Relaxing day in Busapest!

Budapest turned out to be the perfect place to spend the day relaxing after eight busy travel days.

We decided to visit the Széchenyi thermal bath and swimming pool Tuesday afternoon. Our first stop, however, was at a small grocery store to buy some bread, meat and cheese for lunch. We walked to a small park near the thermal baths and made sandwiches. I made the mistake of buying a big bottle of water with gas -- carbonated water that is popular in Europe and Latin America. It must be an acquired taste ... a very acquired taste! I had a few drinks but couldn't finish the bottle.

Afterward, we made our way to the Roman baths. There were three big outdoor pools. One was a swimming pool but the other two were thermal baths. The temperature in the first bath was about 89 degrees while the other was closer to 100 degrees. We went back and forth between the two for about 90 minutes. The first bath also had a circular whirlpool with powerful jets along the walls that helped to spin you around the pool. With so many people in the circular whirlpool, it was like bumper water cars!

The cooler of the two baths

It was a busy afternoon at the baths

When we first arrived at the baths, the employees also said they did massages at the facility. I had a head, neck and shoulder massage when I was in Thailand a couple of years ago and decided to do it again here. It was very relaxing!

We visited this monument as we left the thermal baths.

Heroes  Monument ... we stopped here as we left the thermal baths.

We returned to the hostel for about an hour and then decided to go back out to get an overview of the city as the sun went down and the lights began illuminating the bridges and buildings. We picked up some snacks on the way as well -- some bread and cheese. We bought a cheap asparagus cutter at the grocery store to slice the cheese, as we didn't want to buy a knife and carry it around! The asparagus cutter didn't last too long.

On the way there, I saw this paperboy. I assume it says "extra extra!" (This was is for you, News-Banner crew!)

As we reached the river and bridge, we saw people sitting up here and decided to climb up, too. The views were stunning.

Here are some views of Budapest from night. They were taken on the Buda side of the city looking toward Pest.

When we first arrived at the top

A short time later

Budapest at night

Just before we climbed down

The Chain Bridge

Hungarian Parliament at night

We are about to head to the train station again to travel to Zagreb, Croatia. Today will be another travel day, but we will spend the next several days in Croatia. 

Hasta pronto!