Budapest (Part 2)

We have spent the last couple of days exploring more of Budapest.  We've been to the Terror Museum, which documents Hungary under the Nazis and the homegrown Arrow Cross movement, and then the Soviets.  Death, betrayal, torture...all very grim.

Today we walked to Margaret Island to go to the thermal baths, with the added bonus of water slides.  On the way we passed the Shoes on the Danube, which is a memorial to a large group of Jews killed by Hungarian Arrow Cross militiamen.  They were told to remove their shoes and then they were shot, falling into the river.   We also met Ronald Reagan resplendent in bronze.  Finn called him 'Ronnie'.  He was looking sharp.  It's peculiar to think how people here seem to consider him a great man.  The man who won the cold war; the man who forced the Soviet Union's disintegration; the man who freed Hungary.  No hollywood actor or Alzheimers jokes allowed.

Being a city of romantics, we also found love locks in one of the central parks.   Couples put their initials on a padlock to symbolise their love.  We also found a fantastic playground, an essential part of our daily itinerary.

The combination of water slides and playgrounds meant an exciting day for Finn.  He enjoyed going down the rafting slide with John, except for when he hit the water and went for a tumble and ended up under water.  He came up coughing and spluttering.  We had some moments too when he repeatedly and loudly pointed out that some men and women in speedos and bikinis had 'big tummies' - we hope they were Hungarian and didn't understand.

We've been sampling the Hungarian coffee each morning.  Like a lot of Australians, we can be way too precious about our coffee.  I'm told that coffee is the national drink of Hungary.  It was brought to Buda from Turkey in 1579.  What?!?!  They've had five hundred years to perfect their coffee and they serve it in a plastic cup?

We stumbled upon a little gem called Little Melbourne near our apartment.  The cafe is stocked with Bundaberg Ginger Beer, Byron Bay cookies and lamingtons.  And, they had the flat white on the menu.  The coffee is the one pictured on the right.  Looks good, doesn't it?  It should, it was eight times more expensive than the plastic one.

Our time in Budapest has been just what the doctor ordered.  After a busy time in Canberra with John's Arabic exam and the uplift, we were looking to relax.  This was a tall order given we are travelling with a toddler and baby in tow, but so far our time here has been very chilled out - our days have included lots of walks, gelato and Hungarian wine.  The Hungarian wine is like their coffee; a little rough, but at a price point where it is totally drinkable.

And, just for the Grandparents, here are a couple of photos of Finn and Wilf.  They have both travelled well.  Finn is relaxed and enjoying himself and we think Wilf has finally kicked the jet lag -Hoorah!