As you now know from reading my blog posts, we both LOVE the Hungarian culture, its composers, music and all.
So we booked a trip by luxury bus, all the way from The Netherlands with main stays Prague, Budapest and Vienna.
So here we went again on September 25 of 1996...
Happy me in the bus on our beautiful route from Vienna via Bratislava to Budapest in Hungary.
Comfy knitted Escada skirt with silk blouse.
We stayed at hotel Hunor in room 203.
address was: Budapest, Pünkösdfürdő u. 40, Hungary
After breakfast we head to Buda and Pest with our Dutch speaking guide; Imre.
He had been in The Netherlands after WWI when there was famine in Hungary.
More than 60,000 Hungarian children left between 1920 and 1930.
In 2018 there was an exhibition in Budapest, highlighting the famous 'baby trains' mainly to the Netherlands and Belgium to stay with foster parents.
My screenshot is being translated by google and thus a bit 'off' but it tells the story.
published on: www.rd.nl
from: www.federatio.org/history.html
We both found it heartwarming to hear about so much gratitude towards our birth country!
View over the Danube as seen from Buda looking at Pest...
While the rest of the group went on a boat on the Danube, we both went into the city.
The weather was pleasant for walking.
Wearing my Chanel loafers and belt with purse.
At a luxury mall we found a lightweight linnen/cotton/polyamide sweater for Pieter and for me socks of the same content, for wearing in my boots.
Oh, at this mall I also spotted a dream of an Escada suit that I later found on eBay as the boutique price was way off limit for us...
We drank a cappuccino at Café Gerbeaud before walking back to the Danube where our bus was waiting.
Back at our hotel and changed wearing my Escada suit; ready for dinner...
Dinner at a Csárdás restaurant in Budapest with excellent gypsy music + dance!
Yes, I was wearing my Hungarian blouse bought in Szentendre in 1984...
On Friday, September 27, we depart after breakfast for the plains between the Donau and Tisza.
We arrive via Kecskemét at the Pongrácz puszta where we first receive a welcome drink, the Barack Pálinka (apricot brandy).
Next we enjoy a wonderful horse show!
We stayed at hotel Hunor in room 203.
address was: Budapest, Pünkösdfürdő u. 40, Hungary
After breakfast we head to Buda and Pest with our Dutch speaking guide; Imre.
He had been in The Netherlands after WWI when there was famine in Hungary.
In 2018 there was an exhibition in Budapest, highlighting the famous 'baby trains' mainly to the Netherlands and Belgium to stay with foster parents.
My screenshot is being translated by google and thus a bit 'off' but it tells the story.
published on: www.rd.nl
We both found it heartwarming to hear about so much gratitude towards our birth country!
While the rest of the group went on a boat on the Danube, we both went into the city.
Wearing my Chanel loafers and belt with purse.
At a luxury mall we found a lightweight linnen/cotton/polyamide sweater for Pieter and for me socks of the same content, for wearing in my boots.
Oh, at this mall I also spotted a dream of an Escada suit that I later found on eBay as the boutique price was way off limit for us...
Yes, I was wearing my Hungarian blouse bought in Szentendre in 1984...
On Friday, September 27, we depart after breakfast for the plains between the Donau and Tisza.
We arrive via Kecskemét at the Pongrácz puszta where we first receive a welcome drink, the Barack Pálinka (apricot brandy).
Wearing my Burberry blazer and The Bridge saddlebag.
Horse show and a DONKEY... to the right!
When I wanted a photo with these artists, this horse man planted his dusty hat on my head...!
The female rider and her horse with our entire group.
Husband Pieter is at the top right, wearing a cap (we both were the ONLY Americans!) and I'm to his left...
After a delicious hot lunch with goulash soup we went with 11 in a wagon...
The photographer was standing on top of his Trabant and he had these photos developed within the hour that we were out in the puszta.
The weather was nice and sunny!
On Saturday, September 28, we left Budapest by bus, via the Danube Bend with a stop in Esztergom.
Here in Esztergom we visited Hungary's Largest Church-Esztergom Basilica and Treasury (With Facts/Figures) just click through for informative short video.
This Basilica is also seen in my post about Pieter's 1974 visit during Communism.
Here in Esztergom lies Cardinal József Mindszenty reburied since 1991.
A primate of Hungary and hero of the anti-communist resistance. Mindszenty, who had been a prisoner from 1948 to 1956, took refuge after the Hungarian revolt in the American embassy in Budapest.
Cardinal Mindszenty died in 1975 at age 83, he was buried in Austria, where he lived in exile.
The proces for his beautification began in 1996.
As a child, I remember we prayed a lot for Cardinal Mindszenty!
From Esztergom I brought back this crystal and gold rabbit... named Snuffy.
We used to have a little wild rabbit here but with our felines of course none seen at present!
The bus went to Györ where we had lunch before leaving Hungary for Vienna in Austria.
We got most of this trip video taped...
~~☼~~
Thanks for your vist and comment!
Related links:
Husband Pieter is at the top right, wearing a cap (we both were the ONLY Americans!) and I'm to his left...
The weather was nice and sunny!
On Saturday, September 28, we left Budapest by bus, via the Danube Bend with a stop in Esztergom.
