The ride - Day 3

The ride - Day 3

What is that little white box on the wall - an airconditioning thermostat - what is that - an airconditioning switch - ah that is better - no need for the windows to be open for the cabin to be tolerable - The engines whisper away all night - great for sleeping - we awake at 7 to find the boat steaming on towards Budapest - we wander out for breakfast - people generally slow to rise - breakfast

The now daily briefing from the bohemian tour director - tour comedian - not sure which - capable of deriving comedy from the nuisances of language even in a foreign tongue.

Now it is the german's turn for their briefing - we all adjourn to the front deck - sun shining - we approach Budapest - we pass esztergom - the  basilica commands the travelers on the river - we steam on towards Budapest - the crowd on the deck steadily grows - everyone is on deck - we are served wine - water - hungarian goulash - we pass Margret island - the city comes into sight - ah - lots smiles - people look forward to their free day in the city - Bernie and I look forward to our day off.

The bikes are off loaded and the bike tourists head off - the guided tourists leave - the ship is deserted save the crew - Bernie to the cabin to sleep.

Wakeup bern - time for lunch - go away! - wake up Bernie - stop pestering me - but it is 2 o'clock - ok - don't rush me - off the boat- across the road - into the square - no - into the back street - there is a pub - the waiter comes out - sees us coming - we order - I have cabbage stuffed with meatballs, sauerkraut and sour cream - more like meat balls wrapped in cabbage - obviously local - glass of wine - a couple bottles of mineral water - out comes the bill - dear - wine doubled up - what the hell - not worth the argument - pay the bill and head back to the boat - more sleep - rise for dinner and the stories of the day trippers.

The day tripper reports - mixed at best - the hop on people relate - too many stops in the sun - the bike riders report - traffic tough and the trip long - people look tired at dinner - some miss dinner and dine out - arrive back reporting great food - others arrive back reporting the boxing promoter cum restaurant owner who is devastated to find that Lionel Rose has passed on .

Dinner has a entre that is to die for - recognise that in advance and decide not to partake - no Australian choses to partake of carp as the main course - mine was chicken - better than it looked - we start with reisling but eventually move to Peter's preference. - this time a merlot.

Talk about anything  and everything - agree that cowra chardonnai's are pretty good - wonder about yellow tail - think about the influence of communism on the hungarians  - you shall stay in your allotted seats!

Retire to the bar - talk about everything from communism to the NBN - use the straws to count how many G&T's - which ride are you doing in the morning - gee they are great dancers - watch the young German 's dance together through a full bracket - impressed - envious - wonderful - off to bed.

Get into bed - open the curtains - can it get any better than this - the cabin window frames a vista of the Hungarian Parliament Building across the Danube from the ship..