Budapest: July 7: Castle Hill and Gerbeaud

Eamon checking out the view of Budapest from Castle Hill.



Maybe a little intimidated by the soldiers!

Matthias Church on Castle Hill

Fisherman's Bastion is actually a watchtower area for fisherman who also acted as guards.

Tourists swarming the Fisherman's Bastion

Panorama of the view from the Fisherman's Bastion. If you look really close, you can see Parliament.

Gio and Aunt LiLi

The lovely Chris and LiLi.

With crazy Gio!

Gio was always begging for gelato. He had a good day so he got a stawberry gelato. 

Gio's photo of Eamon

This is the cute little town within the castle walls. 

The other side of Matthias Church. Notice the tiled roof and the patina'd copper rain gutters.

This is the castle itself. It's on the Buda side of the Danube River.

There was a nice playground up on Castle Hilll. We had lunch on a nearby picnic table, enjoyed some classical music being played up the hill a bit and watched the kids play. It was a perfect afternoon!

A view of the Chain Bridge which connects Buda and Pest across the Danube.

Exhausted Eamon!

Incredibly silly Gio outside the restaurant where we ate traditional Hungarian food. Lots of pork! It's yummy!

Kids posing in front of some park art on our way to Gerbeaud.

Our dessert sampler at Gerbeaud, a famous pastry shop in a posh part of Pest. Gio and I loved everything, but the other's weren't as keen. Too sweet and rich they said. I do agree, but it's very tasty!

Gio is excited to dig in!

A nearby fountain where Gio learned how to adjust the spray......

and spray Eamon!

Budapest, 2013

Our second day in Budapest. This is the main drag in Pest, Vaci Ucta. There are a lot of historic buildings on the road, including this beautiful example of Art Nouveau.

This is the Central Market Hall in Pest. It's a huge market full of vegetables, fruits, spices, breads, cheeses, and tons and tons of pork products. Everything in Hungary has pork. Good for the boys, because they LOVE pork! 

Gio chose this large pretzel from a slew of different bread choices. It's covered in a very salty cheese. 

Of course, I had to try some too!

Ming checking out the paprika display.

Sleepy Eamon

Checking out the view from above.

Eamon and I waiting for sausage.

And Gio, too!

A pretty street view on the way to a "Pig Slaughter" in the neighborhood of Belvaros. Much of the city was built and designed in the late 1800's.

Our meal at the Pig Slaughter. Yum!

Crazy Eamon would only eat the sausage if it was whole. He didn't want it cut up. Funny Man!

The following day, yesterday, we went to Margaret Island which is like the Central Park of Budapest. This is a large fountain where we could dip our feet. Eamon enjoyed it the most.

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A medieval ruin on Margaret Island. 

This is the other side of the ruin. 

Gio was fascinated by this train pulled by a horse.

 We found a nice lily pond to relax and look at. There were a lot of fish, tadpoles, and turtles here.

Today, we went to the Basilica of St. Stephan. 

This is the floor just outside the Basilica.

Gio in front of one of the side alters.

The inside of the dome.

The main alter.

Eamon looking up at the dome.

St. Stephan's hand is inside this gilded box. He died about 1,000 years ago. Needless today, Gio was fascinated by this and asked a lot of questions.

Pretty tile work inside the basilica

Outside, side view.

Gio checking out a cool looking bug outside the Basilica.

Riding a Sphinx statue right outside the Opera. 

The opera house.

The statues of the opera. 

The Synagogue