Dalmatian Coast cruising without a dog in sight

[Pushka]

Photos of breakfast. We slept through it yesterday. A nice spread but we ate outside. Big mistake. We got our orange juice and tea and coffeee then went inside to get some eggs and pancakes. Can’t leave anything personal on the table in the street for obvious reasons. Came back and they’d cleared the table? WT? Didn’t full glasses of OJ and hot tea/coffee suggest something? So we started all over again. By now the eggs were cold so got a new batch. We suggested they implement some kind of tag so waiters know when people are just getting the food. There is no food service just buffet so must happen all the time.

It was busy. There is some kind of mini conference so people kept jamming the narrow spaces to have a chat. Not helpful.

Nice spread.







Tomorrow we’ll eat inside.

 

[Pushka]

We decided to go over to Buda side and see the Palace. We needed to catch the yellow ho ho and then a smaller shuttle as the larger buses are not allowed up top. For some reason today they put on the small single buses. But it was busy. Wouldn’t let us board one time.

The smaller green shuttle is extra. People don’t seem to be told that although we were. Paid extra. One large family group got off the bus only to be refused the green shuttle. It’s confusing. There are tears.

Our green shuttle driver provided no info. Dropped us off at one point. Didn’t give any explanation or directions. There are supposed to be 3 stops. He refused to do them. Not good. As it turned out we didn’t get to see the Palace as by the time we worked how to get there we needed to get the next shuttle.

It’s pretty hot. 89 in fact. We decided to take the included boat tour so lined up for the bus to get us there after the shuttle. Too full. We knew we couldn’t wait for the next one or we’d miss the boat so we walked there in plenty of time.

We grabbed an ice cream then it was time to line up which the adults were doing. Then along came a large group of school kids, I’d say 8 years old. Well b*gger me if they let the school kids on first who quickly grabbed all the seats in the shade. Leaving most adults without a seat. We grabbed a couple in full sun. Older ladies were roaming trying to find a seat. Many complaints. But the crew couldn’t give a toss. Several walked straight back off the boat. We stayed in the sun - no where else to go but we both got rather super heated. I hate the sun. To top it all off, a female crew member lit up her fa_ and started smoking right by my seat. MrP took a photo to pop onto TA.

Took a few photos but was wilting badly so not much to show except for a few this morning which are a bit repetitive.

I did enjoy one of these last night:


Our last full day tomorrow then flight home with Qatar from Budapest.

The Red Bull flights are on here in a couple of weeks and the Socceroos are in Budapest for a friendly tomorrow night.

 

[RooFlyer]

City is about 30 minutes out. Crickeys they drive fast here..

Ha! That's one of my overriding memories of the place too!

That and the bullet holes in the Parliament building from the 1956 revolution. If it's not too late see if the restaurant ' Klasses' is still in existence. In a main Street near the Opera Hotel. Best wine themed dinner I've ever had.

 

[Pushka]

Some photos of last night. We are staying near the Basilica which is just stunning. The difference of an hour is shown here. At 8pm the Bells peal for 5 minutes although we reckon it’s a case of milli vanillli as we can’t see the bells





We took another walk across the bridge. Again a wonderful night after a rainy start.

Viking River cruises “own” Budapest. There were five here this morning and all berthed in prime locations. We are doing their Ocean ship to Alaska next May. A Scenic rover boat was berthed across the river and in a remote location.

 

[Pushka]

Last couple from last night (Thursday night). Tonight (Friday night) we were both a bit jaded from the boat trip so we returned to the restaurants near the church. A pleasant evening and very warm still. No walks tonight but tomorrow we will eat by the river as a last night of the trip meal. But early. We depart at 9am on Sunday.

 

[Pushka]

Ha! That's one of my overriding memories of the place too!

That and the bullet holes in the Parliament building from the 1956 revolution. If it's not too late see if the restaurant ' Klasses' is still in existence. In a main Street near the Opera Hotel. Best wine themed dinner I've ever had.

The speed at which all transport travels is insane. Even the buses. Then they slam on the brakes. Yet they have these pedestrian crossings where pedestrians have full right of way. We kind of hang back until we have a local wanting to cross the road. Even though there might be a bus bearing down on them, across they stride in their direct path and the bus has to stop.

We’ve also seen the locals purchase bottles of wine from the supermarkets and then go to the plazas and drink merrily. There are buckets of champagne here.

 

[kookaburra75]

Then off to a Moët et Chandon pop up bar. Where else but in Paris.

Correct pronounciation is to say the T but it sounds so much better with the ‘et Chandon’ as well.

Tomorrow an earliest start as we head off on a trip to Giverny and Versailles. Yeah.

Good result that ...... the full bottle of champers !!

You need one of these at work then, to remind you of the trip. Moet Vending Machine

My wife has a photo up on a blank wall at work, claiming the space is reserved for a Moet Vending Machine. There's a lot of people hoping it's true

 

[Pushka]

You need one of these at work then, to remind you of the trip. Moet Vending Machine

My wife has a photo up on a blank wall at work, claiming the space is reserved for a Moet Vending Machine. There's a lot of people hoping it's true

We would get on well. I’ve pronounced Moët as Mowet which is correct but doesn’t sound right. I checked again and they used the full term pronounced ‘mowet et Chandon’ with less emphasis on mowet and running straight into the et and it sounds very right.

 

[Pushka]

Some photos of our last day. Yesterday. Flying out in a couple of hours to Doha then Adelaide.

It was rather wet yesterday morning for our stroll along Adrassy Ave. But hot again by 2pm





Another Hoho took us past the famous tea rooms.





This guy last night playing Czardas on bottles. Quite good.



