The day began with me waking up super early to cook us some breakfast: chicken steak with eggs accompanied by toast and juice. Maybe even some pan-fried peppers were on the menu. (I can't remember what I made because I simply cook as I feel with what was available. A picture of tomorrow's breakfast will explain that~). Anyway, as we never seem to have enough time, after securing the place- several locks needed to be turned coming in and going out- we rushed down the hill and hopped on the tram to Pest.
We met up with the "Pest Walking Tour" at the Budapest Card Info-Point at Deák Ferenc tér, and you wouldn't believe how convenient it was to take the tram- literally the last stop! And to think we were worried about being late and missing the tour? Well, that can happen and we never know what else can happen too, so I do prefer to be AHEAD of schedule than chasing it. Following this tour guide with a Dracula like accent, we began our Pest-roaming. For some odd reason, he reminded me of this Hungarian classmate that had joined our class for a couple of years back in elementary school. Super blonde hair, lanky and shy, I can almost complete the scene in my head the day he walked into our classroom. He was all I knew of Hungary, and nothing more. So, definitely about time to do some proper learning of this mysterious country.
(more ways to keep tabs on the things you wanna do, grab a mini card!)
(St. Stephen's Basilica: suppose it hasn't been officially declared as a Basilica because the pope hasn't physically been here to "bless" it...but meh!)
(definitely an awe to see all this craftsmanship, the materials & detailing...wow)
(that's gotta be the largest set of rosemary I've ever seen!)
(don't question, King Stephen's right hand...)
Side note: Kind Stephen is the founder of Hungary.
(is right here!! you see?!)
(our tour guide also played a few folk songs for us...and asked us to join him in dance. doable and done!)
The Budapest Card actually came with quite a few discounts off various restaurants, spas and other stuff, which in a way, saved us the hassle to think of places to visit. One of the highlighted was the New York Cafe, and truth be told, it was a beautiful place to sit and have some afternoon tea. Except, it had a couple of disappointing points that I really must share: the furniture (ex. tables & chairs) do not hold up to the ambiance of the room itself and service can be improved. Why do I say that the furniture needs attention? Because the walls and ceilings are so elegant and classy, yet the tables & chairs are so...ordinary. They take away from the whole look and feel of this majestic scene, and I'm sure anyone with some sense of interior design would know that. Therefore, certainly a point deduction.
(looked like a scene out of the movies...)
(reminds me of those marbled pieces of chocolate...*drool*)
(it's all about the details)
(I would like to have one of these balconies. Plz & thank you!)
(me with my Macchiato kávé & super sweet chocolate cake)
(Ivy with her pretty good "I can't remember what the name of the cake was")
Service was something that caused more damage. Apparently, upon requesting for the bill, I had forgotten to indicate that we were Budapest Card holders. When the bill came, of course I quickly informed them, and you would not believe the answer I received: sorry, our machine cannot edit the bill after it has been printed. WHAT restaurant can't do that!? Even some cheap Chinese restaurant at the sketchiest place in Chinatown can do that, and you're telling me this cafe of a 5-star hotel cannot? Whatever you're paying for your system is a waste of money. Seriously. But okay, I admit it was my fault for not remembering to show the card, but KNOWING your restaurant is in partnership with a tourist company, wouldn't it be something to ask prior to printing the bill, especially when it CANNOT be re-printed? Com'on, you really think people would go to a cafe like this in Budapest for afternoon tea or meal if it weren't for the interior design? Trust me, I've had better cakes. Regardless, just something to watch out for if this stop is in your Budapest Card itinerary.
We also dropped by the Opera House, catching one of the last English tours before they closed for the day. As I didn't believe in purchasing the permission to take photos, there won't be many photos for this section. You ask, why don't I just pay for it? Well, I don't get how that works if we have to pay for taking photos ON TOP of our entry fee. It's a bit silly really that there is even a fee for taking photos. That had happened in Myanmar as well, but that was basically "tourist fee" because entry was free. Now, the deal is to pay for entry AND photos? Nah, that's just money-greedy. Nevertheless, it was certainly a place of historical value, being the hangout place for the royals and socialites of the time. It's a bit sad to hear that people weren't really there for the art, but for socializing. Even the royals rarely visited, despite the designation of the best booth in the house with its personal entrance. Well-wasted much. Still, the Opera House operated with or without the full appreciation of its visitors.
(let's go see see if anyone who's who is here~)
(I think I took this picture in anger that even the Opera House put out notice to present Budapest Card upon payment just to show how horrendous New York Cafe was...)
(the ONE picture that I sneaked cos I knew I'd kick myself if I didn't take it. Look how properly this place aged!)
Wondering where else to go, we decided to visit another destination on the Budapest Card list- The Gold Museum. This is a private collection that held many very distinct pieces of gold, even I'm baffled at how he had gotten his hands on them. From ornaments to jewelry to pots, some of these items go back as far as 9th Century from all over Asia. Now, why of all places would they be on display here in Budapest, Hungary? I don't know either, but as all fragment of history have a way of giving me the jitters, we didn't stay too long. The rest of the night was spent at a restaurant that I can't find the name of but was actually pretty good, and grocery shopping for tomorrow's breakfast.
(just to say "I was here!")
(what a wonderful surprise this appie was! so much flavour packed into this tiny pocket~)
(I believe I took the safe road and ordered chicken? loved the cheese carrots & creamy sauce)
(honestly can't remember what le sister had...but I distinctly remember her saying, "a ball of dough", but overall, I quite like the Hungarian way of combining the different flavours. A bit Asian, but not really. Fantastic surprise indeed)
Tomorrow? Buda time.