We took a walk down to the Museum of Ethnography. We had seen it on our bus trip and it fascinated us. On the way, in the crowd, MoD reached out and grabbed some guy. Turns out it was Rob – and of course Sally. I would have walked straight past. It’s a lot busier this Easter Saturday than it has been, people everywhere, mainly young, the crowd was a little overwhelming. Rob and Sal aren’t staying near us and had already done 5000 steps. Yes us older people count steps, means we can eat more cheese and drink more wine.

Had a chat to them before heading through the smoke billowing crowds. Europeans haven’t as yet caught on to the smoking is bad for you research. People smoke everywhere outside.

Today was the first day where the weather actually reflected what it said on our weather app. It was 18 heading to 24, and with the sun shining on us it certainly felt that which was lovely.

On our way we found some cute little out of the way places, like a flea market. And this guy…..with a matching wife….I didn’t snap a pic of her 😜

‘My Little Melbourne’ which I didn’t try. I was all Starbucked out.

We aren’t finding the people that polite. The guys we got to know on the boat, Johan, Petra and Dani, also Hungarian, were warm and kind. And not just because we were paying customers. Well probably Johan but Petra and Dani, that was their nature. We aren’t finding that in the streets or the shops. Not sure if it’s a language barrier or a culture thing. They don’t seem a happy culture and can be quite rude except for when they are driving a car. They always give way to pedestrians. Unlike Christchurch. Maybe it’s a history thing. Or maybe they just don’t get my Aussie sense of ‘uma.

The facade’s here are all magnificent. The buildings gorgeous. The Budapest guide (Andrea) had told us that there is a city law that if you build or renovate, 25% of the budget must be spent on the facade. There were 103 days of bombing here so renovation and rebuilds were significant.

The main road to the museum has four lanes, two each way. On each side, between each lane, are cobbled and hedged lanes. This was for the horses and carts. But it’s a fairly affluent area and it seems the richer people didn’t like the noise so they sent them underground. Not sure if this is now the Metro train tunnel.

Finally got to the museum. I didn’t need to go in, I just wanted to wander around it. Turns out we did go in, because we mistakenly went in the cafe entrance, which was open. Hence we bypassed the ticket office. Whoops. Then a second whoops by using the toilets. Of course we didn’t have a coin but a kind Italian man let us through with his ticket. You have to pay for toilets throughout Europe. Many of the public toilets which are located either underground or in malls have a toilet ‘wench’ on guard. They have their little mobile offices set up with all their personal bits and pieces and live in there during the day. I call gross on that one but hey, you have to earn a living.

But back to the museum. Spectacular that it is.

Formerly a car park, the building is one of Europes most modern ethnographic museums, having won a number of awards. Designed by Hungarian Napur Architects, Marcel Ferencz as the lead, the building resembles two entwined hillsides and is partially underground and partially above. The facade is decorated with almost half a million pixels, contemporary adaptations of twenty Hungarian and twenty international ethnographic motifs. Inside is an exhibition of more than 4000 artefacts along with interactive displays of Budapest. You can pick up an ipad and point it at the direction of the models, it gives you the full details of the area. For instance from that, we found the Gallert Baths (on the list to visit today) and also found out there are two adventure dog parks in Budapest. The Princess would be in dog heaven.

There is a roof garden of more then 7000 square metres which is completely open for all public to walk and enjoy. The views were incredible. The whole building was fascinating.

Inside there were stairs up and down taking you to different places within the building, disorientating you when you stepped outside and found you were actually at the top in the garden, or perhaps below on the ground level in a totally different entrance/exit than you come through originally. That might have been the cafe for us.

And really fascinating Diptych pictures – two pictures in one image. I had never seen these types of images before. From one side you can see what was in the space originally, from the other you can see what it has become. The first two pictures are the Museum of Ethnography 2017-2022, the second two are the House of Music, 2017-2022. Both clearly constructed at the same time.

After that we had a wander through the significant green spaces which surround the museum.

And then it was a walk back into town to give our feet a rest before stepping out for the afternoon adventure.

More photos of course, including this little local market which you wouldn’t even know was there.

And this reverse parking, just for you Mark A.

First afternoon stop, Hungarian Parliament. The third biggest Parliament in the world, it took 17 years and 1000 workers to build. One month before the official opening the Architect passed away so never got to see the end result. After the city bombings it took 18 years to rebuild. The interior includes 42kg of 4 carat gold. They don’t do anything small here.

Outside Parliament, on the steps looking down to the Danube, is this amazing statue of poet Attila József.

When we arrived a man was taking a photo of his wife/partner. That took about 30 seconds. We then had to wait ten minutes for her to move so we could get a picture. Without her in it. She was playing with her phone. See. Rude.

The Hungarian Parliament is an amazing building.

Across the street from the front entrance is the Kossuth Memorial with a perpetual flame.

On the way back to the hotel we swung by Liberty Park to take a photo of MoD in front of (Neutron) Ron. Ronald Reagan. Apparently his bro and his NZ boyfriends had declared the previous photo would never do as he had long pants on. And they hadn’t recognised him. So here it is.

Added bonus fountain picture.

Both Ronald Reagan and George W Bush have statues at Liberty Park due to them both supporting Hungary’s quest for freedom.

Given we had done nearly 22,000 steps by then, there was only one thing to do before dinner. And it wasn’t the Gallert Baths. We ditched that. More important things in the pipeline.

Chimney Cake!

This time one each. Hell we deserved it. And hey, I don’t usually share my food anyway. Oink 🐷

Then it was back to the central city for a beautiful Italian dinner, pack up all of our goods and an early night in.

Tomorrow morning it’s a 3.45am start to fly to London via Ryan Air.

Now that will be interesting.

Night folks.