Dec 11 - Sailing and Arrival in Budapest

Dec 11: When we woke, we are headed on our way back to Budapest. Even though things are gray and the trees have no leaves. it's still pretty in its own way. We are due to arrive in Budapest just after lunch. We dined in the Riverview Bistro and arrived in Budapest while eating. We zipped up to the sun deck, of course there's no sun, and walked around for just a little bit because we didn't have our coats or anything. It is cold!

It is interesting today the kids are very talkative to us and friendly. I did ask everyone about dinner, but no one committed. We were fine eating by ourselves. Our new acquaintance, Marie seems to find us everywhere we go. She is very, very talkative. She lost her husband four years ago but she continues to travel and enjoy life by herself. She is very sweet but a bit exshausting with the none-stop talking. She has befriended us, also Taylor, Gretchen, and Wendy. She ate dinner with the three of them. Dinner was in the dining room, and it was probably the driest, toughest, Wiener Schnitzel I've ever had. Everyone volunteered that same information. What a shame. 

After dinner it was up to the lounge and playing cards until about eleven. We do need to get up early and pack and try to make time for breakfast tomorrow morning. The kids played a card game at the table next to us but again they were friendly.

Dec 10 Vienna, Austria

Dec 10: I'm not feeling especially well today and I wanted to stay on board near a restroom! We got up too late for breakfast. We had coffee in the lounge and played some cards. We were docked between two different ships and at one point, one ship moved, then we moved, and it took our place. Now we're the third docked ship out from the sidewalk. We were eager for lunch since we had no breakfast. I was happy to see potato salad on the menu and we also split a BLT sandwich. We played another card game, and then I took a little rest, and Stuart worked on his laptop.

Gala dinner is tonight. We invited everyone to join us. Gretchen, Wendy, and Taylor joined us. The kids said they were going to the Christmas Markets for dinner, but in fact, they sat on the other side of the dining room.

After dinner we had a small concert onboard. It was very good and we really enjoyed it. Our companions are tired and went to bed. We stayed up playing cards and listening to the piano player until they closed up at midnight.

Dec 09 - Bratislava, Slovakia

Dec 09: Today is Jayden's 6th birthday. I did a little video and sent it to him. We did a little walk around the decks but stayed on board as we are both tired. It is gloomy, gray, and foggy.  In addition, we have been here before! We ate in the Bistro again. This time we tried the fish and chips and it was not very good. It was frozen fish fillets, like you get in the freezer section at the grocery store. If we go there again, we'll get the pizza! Today they had Ghulwein in the bar. For 50 cents, you could add a shot of gin. That was tasty and it cuts down the sweetness as well. Dinner was very good and we ate just the two of us. 

Later we met Taylor, Gretchen, and Wendy for the music trivia. It was challenging because there were three different portions to every question. However, it was a lot of fun too! Off to bed after that!

Dec 8 - Budapest, Hungary to Bratislava, Slovakia

Dec 08: Today we didn't really sleep in. Stuart went to the orientation this morning while I took a shower. We sent a few things to the laundry, it is very expensive. We are spoiled on Holland America! We took a short walk over to the market we visited in 2023. It was just as lovely as before. The place is very crowded and teeming with excitement from all the shoppers, especially during the holiday season. We went upstairs and had a Ghulwein in the same restaurant where we ate in July  2023. It is still very brisk today. Back to the ship for lunch in the Riverview Bistro lunch. We each had a small soup and a burger we could not finish.  After lunch we slipped our moorings and headed to Bratislava, Slovakia. This afternoon we spent most of the time in the lounge. The views leaving were lovely. I couldn't get a good Chain Bridge photo but found one on the internet. There was a port lecture about Bratislava, we visited with friends, had a fancy tea time with champagne, and we had the Captain's welcome drink just before dinner.

Tonight we are having dinner in this same venue where we had lunch. We invited everyone but Deb said they were doing their own thing. Stuart, Gretchen, Wendy, Taylor, and I had a nice dinner together. Later the kids all came in but sat across the room. When Stuart walked over to greet them, Sierra actually rolled her eyes, turned away from him. I am embarrassed by her behavior. Anyway it was a nice dinner. We listened to the piano player for a little while, then on to bed as we are tired.

Dec 7 - Budapest and Boarding William Wordsworth

Dec 07: Today, at breakfast we saw Taylor and he is apparently been in the same hotel the whole time we have been here. We shared an Uber to the boat. It was quite foggy, damp, and cool this morning. The Uber dropped us off across from a market we'd been to in 2023. It was a short walk to the ship. There were all sorts of people still on the boat from the last cruise. Some leaving as late as three thirty or five thirty. A light lunch was provided for them and they included us as well. That lunch was a salad bar, dessert, breads, spaghetti, lentil soup, and grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. It was plenty. Stuart and I played Phase 10 most of the afternoon. Taylor joined us for a little bit. Then when his room was ready, he left and took a nap. About 4:30p Gretchen and Wendy arrived. Wendy seems very nice and it was great to see Gretchen after 3+ years. We enjoyed visiting and catching up. We had a few drinks and listened to the piano player. I tried to set up a table for 9 for dinner, but Deb, Sam, Sierra, and Matt didn't want to join us. We had a nice dinner with Wendy, Gretchen and Taylor. There was a welcome drink in the lounge at 9:15p. 

Dec 06 - Budapest, Hungary

Dec 06:  Up and downstairs for breakfast. We were a little later that usual, they stop serving at 10a. When Stuart went to refill our champagneand she told us to ust take the bottle to our table! We don't want it all because today we have a Chimney Cake class at 1p. I am treating everyone for a family event. 

We went downstairs in the bakery to attend the class. She had the dough already made up so we just did the kneading and shaping of the dough to put on the cylinder. Then she put them in an oven to bake. It rotated the cakes until they were done. After that you dipped it in whatever coating you wanted. Toppings were vanilla, walnut, coconut, and cinnamon. She left my first one in too long and it was burnt, no worries because we had enough to eat and take home.

After the class I offered stopping for a drink. They seemed to want to so we walked just a short way to find a place that would accommodate 6. It was called Urban Beytar. We had some and festive drinks with a meat and cheese platter as well. Stuart and I got an Uber back to our hotel and they all went to another market or something. We had a G&T in the hotel bar and then up to our room for cards and bedtime. I will add, this is a really warm, sunny day here! I think up to 50F.

Dec 05 Budapest

Dec 05: I woke early and grabbed a shower and shampoo, my best effort. There is not a lot of soap here and a shortcoming of tissues. Otherwise I love this little hotel. Breakfast was delicious with a few different things to try like veal liverwurst. The restaurant is downstairs.

Looks like a 1920s's underground speakeasy! Charming in so many ways. Stuart had things to do on his computer. By the time my hair was dry, we took off for a lunch/dinner and then to a grocery store. Not a lot of energy today so we stayed in. It is also sprinkling. No responses from Debra, but I guess they got off all right and they are in Zurich by now for their layover. Upon return, we had a gin and tonic in the hotel bar. We played Phase Ten in our room before bed.