Limewood In Europe

[Limewood]

On our journey in J to Europe had a stopover in Singapore for two hours called in to see the new BA J/F lounge, was sensational and empty, had a huge range of drinks and food.

Next stop was HKG, met up with an old Aussie mate who was shift manger in flight control there for two decades - now retired (yes we’ve been in there too), was a clear day so we went with him to the the exclusive Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club for an excellent long lunch.

Had 2 days in Paris and boy oh boy dinning it expensive these days, like main dishes AUD$60/80, a simple hamburger is $30+ and wine twice our price. A very basic hotel $300 night.

Travelled 2hrs on EASYJET to Budapest, collected by a driver on arrival and taken to our fantastic modernised apartment right in centre of city ($300 for 4 nights), owner was waiting and provided us with a wealth of local info.

Outside our front door

more to come.

 

[robd]

Subscribing.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hey! Not so fast skimming over the long lunch at the RHKYC ! Or is the case of 'discretion is the better part of being asked to leave' ?

Loved Budapest. Hope you found Klassz, on the main drag near the Opera House. One of the best 'wine focussed restaurants' I've been in, anywhere.

 

[Limewood]

Go looking today RooFlyer1

update:

Currently in Budapest a fantastic city, so many museums, places of interest, massive ornate buildings that one can see and of course from the mighty Danube lunch cruise one can view it all.

The locals are just so nice, ask directions or a question and they are only too pleased to help. One thing though really stands out, the dress standards, while the men look good the ladies dress just so smart, and its hard to find a bogan!

Another of its excellent facilities is the transport system, the busses and trams can get you anywhere and the maps provided are very helpful.

One odd thing is the currency, while in the Euro system they still use the local currency not Euro’s, so its easy to be a millionaire at approx. AUD$1 to 200 Forint’s. A substantial main meal with a beer and bottle of excellent local wine is a mere AUD$35, so really good value.

Our accommodation is fantastic My First Apartment, in an old building and transport at our door and yes its the same as pictures shown.

We sadly leave beautiful Budapest tomorrow for Zagreb.

 

[Paddy55]

Go looking today RooFlyer1

update:

Currently in Budapest a fantastic city, so many museums, places of interest, massive ornate buildings that one can see and of course from the mighty Danube lunch cruise one can view it all.

The locals are just so nice, ask directions or a question and they are only too pleased to help. One thing though really stands out, the dress standards, while the men look good the ladies dress just so smart, and its hard to find a bogan!

Another of its excellent facilities is the transport system, the busses and trams can get you anywhere and the maps provided are very helpful.

One odd thing is the currency, while in the Euro system they still use the local currency not Euro’s, so its easy to be a millionaire at approx. AUD$1 to 200 Forint’s. A substantial main meal with a beer and bottle of excellent local wine is a mere AUD$35, so really good value.

Our accommodation is fantastic My First Apartment, in an old building and transport at our door and yes its the same as pictures shown.

We sadly leave beautiful Budapest tomorrow for Zagreb.

Agree re Budapest 100%. Just back from Europe and in Budapest 3 weeks ago. Stayed at Intercontinental with fantastic view of Danube.
Happened to be there on Hungary's National Day so perfect view of fireworks.

 

[Limewood]

Yesterday (Thurs.) we departed Budapest for Zagreb by train at 2.30pm as busses were sold out, purchased 1st class tickets at rail station and glad we did, funny thing was the return ticket we took was cheaper that going one way!, virtually no english and no directions but made it in time.

We hopped onto the train lugging our luggage up steep steps, arrived at our 6 seater cabin to join 4 other pax in nice big comfy seats, joined one Aussie & his Canadian girlfriend and two yanks, within 5 minutes we are laughing our heads off and during the trip we discussed a wide range subjects in between the funnies, time flew. Later had a gander at 2nd class and they were packed in like sardines and it smelt funny

Just 15 minutes into the 6 hour trip our American friend Dustin provided us with a very large expensive bottle of Jamaican Bear Hug Mango Rum that he could not take back to USA as the top was damaged, so we 6 decided to drink this “21" proof liquid, any glasses we wondered... yep the Aussie backpacker produces 25 plastic cups and 2 packets of chips out of his rucksack, we drank the bottle dry, from then on we bought just about all the booze left onboard from this old trains dinning car, we finally rolled into Zagreb at 8.30pm, our driver was waiting.

