Merry Christmas!

Woke up on Christmas day in Budapest... and really had to think if it was true! We went in the bus up to the castle/palace on the Buda side of town.. Spectacular views but flippin cold. Slight snow again... but nothing lasting.

Saw this incredible shoe memorial. Our tour guide was of Jewish family and told really sad stories about the Holocaust, and this memorial is a line of shoes along the river's edge which look like maybe 40 people just stepped out of their boots and fell in the river. This represents how some people were forced into the river during the execution of Jews in world war II.









We wandered through the streets and found somewhere for lunch.. which I didn't write down and now have no idea!

Back to hotel for catnaps and blogging.

We then went as a group to this Budapest style dinner where the food was good and the entertainment was fantastic. We had dancing girls, boys, musicians, singers and it was just amazing. I loved the traditional dress and the fun and laughter.

Home to hotel exhausted.

So it's now the 24th December

(well actually... to tell the truth... it's the 31st and I finally have internet access again!)

So the 24th was a really long driving day, through three countries in one day!

We drove from Prague, through to Bratislava, where we stopped for lunch... though many things were closed. There was a light snow flurry as we drove so much excitement. Anyway we found somewhere to eat and were proud of ourselves for managing to pay with the right money.

Back on the bus and onwards to Budapest, where we stayed in a beautiful old hotel. We met in the foyer to share Christmas presents with all of the group. We drew a name from the hat and had to buy a 2 Euro gift for them. We both found a christmassy thing and added a kiwi pen to it and handed it over. We both got Christmassy things back! A little glass and a lovely ornament.

Then to dinner, it was supposed to be a traditional Budapest dinner, but to be honest it was more like a 4 star hotel version of the local food, not too bad but not particularly interesting.

We then took a drive of Budapest by night and hopped off at various points to see the views and sights. We learned that Buda and Pest and Old Pest are all different places, and saw amazing lights at night. Then... a lovely suprise... the tour guide, Brigette, organised bubbles and sparklers at this beautiful old castle museum place, for us to all say Merry Christmas. (note this is still the 24th... but I had my Santa hat on because it was already Christmas in NZ).