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Budapest - Danube Bend
We boarded our bus and rode to Visegrad on the Danube Bend. The Bend is so named because the Danube River makes an abrupt 90 degree turn at that point, turning south when its eastern flow is blocked by low mountains. Visegrad was the capital of Hungary before the mid-13th century. We drove by the ruins of the old Royal Palace, only a few yards from the Danube. We had lunch at a restaurant with a view across to the old citadel on a high hill overlooking the river. Supposedly we had "mixed game" soup. It was full of meat, but all of it looked the same, tender and tasty, but very dark in color. In fact, it looked just like the meat we were then served for the main course, but none of us could figure out what that was either, possibly venison. Anyway, it was another huge meal, and with unlimited wine. After lunch the group headed for the citadel, partially in ruins after being blown up by the Austrians in 1849, like most fortifications, to prevent its use against them. We climbed all the way to the top and had a fantastic view of the Danube Bend. On the way down we toured the wax works, made up entirely of exhibits of implements of torture.
As the bus drove through a small village on the way back, we saw a large storks' nest on top of a utility tower and another stork on a street light. On the outskirts of Obuda, we passed through the remains of Aquincum, for 400 years a Roman military camp and civilian town. It was established by legionnaires in 12 A.D. when the Danube here was the edge of the Roman Empire. It was part of the Roman province of Lower Pannonia. Hadrian, later Emperor of Rome, was governor here as a young man. Pannonia was finally overrun by the Huns in 433 A.D. Acquincum was a large settlement, and the remains of villas, baths, shops, and two amphitheaters were surprisingly well preserved, though often only as foundations and low walls. An aqueduct several miles long ran right along the highway.
Fighting its way through heavy traffic, the bus got back to the hotel around five. We went up to the fitness center to try to work off some of the heavy lunch (and wine). We rested a while, then had a light meal (tuna) in the Grill at nine, using the second $18 voucher. Afterward we decided to go for a walk across the Chain Bridge. On the way out of the hotel, we met another couple, Harry and Connie, who asked if they could join us. The weather was pleasantly cool, and the view of Mathias Church and the Presbyterian Church below it was spectacular. The view back across the river toward Parliament was also great. On the walk back, though, two young men attached themselves to us. I loudly told them to keep away from me, and they did. As Harry lagged behind, they pretended to be interested in buying his belt. That allowed them to get close enough to pick his pocket of about $35 in loose bills he had in his side pocket. He noticed that the money was gone within a minute or two after they left us, but it was too late to do anything. It was eleven by the time we got back to the hotel.
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