Depart US to Budapest
· We drove to Seattle yesterday, and it was a beautiful fall drive over Snoqualmi pass. The leaves were spectacular. Michelle and family fixed us wonderful meal and we retired early.
· This morning after walking Jackson and Taylor to school, Michelle drove us to SeaTac for an afternoon flight. We were reminded just how fast things can change, when on one of the curves before the airport, her Lexus SUV took a mind of its own when her posi-traction decided to take over her driving and the steering wheel was going all over the place. She managed to hang on and bring the car under control. She left us at the curb of the airport with her knees shaking and heart pounding, as we were grateful that she had expertly avoided an accident.
· The fun thing about traveling is meeting your friends and reuniting (we joined Nancy and Jim Montano in the airport). The not so fun thing is all the lines, security, airport hassle, etc. After a 9-1/2 hour flight to Amsterdam, we disembarked (having had three meals, watched 2 movies, slept only a few minutes), and went through more long lines and customs, another security check, and finally arrived at our gate to Budapest. We flew Delta/KLM, and it is a nice airline.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Budapest, Hungary
· We arrived in Budapest around 1:30 in the afternoon and were met by Grand Circle Travel (GCT) representatives who put us on a bus that took us to the riverboat M/S Adagio. It is a beautiful ship, and as we walked down the gang plank we were met by Charlie and Mary Brown (they had come early from California). It was so good to see them. Thank God that we all arrived safely and the fun can begin.
· We were escorted to our beautiful rooms and before unpacking, met the Browns and Montanos in the lounge to catch up on the past year. We know we will spend the next few days laughing until our belly’s ache. Our ship was parked facing the parliament building on the other side of the Danube River. We are on the Buda side of the river, looking at Pest.
· Bob slept a couple of hours and then we met in the lounge again to get our instructions for the next day. At 7:30 we went to the main dining room and had a Hungarian appetizer, spinach soup, and choice of chicken and fish, fixed Hungarian style. The desert was either a fondue or a pancake crape filled with nut sauce with chocolate and whipped cream on the side. Yum!!
· Our view of the River changed as dusk and night fell, and at the end of dessert, the shipped moved to the other side of the Danube, where we will park for a couple of days. We are in the heart of Budapest, and we can go on and off the ship any time to shop, etc. We went up on the top deck and took pictures. It was a clear and beautiful night, and the temperate is expected to reach high 50s tomorrow.
· We are all tired, and finally got to retire to our rooms, having eaten too much, and having been up over 24 hours. There is an 8 hour time difference. Good night.
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