The Lobby At Gellert Baths (1)

The Lobby At The Gellert Baths (2)

The lobby At The Gellert Baths (3)

The reasons for my absence

I know I have not posted in about six weeks. The reasons for this is because, I'm currently travelling. I'm in Colombia, and  i will here for about another 5 weeks. I hope to start posting again soon, but  I don't when, because I'm to busy exploring Colombia. Also after I get back to the states I will make a roadtrip across a couple of states.

The Effervescent Pool At The Gellert Thermal Baths (1)

The Effervescent Pool At The Gellert Thermal Baths (2)

Keleti Station

Keleti Station was built in 1884 by Gyula Rochlitz And Janos Feketehazy. It is the only international train station in Budapest. It has being in the news lately due to all the Syrian Refugees using it to reach other European countries.  When I traveled through it felt a little disorganized,  I had no idea the where to go, the people that worked there where not helpful and I barely made  to my train. But that's all part of the adventure.   

St. Matthias Church

Built in 1015 in Romanesque style St. Matthias towers over Buda. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Budapest. Used for coronation and major events since it was built. 

Matthias Fountain

located on the western court of Buda castle. Matthias Fountain has to be one of the most impressive fountains I have ever seeing. Created by Alajos Strobl  in a Neo-Baroque style, this masterpiece  depicts King Matthias during a hunt.   

Sandor Palace

Sandor Palace is the presidential palace. The palace is used as the home and office for the Hungarian president  Janos Ader. Hungary has a parliamentarian form of government in which the president has no real power and functions as ceremonial head of state. In this system the power is in the hands of the Prime Minister. This is the southwest entrance of the palace.     

The Buda Castle Hill Funicular

 Built in 1870, the Funicular takes people up the short trip to Buda Castle from chain bridge.  

Me and Beth

A lot of people wondered and questioned, why I was travelling by myself. Most people believed I was just going to wander around by myself, like a weird loner. But that was not the case. My first time in Budapest, I met Three amazing people (from Left to Right Beth, Angus and Chelsea) I first met Beth,  literally seconds After I had checked in. She was also in the same room. A quick hello, how are you, where are you from, was a enough to build a friendship. For the rest of that day we wondered around Budapest, talking and getting to know each other. She was a seasoned traveler, who was willing to give me a lot tips. Two days later, I was siting in the lobby of the hostel and a saw a girl reading a brochure about a tour I had being on earlier in the day. I made a quick comment and we started a conversion. That's how a met Chelsea. A couple of minutes later I met  her boyfriend Angus, who joined  us, and we hit it off. The next day which was when the picture was taken. The four of us hung out for the whole day. I  got to learn a lot more about them. They are truly some of nicest  people I have ever met. They where willing to share about their lives and their interests  with me. Being able to walk around Budapest with such good company was one the highlights of my trip.  It was simple  interaction that led me to make friends half way across the world. Just by being open minded and willing to engage and interact with others. Meeting people is truly one of the best things about travelling.    

Selfie

City Park Lake

Vajdahunyad Castle Chapel

The Entrance To Vajdahunyad Castle

The Vajdajunyad Castle is located inside in City Park. Built  for the Millennial Exhibition of 1896.The castle was built only as a  temporary Exhibition. But it was so popular that is was kept as permanent. The castle complex has some very interesting things within its walls, A Chapel, as well as some very interesting statues. To me the castle was very impressive, it looked like a medieval castle out of a Disney fairy tail. But I have to be honest I was very disappointed when I found that the castle was not real. It took away my enthusiasm. But I will still recommend it if you are visiting Budapest.          

Hero Square

Hero Square is located at the entrance  of City Park. The pillar in the center, is the tomb of the unknown soldier, on the top of the pillar is a statue of Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel symbolizes heavenly protection over the  Hungarian people. The statues on the left are mostly Hungarian  kings who where significant in Hungarian history, as well as religious figures. The Statues on the right are a more unique group of historical figures, from soldiers, scholars, and Statesman. This open air Pantheon of Hungarian greats, build during the Astro-Hungarian Empire, Is very breath taking at first sight.          

Gellert Water Fall

I stumbled on this just by chance. I was walking around town and found this amazing water fall. It seems like a hidden gem because nobody was around. It is located  Above the bridge is a statue of St. Gerhard  an Italian Missionary who was thrown to his death for promoting Christianity to the pagans.     

Fisherman's Bastion (1)

Fisherman's Bastion is located on Buda side over looking the Danube and in front of Matthias Church. This neo-Gothic neo-Romanesque terrace was built in 1895. It looks older because it was inspired by a Medieval wall that stood in the same location. During Medieval times, this area of the city had wall that was maned by fisherman. They would guard  the wall and sale there catch.  That is where the name comes from. In my experience it is very crowded, but worth it. The view is amazing. You can see the Parliament building as well as Sziget Island. This is just a breath taking place 

Fisherman's Bastion (2)

This the Back side of Fisherman's Bastion. The Statue Is of Stephan I Of  Hungary. In earlier post I have talked about St  Stephan, so if you want more information on him, please refer to earlier post. The Statue was erected in 1906 as part of Matthias Church.  

