shot with some of his well known "iconic arty style". Cheap thrill!

Budapest Trip: Day 1, To Buda Castle Hill

After checking into the wonderful hotel, I snooze for the next few hours. Awaking at 1pm, refresh for the start of the trip.

I looked through Lonely planet, and honestly the book sucks BIG time. It was so factual and boring that it actually manage to make the place sound depressing. It comes with unnecessary ( to me) facts that sucide rates here are the highest among the whole European nations. Now, tell me why would I want to know that when I am suppose to be looking forward to my trip. Should I be expecting someone to fall flat on me, dropping from the sky while I walk along the buildings?

So I dump the book and headed towards Buda Hills, walking across the infamouse Chain Bridge, connecting Pest where my hotel is and to the other side Buda, where Buda Castle Hill was my intended first stop. (Picture of chain bridge from room)

As I walk along Chain Bridge (Side note: In 1989 people demonstrated on the chain bridge for freedom and independence. Since then, the bridge has become a symbol of Hungarian liberty), I cannot help but stop to admire the scenery before me. The only thing that slightly spoils the moment was the long and endless stream of cars travelling along side with me on the walkway. The exhaust fumes were pretty unbearable and so I sped thru the stretch while holding my breathe as long as possible.

At the end of the bridge, I was confronted with a roundabout. Cars apparently have pretty huge say on the roads here. I mean, they just keep moving regardless of the traffic lights. It was like a european version of Vietnam HCM (u know what I mean if u have been there). I couldnt half tell if the car was going to stop and let me thru the zebra crossing or zoom past me. I had to wait for some kind driver to stop which fortunately, relatively many budapest drivers still do have affections for pesdestrians.

The Castle Hill rise 48 meters above the Danube, dominates the city. This hill is the place where Budapest was founded. It is a small, densely built rock, with the Buda Castle as the most prominent building.

Not having read a thing on budapest and without a map, I gamely took Funicular, a little cable car like transport up the Castle Hill. From there, I started my self dictated tour.