Aug 27 2025

What does one do when it’s 30 degrees in Budapest? Why go for a swim at the Olympic Pool of course. 

We arrived  via overnight train from Krakow. Fortunately our hotel let us check in early and so we were able to freshen up a bit. 

We set out on foot, mindful that Lori had developed a bit of tendonitis from dashing through the Salt Mine. We walked by the architecturally distinctive synagogue, the largest in Europe, built in the Moorish revival style. Our first target was the  Budapest market hall, equally as architecturally impressive. Also impressive was the range of produce. Having purchased some much needed fruit we went in search of coffee as the first meagre offering of the day provided as the train pulled into Budapest had not sufficed. 

The Cafe Lisboa, chosen to honour Lori’s affection, fit the bill, with additional pistachio heaven in the form of yet another pistachio croissant. 

Next was the underground transit museum. Initially a little hard to find as it was, erm, underground. Also initially a little hard to get into as it accepted only cash. Rather odd given how efficient and non-cash oriented the transit system is. 

For those who need to know Budapest had the first underground railway outside of London. 

The day was already heating up so it was off to the Olympic pool to swim and sit in the shade for a bit. 33m made the distance calculation somewhat tricky.

Rejuvenated we decide to head to the Fisherman’s Bastion so that we (OK I) could follow up on the tip to sit in the Terrace Restaurant to enjoy a beer and some goulash. To also help rehydrate and resalinate after the swim. 

Lori took her zoom meeting in a shaded alcove while I wandered a little. 

It was then down the Schulek Staircase, back to the river so we could bus back to the hotel. By then it was quite hot and the bus was very full. Thus the AC failed to keep up.

Thus the need for a shower before our Intrepid Group meeting at 6.  7 of us in total including the guide. The others were all Australians (except our Bulgarian guide Mihail) and all far more travelled than us. 

Dinner was at the guide booked restaurant of Vakvarju Paula. Cute decor and merch but the food was a little disappointing. Especially compared to the Georgian meal the night before.