Crow With A Golden Seed Statue

Thanks So Much For The Support You Have Given To My Blog. I Would Like to Ask You To Please Check/Click On Some Of The Adds On My Blog, It Would Really Help Me Out A lot. Thanks !!!

Some Treats At Buda Castle

I'm  not sure of what all those treats are, but most of them where chocolates. This was in front of  Buda Castle. The day that I was there, their  was a festival  going on. There was traditional  food and live music. I found it very interesting that instead of playing traditional Hungarian music, they where playing the Blues Brothers. I find it very interesting to see Americas influence throughout the world.  In general it was  great relaxed atmosphere. I guess I picked the a great day to visit.   

A Close Up Of Buda Castle

Me On Buda Hill Overlooking Chain Bridge

The View From the Pest Side Of The Danube

St. Stephen's Basilica

The Basilica was built from 975-1038 in honour of King Stephen 1 of Hungary, the first Hungarian king. Built By József Kauser  and later completed by  Miklós Ybl in a Neoclassical style. It is the most important church in all of the Hungary. The church has became a symbol of Hungarian pride, even housing the body of national  hero Ferenc Puskás. It also has come to symbolize the power of the church within the state. The height of the Basilica is the same as the height  as the Hungarian Parliament to show that both are equal and neither is above the other.  
The highlight of a visit to the church has to be the dome of Basilica with walkway that gives a 360 view of Budapest.  It is well worth the 250 Forint's that you have to pay.

Close Up Of St Stephen's Basilica

Me On The Roof Of St. Stephen's Basilica

The Spire Of St. Stephen's Basilica

The View From The Steeple Of St. Stephen's Basilica (2)

The Staircase Up To The Steeple Of St. Stephen's Basilica

The View From The Steeple Of St. Stephen's Basilica (1)

A Boat On The Danube

Akvárium klub

Akvárium Klub is a bar  located  under the reflection pool. It is used as meeting point for Budapest youth.  Due to the fact of its central location and near a skate park. During the weekends the the area around the reflection pool is full of young people just hanging out and drinking. During the week days, locals and tourists deep there feet in the reflection pool to cool down.

Sziget Eye Belvaros

Sziget Eye Belvaros, is a ferris wheel they is put up ever summer to promote the Sziget Festival.

The Hungarian Academy Of Sciences

The Hungarian Academy Of Science was found in 1825. 

Thumbs Up At St. Stephen's Basilica

The German Occupation Memorial

The Reichsadler (which is the Imperial Eagle) was one of the symbols of the Nazi regime. As you can see in the picture the Reichsadler representing  the Nazis, is standing over Angel Gabriel which in this scene represents the Hungarian people. This monument tries to depict the Hungarian as victims, being attack by a ruthless animal. But this was not the case. I give deeper insight in earlier post.

Protest

In front of the German occupation memorial is this protest piece done by the Jewish community of Budapest. It is items from Holocaust victims. The items are random everyday items, things like shoes or hair brushes, there is also pictures and poems of the victims. This is a direct protest to the memorial. Some believe that the memorial is trying to whitewash the things that Hungery did during the war. During WW2 Hungery fought on the side of the Nazis,  but the memorial depicts the Hungarians as victims.  Not as allies of the Nazis. This angers the Jewish community because the they feel like the Hungarian state had as much to do with the deaths of Hungarian Jews as the Nazis. When I was there, their was also some speakers and a small rally in support of the Jewish community.

Shoes From A Jewish Victim Of The Nazis

The German Occupation Memorial

The memorial  is dedicated to the Hungarian victims of the Nazis during ww2,  it is located in  Szabadság Ter. 

Panoramic of Szabadsag Ter (Liberty Square) 6

Panoramic Of Szabadsag Ter (Liberty Square) 5

Panoramic of Szabadsag Ter (Liberty Square) 4

A Couple Enjoy The After Noon In Szabadság Ter (liberty Square) 3

Szabadság Ter (Liberty Square) 2

Szabadság Ter (Liberty Square)

Unfortunately in this picture,   the  monument dedicated to the Soviet Union liberation of Hungary during WW2 is blocked.

A Road Leading To The Hungarian Parliament

Gresham Palace

The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace as it is currently named. Is an Art Nouveau building that was built to house  offices and  apartments in 1906. It is currently a luxury hotel, according to some its the most expensive hotel in Budapest.

Chain Bridge (2)