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.