I was looking forward to exploring Budapest having heard many great things about the city. With very little knowledge and even less planning I was very greatful for my local guide Ami!
Many of the buildings date from around the mid to late 19th century and are grand and ornate. We walked to Andrássy út a 2.5 km boulevard which is listed as a UNESCO heritage sight, leads to Heroes' Square and is listed as Number 7 on Lonely Planets top 10 Budapest sights.
We caught the train from a subway station dating back to 1894. The oldest subway on the European Mainland. Only surpassed in age by London's underground.
The metalwork detail and timber and tile finishes make these stations works of art. We jumped off the train at the Opera House and meandered past fancy shops, much like you would see in Collins Street in Melbourne. We then jumped on a bus (number 16) which took us across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, up a fairly steep hill aptly named Castle Hill because there is a Palace on top of it!
About the extent of my knowledge regarding this city was that it was two cities, Buda and Pest, which are separated by the Denube River. Buda is the hilly side of the city and Pest is very flat.
We walked around the palace grounds, down the hill and across the Chain Bridge.
We headed down Zrínyi u which is a pedestrian mall which perfectly frames the St Stephen Basilica in the distance.
We met Greg and had lunch at a local cafe before Ami and I headed South towards Nagycsarnok, the Great Market. It took us a while because we went in and out of a lot of shops and there was an artisan market in a square along the way.
Skater statues and mail boxes were distractions as well:
Eventually we made it to the market - an amazing building both inside and out.
Grabbing a few things for dinner we started heading home. Literally only a few blocks from home I fell over, twisting my ankle! It was bound to happen at least once on this trip. Ami looked after me and I've had frozen beans cooking on it - she'll be right!
Today I caught up on a few of the blog posts having fallen a little behind for those of you playing along at home.
Around 2pm I caught a lift to the airport with Gemma and Peter and Peter was dropping Gemma off for a work trip to London.
Mum and Dad headed off with Amy to visit a couple more sights before making their way to the airport later that day.
It was a full plane flying to Budapest and we flew over the UK then the Black Sea then down to Budapest.
I was on my way to visit Ami, Greg and Felix. Ami and I worked together at The University of Melbourne and it had been 15 months since they had moved back to Europe from Australia.
Greg kindly met me at the airport and headed back to their home. Felix was still up and shyly gave me a smile poking his head out from behind his mum's legs.
Shopping, shopping, shopping. Didn't go here as it looked a bit dodgy!
To say thank you for all the hospitality - we took everyone out for dinner at Brian Boru.
We were also treated to a spectacular sunset.
Did you see all that blue sky!!
It was a great night with more laughter and shared memories. Amy had brought over the quilt mum had made for her and Craig. I am undoubtedly biased but I think she's pretty good at the quilting!!
Many hugs were shared and a few tears - Craig was working the next day and wouldn't see mum and dad again.
We were sad to say goodbye to the now familiar row of terrace houses but alas the city was calling us back. Gemma and Beth left first, loaded with rubbish, recycling and luggage. Amy would be taking mum, dad and myself and we would be leaving the boys, Peter, Matt and Craig to do a final tidy up.
We piled into the Fiat, and on our way to Dundalk to visit Catherine and Brent. I've been reliably informed that the local townsfolk are not referred to as Dundorkians - I for one think this is a great shame!
There was a spot of rain as we drove out of County Donegal - but along with the rain - a promise of not too much rain:
Not being used to roads with bends in them since moving to the country, I popped a Kwell anti-motion sickness tablet which had me basically unconscious for the next two hours. I've been reliably informed I missed some beautiful countryside.
We ended up meeting Catherine and Brent at Catherine's parents, Peter and Chris, just outside Dundalk, at Ballymascanlon House Hotel. We enjoyed a great little catch up and we were very thankful that Amy was able to take us to visit our Hoppers Crossing friends.
We made good time back to Claremont and met again our fellow travellers. I may or may not have had another nanna nap - thanks to the flow on affects of Mr Kwell.
