Monday, June 24, 2013

Budapest: Our Hotel and Transportation


So, after walking around the Chain Bridge and Parliament that morning, and then saying good-bye to everyone at Viking Idun (last post), it was time to take a taxi ride some 30 minutes away to our Tulip Inn hotel, far to the east of city center on the Pest side of the Danube.

Too bad we didn't take more pictures but, the thing is, we knew they had a great breakfast and a fast internet!  We've used them before here in the Netherlands and were not disappointed.
You can see what was important to us.  HA!

Over the next days, we collected images on the Tulip Inn street.
The church next door, the lovely steepled building across from the metro, the street signs...
The church, btw, is the Oradea Square Presbyterian Church, from 1935.

 In fact, that very first day, Saturday afternoon, after settling in, we took a walk through the neighborhood.

Magnificent architecture, some with decay, having its own beauty.

Our walk was in the direction of what appeared to be a water tower, seen from afar.
But later we discovered it's the Bible Speaks Church, found via Google Maps.
Don't you wonder!

A couple days later, when the sun was shining, we went back to the domed church nearby.
It's Our Lady of Hungary Church, from 1931, not to be confused with the Matthias Church in city center,
which is the Church of Our Lady (visited the previous Friday here).
The service inside (middle pics) was on the Monday after Easter, with travelers from a bus standing inside.
How we wanted to know more, especially seeing their luggage!

But we did get to enjoy g'ma and g'son playing nearby!
No translation or explanation needed.

Since our hotel was so far out from city center, we relied on the metro and tram lines each day.
Just a couple of blocks from our hotel was our metro station, flanked by the eagle landmark.
It always felt like she was welcoming us, coming and going.

Metro stations are the same everywhere, aren't they!
Get a good map and memorize which ends are which to decide your direction.
Easy peasy.

They really are the same...cultural experiences!

Even down to the buskers inside.

Once closer to city center, we took the trams from here to there.
Totally reliable and...necessary.

And just like what you'd expect anywhere!

So, now you know how we got from one place to another for the posts ahead
...coming up, as we speak....

10 comments:

  1. Public transportation is so important. When I booked the hotel, I made sure the metro was in walking distance.
    The basic tram, metro are all the same except for the language. I am glad we got our map to make sure we headed into the right direction.
    I was always happy to see the eagle, we got out at the right station and found the right exit :)
    Traveling is an art, I think, experience helps.....

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    Replies
    1. So very true, MLMA, and you are an expert at figuring all this out ahead of time. Thank you. :)

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  2. When public transport is available, accessible and affordable, it makes for a better travel experience.

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  3. What kind of shoes do you and Astrid wear? You must have good shoes! Send me an email sometime. I have some questions for you! Susandenecke1@frontier.com thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Astrid and I do wear good walking shoes, Susan. I used Merrells for all our excursions outside...am partial to them. Astrid used her Lowa walking boots, a German brand, I think. Anyway, that's important, yes. On my way now to send you an email....

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  4. It's a great idea to share how you got back and forth. This is part of the story wherever we go, so it should be included!

    You know I love seeing that grandma and grandson. :)

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    1. Well, Ruth, you certainly see the similarities and the differences when you travel abroad, but in the end the similarities really win out. Thank you. And yes, I immediately thought of you and James that day!

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