Friday, July 22, 2011

Budapest, Zamalin and Bikinis

After an extremely long journey we safely arrived in Budapest. Thanks to QANTAS and Malev we managed our jet lag quite well although the effects were quite present towards the end of our day trip in Budapest.

The flight from Singapore to Frankfurt was as expected, long and tiring but not as bad as expected. I was pleased to leave Singapore after Caleb decided to run after Mum in the QANTAS lounge and i was left with Kayla and the hand luggage unable to do anything. We then came up with the code word, glue, which means, not to leave Dad or Mum at any time. We had a few hours in Frankfurt and were very confused about "Shengan" and "Non-shengan" but the customs officer left their booth to show us the way and we ended up going from international to domestic. The kids had a great time running around at the play equipment in Frankfurt Airport.

Kayla and Caleb at Frankfurt Airport

After an hour delay with Malev Airlines it was a very brief fllight to Budapest. We all agreed that one day was not enough but did what we wanted, we stopped and rested before heading to Croatia. Our hotel was brilliant (Adina Apartments) and we were able to do some walking along the Danube, around the Parliment House, across the Schains Bridge (spell check) and up the Funicular to the Royal Palace and Buda (old part of Budapest). Caleb successfully developed large blisters on his ankles and Kayla perfected the art of being difficult....understandable as we were all very jet lagged and in need of a good sleep. We had dinner in Buda and managed to negotiate our way back to the Hotel dodging gypsies and homeless people which Kayla also had an art of spotting. We caught the tram to reduce the walking but we didn't know where to buy tickets. Another tourist said that the inspectors will fine us if we are caught which thankfully we weren't. We had the money for the fare in our hands but apparently that won't wash. We wandered back and the kids had a swim at the hotel before retiring for the evening in our spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, kitchen and louge apartment, all of sleeping well ready for day 3.


View of Parliment from Funicular


Our flight from Budapest to Split was delayed yet again with Malev (Something we will need to allow for before going to London) but we had a smooth flight to Croatia and to the very happy Buba abd Didi. There were tears of joy as to be expected but of course we couldn't see them straight away as one of our bags was the last to come off the plane!

We have been here 5 days now and we are starting to settle into the late nights and lazy days. The children are having fun playing with the children next door and managing to communicate when not being able to speak the same language. We have eaten so much food. The tomatoes here taste great! The Zamalin is an easy stroll from the house with all of us enjoying an icecream or two or three. The Zamalin is a boardwalk area made of concrete and rock where the locals and tourists gather to swim and eat and talk. There have been a few sights and I said to Fran one day "If I could update my status right now it would be ten words - Large balkin Women in Bikinis, Large Balkin Men in Speedos"....need I say more.


We have been to Vodice by bus and had the opportunity for Fran to reunite with family that she hasn't seen in 24 years. We have 7 more weeks here and a lot more to see, do and share...stay posted and we will stay posted unless the internet goes kerplunk!

1 comment:

Cwm Goch Chronicles said...

Love that you're blogging this. What a great momento you'll have when you return.
By the way we have your plate!!! Remind me when you miss it down the track, as I have put it away in a safe place and will forget!

Love to all of you. Hope Caleb's blisters are healing and Kayla is a having a wonderful time after her anxiousness. Nat XXXX