It was a quiet day, dad managed to get mum and I sick so we were resting in front of the fire. Showers continued to roll in waves from the south, but the sun broke through between the waves. During one of the breaks we jumped in the car and Craig took us to Inishowen Head where we got our first glimpse of Scotland.
We almost had to launch a rescue mission when a woolly sheep got a tad stuck.
Outrunning the next rain shower we got to the beach and my first lighthouse pic of the trip.
On our way back to Moville we spotted a lady just out walking her pony, as you do.
We later saw her giving rides to kids in the park - the pony not the lady!
Today it rained - not just sprinkles but propper rain. Rain that left Craig and Matt soaked on their way to retrieve umbrellas in Derry. The Anslow Family had gone ahead to drop Julie off at the bus to begin her long journey back to New Zealand.
We sought refuge in the Guildhall. An impressive building, not just for its architectural merits but because it wasn't raining in there!
You'll notice that it was even raining from below!!
Between showers we walked part of the Derry walls. These had been closed to the public until quite recently as Derry was a hotspot in The Troubles.
We looked out over the Bog, the Catholic part of Derry, and the site of the Bloody Sunday Massacre.
Huge murals depicting images of The Troubles adorn the sides of buildings along with images depicting symbols of freedom.
In the next downpour we escaped to a vintage shop where there was a fashion show of sorts. Perhaps Amy found her dress for the Australian wedding?
A tired and soggy crew piked back into cars and headed back to Moville. I fear the weather did defeat us all a little that day.
Into Northern Island our rag-tag band of travellers headed towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Giants Causeway.
I had absolutely no idea what it as we were visiting - I had in my mind that it was a man made structure we were going to see! As it turns out that couldn't have been less accurate an assumption.
The Giants Causeway is a naturally occurring phenomena of over 40,000 basalt (known down under as blue stone) columns created out of lava flows.
Also created out of lava flows, this yellow emergency phone!
And this red phone box:
The afternoon saw us experience a little car trouble so leaving a car load at he causeway Amy took the tourists for a quick squiz at the ruins of Dunluce Castle.
Today we had a leisurely sleep in and after a warm and filling lunch full of cheese and bread and soup we headed out for a drive of the Inishowen Peninsula.
Heading down country lands with bare hedges lining the roads we wound our way past thatch cottages with white limewash and blooming daffodils in their yards.
We made our way to Malin Head, following the Wild Atlantic Way. Malin Head is the most Northern part of Ireland. It was a windswept landscape with few plants and large granite outcrops.
We saw many woolly sheep with black heads and feet being followed by their lambs. There were even a few Highland Cattle with the long horns and shaggy coats to protect them against the blustery conditions.
We stopped briefly at the local Curiosity Shop where I picked up a Marin Head fridge magnet! Score!! Upon exiting the shop It looked like the sibling was settling in against Craigos and Beth already!
Off we went to Culdaff Beach where I climbed over some rocks and peered into some rock pools while others kicked the footy on the beach and played a bit of hurling.
We enjoyed a quick drink at McGrory's before heading home, where Gemma had a lovely dinner of spaghetti bolognase waiting!!
After dinner there was an intense game of Bingo which Meghan won only because Julie and Beth didn't understand Matt's Aussie accent and missed a number or two. Bravely the Melbourne Edition of Monopoly was opened and a select few chose to play despite warnings that the Anslow's can get a rad competitive.
At the time of posting Craig is probably winning with the most property, although Amy may have the most money in the bank and Beth is playing a defensive game, blocking others moves with her scattered properties. Matt believes he is not doing well and wants to have a drinks break! Only time will tell who the winner is and who the losers will be...
Today we left the city behind and travelled North through Northern Ireland to Moville, Donegal.
We were greeted with beautiful big blue skies and even glimpses of Scotland far off into the distance.
Views of Northern Island from Moville.
Beautiful terrace houses - we are staying in Peter and Gemma's terrace which is the third house from the far left.