On arrival at our new digs we were welcomed by the owners son, given some direction and the keys, we are gobsmacked at how fantastic this apartment is, at just AUD$125 a night we thought we were in heaven, possibly the most luxurious modern apartment we’ve ever been in and its smack bang right in the middle of Zagreb - check it out here, has every facility, plus coffee shops and bars aplenty, the massive markets just 50m, banks etc. etc. and huge public musical parades are on with many dressed in national costume.

and… a 15 min cab ride in Zagreb is AUD$5, glass of wine and a large beer AUD$4.50, food about 1/3 price of OZ.

We are in Zagreb for 4 nights then off to Split by bus.

 

[Limewood]

Our time in Budapest and Zagreb was really fantastic, cities that should be on all travel lists, the brilliant architecture and history going back centuries is a sight to see.

We departed Zagreb by bus to Split last Tues. it was a 5 hour journey on an excellent 4 lane freeway at 130kph. Split is a place that drew us back after our last visit in May 2014, its a hive of activity as boats come and go constantly and the rich history it has.

After our arrival in Split we caught a taxi to our Split digs, the owner arrived a few mins later, it was then we found out the apartment is on the 5th floor and no lift), he carried both bags up the stairs!, its large, modern and has a water view, close to every amenity, even has a big super modern supermarket on ground floor - it sells booze too!) handy uh’.

Had long strolls along the waterfront, thousands of boats everywhere from dingy’s to ships, hundreds of restaurants and narrow laneway shops, weather is about 35C+! & humid, it’s fine and sunny with light winds, had a few drinks later and lunches overlooking the beautiful harbour.

Past few days we have been out to the islands on a fast cat ferry and Hvar was fantastic, also went on public bus to Trogir It's said more tourists here in Croatia than normal due to the very hot out of season weather. We have met so many people from all over the world, last night had long one with a coupe from Holland, was a mere AUD$80 for the whole night.

Tomorrow Sunday we depart for Vienna.

 

[Limewood]

Now on the French Riviera in Nice having flown with Air Berlin (Niki Airlnes) from Vienna, the latter very nice airport fast check in and (basic) lounge access as SG, flying in was fantastic, the aqua blue water below and beaches were a joy to see on a very bright sunny day.

Once again Nice is a beautiful old medieval city, built centuries ago, invaded by so many yet today its a haven for the tourists and the rich and famous. Like most of these old places they rarely fix anything, many of these beautiful ornate buildings are in such disrepair yet others the opposite.

Yesterday we took a small group (8) english speaking day tour to Antibes and Cannes, all on a fine warm sunny day, driver/guide was excellent, the ride was along the waterfront, we also ha stops of 45 minutes to walk around. Thousands of people on the beaches and sidewalks, more bars, restaurants and hotels one could count. In world travels never seen so many boats must be 50,000 on the hundreds of marinas, some 100m long, simply amazing.

Both places had many expensive brand shops, but the narrow streets provided the best shopping, boutiques abound and bargains found. Yes we did stand on those very steps the film stars do each May during the annual movie festival, and yes we walk along the handprints the stars have left over the years in the pavement. Not seen so many flash cars from Rollers to Porsches etc. you name it, convertibles also very popular.

Today we did some city rides on busses and trams, shopped, then had a long lunch and met few others on vacation plus one from OZ a Barrister from Melbourne dressed a 60 year old bogan!. Sitting outside the Nice town hall in a restaurant we saw 7 weddings in under 3 hours, one a public office official marriage, complete with 50 cops carrying arms, stun guns and rocket launchers! plus a motorcade of about 10 cars and motorbikes, and TV cameras of course.

So tomorrow we return home to OZ with 24 hour stops in Doha & Perth.