Did I mention I got the biggest frisk pat down ever in Milan. Almost embarrassing it was and done in public.

 

[Pushka]

Sunset.

Last views.

 

[Pushka]

Have just completed the first 5 hour leg. If this was the first J experience with Qatar it might be the last. Old configuration and it was literally falling apart.

Both these seats had missing parts and people were relocated.



Didn’t get my nice Brics kit either. The crew were lovely and went up to each passenger and told them their next flight would be on A380, Dreamliner etc etc. Very free with alocohol despite Ramadan. Seats just hard.

Nice lunch.

My tray table was so slanted and it wasn’t the drink. I wondered how the soup might go.



Yup. Almost over the edge.




Chicken rice was tasty.



Ice cream was nice.

 

[Pushka]

Scanning into Doha was deserted so off the plane and into the lounge quickly. Nice views along the way.

 

[Pushka]

Went to purchase some proper cold medication and picked up some real melatonin as well. Couldn’t find DF alcohol at all and then saw a large black screen hiding it all. Purchased Glenfiddic for the son but have to collect it at the gate.

In Al Mourjan now. No alcohol which is fine. 4 hours until the flight. We will have a meal before we board around 6pm as we plan to sleep.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Then it was champagne o’clock.
We opted for the champagne as the drink. It was supposed to be a half bottle but it was actually a full one. Yumm.

The deal here (and at the Moulin Rouge, etc) is a half bottle per ticket/person; so when there are two of you it is a full bottle.

If you go as a single, then it's a half bottle.

 

[Jacques Vert]

We would get on well. I’ve pronounced Moët as Mowet which is correct but doesn’t sound right. I checked again and they used the full term pronounced ‘mowet et Chandon’ with less emphasis on mowet and running straight into the et and it sounds very right.

Remember that when the next word starts with a vowel, you carry the last consonant across. So maybe it was more like 'Moe tet Chandon'?

 

[Lynda2475]

Yesterday a few of us hived off the tour to go to the Blue Cave. Always touch and go as it’s extremely dependent on tides if we get in. This is why. We have to get under this gap.

I arrive In Split on a Saturday arvo and my Cruise doesn't start until 5pm on the Monday, so I've booked a day trip to the Blue Cave (and monk seal caves and green cave and blue lagoon) from Split, it includes Wine Tasting too. It means I will will visit Hvar before my cruise does, but I liked this option more than heading in land to the lakes.

 

[Pushka]

I arrive In Split on a Saturday arvo and my Cruise doesn't start until 5pm on the Monday, so I've booked a day trip to the Blue Cave (and monk seal caves and green cave and blue lagoon) from Split, it includes Wine Tasting too. It means I will will visit Hvar before my cruise does, but I liked this option more than heading in land to the lakes.

Thats quite a long trip on the boat. It was 35 minutes for us but I think something like 3 hours from Split?

Split airport is hands down the worst airport for departures. And we realised last night it was Split where I got the most intimate pat down I've ever had and it should have been done screened from other people. I think we were both in a bit of shock to say anything at the time and you dont want to make a fuss with security but it was quite offensive. Its not just men who are capable of assault.

 

[henleybeach]

Thats quite a long trip on the boat. It was 35 minutes for us but I think something like 3 hours from Split?

Split airport is hands down the worst airport for departures. And we realised last night it was Split where I got the most intimate pat down I've ever had and it should have been done screened from other people. I think we were both in a bit of shock to say anything at the time and you dont want to make a fuss with security but it was quite offensive. Its not just men who are capable of assault.

Agree we departed from split after our cruise a couple years ago, I remember going upstairs to departures and it was so overcrowded and nothing there. Terrible it was

 

[Lynda2475]

hats quite a long trip on the boat. It was 35 minutes for us but I think something like 3 hours from Split?

Yes I know, its all 11 hour round-trip stopping at quite a few islands, good thing I like being out on the water. From what I could see on cruise itinerary, there wasn't an option to do this without skipping something else.

plit airport is hands down the worst airport for departures

I arrive into Split, but my departure will be from Dubrovnik (as my cruise is Split to Dubrovnik), so hopefully arrivals is a simpler process.

FYI - Worst pat down and interrogation I ever had was in La Paz Bolivia - crazy lady totally groped me and was fascinated that my bras (in bag not just the one I was wearing) had underwires! She insisted on checking everything in my pack, and delighted in pushing her fingers into the centres of the chocolates I was bringing from Peru, meaning they had to be binned and could no longer be given as a gift. It was an omen that i wasnt going to enjoy that trip as much as I did the rest of Latin America.

 

[Pushka]

Agree we departed from split after our cruise a couple years ago, I remember going upstairs to departures and it was so overcrowded and nothing there. Terrible it was

Ah. So not just a fluke thing then.

Yes I know, its all 11 hour round-trip stopping at quite a few islands, good thing I like being out on the water. From what I could see on cruise itinerary, there wasn't an option to do this without skipping something else.

I arrive into Split, but my departure will be from Dubrovnik (as my cruise is Split to Dubrovnik), so hopefully arrivals is a simpler process.

FYI - Worst pat down and interrogation I ever had was in La Paz Bolivia - crazy lady totally groped me and was fascinated that my bras (in bag not just the one I was wearing) had underwires! She insisted on checking everything in my pack, and delighted in pushing her fingers into the centres of the chocolates I was bringing from Peru, meaning they had to be binned and could no longer be given as a gift. It was an omen that i wasnt going to enjoy that trip as much as I did the rest of Latin America.

Yuck to those chocolates. Think I would have just shoved the box in her hands. Well, not really because it’s security but that’s gross. Maybe that’s what she was feeling me up for too - the underwire. But also around my groin?