We went for a walk along the foreshore, enjoying the sunshine and blue water. A rock skimming competition was hard fought but ultimately won by Craig's stone skipping 7 times. We headed back into town along the main road. Past sheep and lambs, churches and gardens.
We headed out for a hearty, warm and very filling dinner at one of the 16 local pubs, Rosatos Bar. Then back home for an early night.
I arrived at 1.55pm, a whole 5 minutes before 2pm- the pre-ordained time of meeting only to be messaged to say that we were now meeting at 2.30.
I took advantage of the time and went in to the zoo and found something to eat. I thought it odd at the time that meerkat was on the menu, but when in Dublin...
Not waiting for my fellow zoo goers I headed towards the lions. The mum (and perhaps and aunt) were napping in the sun with a youngster. Dad was off on his own looking pretty much dead and there was another little cub doing his own thing too. This cub decided to come and find mum.
Mum!! I'm bored!
I want to play!
Okay, I'll just sit on you then!
Oh sorry, I didn't see you there!
Hmpff! That didn't go to plan!
Off I toddled and saw some other animals. This little guy with a pink bottom (that kind of looks like the shape of a hand) was just having a bad hair day - he spent most of the time sitting with his back to the crowd.
Simba was enjoying his time off from performing in The Lion King and was just chilling in the grass.
I found out where I was using the zoo map. I some how don't think this is to scale...
I was pretty excited about seeing the red pandas! Normally these little guys are way too hard to spot at Melbourne Zoo amongst all the foliage. He was just a little bit busy cleaning himself to look up for the camera - next time!
The flamingos were pretty cool - I'm not sure that I've ever seen one before so this was exciting. They did have quite a lot to say - none of which I could understand or interpret...it must have been the Irish accent!
It was feeding time at the sea lions and I managed to get a couple of photos for Bethany who I know was keen to see if we would spot any on this trip.
The heron eagerly awaits left overs.
I watched the Sumatran Tiger prowl up and down his enclosure - much as I had seen his cousin in Melbourne do.
His pals next door the Amur or Siberian Tigers were a little more chilled out. I think he would probably sleep in your lap if you would let him. Although I wouldn't recommend trying that at home.
I wandered over to the penguins and got to watch them being fed. They followed the keeper around - hoping that he had more. One of them refused to leave his side until he showed him the empty bucket.
They were cute little things - bigger than our Fairy Penguins at home. They were having some competition from the Herons who were ever present waiting to scavenge for any fishy leftovers.
Its my fish!
No! Its my fish!
Don't make me fight you! I know the ancient art of ka-ra-tay!
That's right - go home - no fish for you!
Finally my fellow zoo companions caught up with me and we headed off to the African Plains. Here we passed by grevillea, several types of wattle, westringia and even dietes grandiflora plants, all of which are Australian natives but must do better in the Irish climate than plants indigenous to Africa and its plains.
We came across zebras, rhinos, hippos, ostriches and my favourites, the giraffes. They are so awkward looking yet beautifully graceful at the same time - a bit like me!
Next were the gorillas and they were all inside their fun house out of the cold.
Dum de dum do dum...I think I'll have something to eat. I wonder what I can find over there.
Carrots and some other vegetable... Carrots will do.
I think I'll sit up here and watch the chef prepare our food in the kitchen.
Who does she think she is - I'm the King of the World!!
I'm behind you...
I'll take that as my queue to exit stage right!
Do you think he knows I'm here? Perhaps if I do a King Kong impersonation he may take notice?
I couldn't really be bothered - I'll just sit here and stare at him for a bit.
It's a beautiful zoo and well worth a visit if you're in the Dublin area. We even saw a very rare sighting....A heard of Irish elephants, shhh the scare easily.
Tomorrow we're off to Moville, Donegal. I'm very much looking forward to the country air. I'm unsure of the wifi, internet connectivity so if there are no blog posts for a few days, don't stress.