This Basilica is also seen in my post about Pieter's 1974 visit during Communism.
A primate of Hungary and hero of the anti-communist resistance. Mindszenty, who had been a prisoner from 1948 to 1956, took refuge after the Hungarian revolt in the American embassy in Budapest.
Cardinal Mindszenty died in 1975 at age 83, he was buried in Austria, where he lived in exile.
The proces for his beautification began in 1996.
As a child, I remember we prayed a lot for Cardinal Mindszenty!
We used to have a little wild rabbit here but with our felines of course none seen at present!
The bus went to Györ where we had lunch before leaving Hungary for Vienna in Austria.
We got most of this trip video taped...
~~☼~~
Thanks for your vist and comment!
Communist Hungary with Husband Pieter Part III - Szentendre | previous post by me where I bought my blouse...
My 1st Trip to Communist Hungary with Husband Pieter Part II - Budapest | previous post by me
Husband Pieter's 1974 Visit to Esztergom, Hungary during Communism | previous post by me with Basilica in photo
Hello Mariette, I had not known about the "baby trains," something else he Netherlands can be proud of. You might not have any rabbits left, but there seems to be a bumper crop of them in Ohio this year, along with chipmunks, squirrels, and so forth. I know these animals can be harmful, but I still like to see them running about.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteIndeed, those 'baby trains' was a very nobel act for saving some 60,000 children between 1920 and 1930.
Our guide Imre was still so grateful and proudly spoke our Dutch language!
How we miss seeing any bunnies and chipmunks have kind of vanished here as well. Only squirrels we have plenty.
Hugs,
Mariette
We are getting history lessons along with your travel accounts. So much we don't know about the past, even in our own countries. I take a journal every time we travel and always start the trip off writing about everything but then get sidetracked with all our adventuring and then find myself back home with so many blank pages. :/ It's wonderful that you documented so much.
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteMeeting this Hungarian guide Imre who was still so grateful to The Netherlands, was an eye opener.
It makes you treasure things in your heart more than usual.
As for Hungary itself, Pieter had colleagues there for decades so there was a strong bond.
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteherzlichen Dank für deinen schönen Post.
Sonnige Grüße
Elisabeth
Liebe Elisabeth,
DeleteDanke sehr, so kannst du auch mal mit reisen.
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - it looks as if you enjoyed a great second trip to Hungary. How long did the bus journey take from The Netherlands to your final destination.
ReplyDeleteLove that window highlighting the generosity of your country to all of those Hungarian children, and enjoyed the photo taken of you when the horse man planted his dusty old hat on your head.
Dearest Rosemary,
DeleteThe final destination of this 12-day trip was of course back again in Limburg, The Netherlands which is already close to the German border. It was a very luxurious way of traveling.
Yes, the window at the Palace about the generosity towards those Hungarian children is very special and so was having Imre as a guide, speaking still Dutch with pride.
That horse man acted so swift, it was fun and we sure enjoyed his show.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette. Looks like you had a wonderful second trip. I enjoyed seeing all these beautiful sceneries. Café Gerbeaud looks very lovely. Would love to sit at the table outside and have a cup of coffee :-) I also enjoyed your outfits. You look stunning in your red suit! And so charming in the Hungarian blouse :-) Snuffy is adorable. We see rabbit around our house from time to time, and my boys get very excited!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend, Mariette!
Dearest Tamago,
DeleteYes, sitting outside at Café Gerbeaud is always a great thing to do. Thank you about my outfits, still have most of it.
Our kitties indeed get excited when they spot a rabbit or other critter.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette! Beautiful memories;-)
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteYes, absolute beautiful and happy memories!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeletewonderful pictures and memoris, thank you for sharing!
Happy weekend to you,Love and hugs, Claudia xo
Dearest Claudia,
DeleteThank you and yes, those were very special memories for both of us!
Hugs,
Mariette
What an amazing trip you had...and look the pictures of you. Pretty and stylish as a model.
ReplyDeleteDearest Janey,
DeleteThank you for your kind words and compliment!
Hugs,
Mariette
Linda viagem. Amei conhecer essas cidades pelo seu olhar. Um dia quero conhecer esses lindos lugares.
ReplyDeleteObrigada pelo lindo passeio. São lembranças maravilhosas.
Bjos tenha uma ótima semana.
Dearest Anajá,
DeleteThank you and glad you enjoyed traveling along.
Stay tuned for a recent return to this beautiful country!
Hugs,
Mariette
I enjoyed every picture and every line you wrote.
ReplyDeleteDearest Katie Isabella,
DeleteThank you SO VERY MUCH!
Writing about something you truly have a passion for is always easier...
It is rewarding if someone enjoys it!
Hugs,
Mariette
Wat een mooi verslag weer...en zooo gedetailleerd,jemoet toc wel een erg goed geheugen heben, en dozen vol met bonnetjes etc. Heel gaaf voor jullie dat je op 'deze manier' de reizen weer een beetje herbeleefd.
ReplyDeleteBeste Marian,
DeleteNee hoor we hebben alles digitaal en natuurlijk wel van die tijd nog de leren dagboeken... Dàt helpt!
Het was een heel bijzondere reis samen, met name omdat we nog allebei goed gezond waren - dat besef je nu pas goed...
Liefs,
Mariette