Buda

Buda is the fairyland part of the city.

We only saw clean, spotless streets and lanes, castles, towers, tourists, pretty souvenirs and gardens.

As mentioned, the richer section of her people reside here and it is known for its expensive tastes and residential places.

So, tourists from all over the world come here to experience good feelings and the place truly connotes "holiday".

This is the summarized land area of Budapest.

 The breathtaking Matthias Church with its colored majolica tiles was the venue for the coronation of many Hungarian monarchs. Needless to say, the inside must be richly decorated with works of best art. We were however not given a chance to go in. Come to think of it, I wonder why?

Anyway, by this time we have seen enough of churches and castles and how different can they be? Similar architecture from similar periods of history?

Several angles of the church taken to be kept for memory.

The lanes are charming and neat.

It's a fairy land.

Local handmade clothes and souvenirs are very expensive; tourists' price.

I would rather go to a local market place for this purpose.

Dressed in Hungarian style, these ladies added charisma to the place.

They are so pretty.

This another square I guess. Tourists are everywhere and every place looked popular so much so one can hardly recognise where one is.

I have forgotten its name.

 Needless to say again; this must be some form of wish tree for love birds.

It must be. Only those in love would bother about such expressions of love.

They would go to great lengths to attract their lover's attention; little knowing that it is only a fairy tale.

These are some other shots along the side lanes; so quaint and enchanting.

A square again showing monuments of heroes.

This is a view from Fishermen's Bastion. You can see Pest from here too.

Panoramic. 

Later, we will see some of Pest.

Budapest

Buda -Pest

The tour guide insisted that we articulate it as Buda-Pesh.

It sounds better if not called a pest all the time.

If I were to be given a choice to revisit any city along this cruise it would be Budapest.

This time it will be only Budapest for a few days.

Beautiful Danube splits the city into 2.

Buda on the Western Bank is the hilly part with panoramic landscape and the wealthier section of the city.

Buda holds the imperial feelings and everything rich and royal.

The grand Hapsburg Palace and the Fisherman's Bastion on castle Hill are thronged with tourists in the day.

Buda by night is magical.

Pest on its Eastern Bank, as flat as a prairie is home to a hive of activities and assorted bars, restaurants and hotels.

When Buda sleeps in the night, Pest becomes alive with songs, music and beer.

 When our vessel approached the city, our hearts and spirits were uplifted.

Perhaps we made a good decision to stay another night in the city while most of the rest left for home. 

The Chain Bridge was the first permanent stone bridge connecting Buda and Pest and is the second permanent crossing along the whole length of Danube.

Liberty Bridge is a public road bridge connecting Buda and Pest. From the Inter Continental Hotel it looked very tempting. Dad made me walk across with him in the hot afternoon sun. He said we did not come to Budapest to sleep in the cool, cozy hotel. So, I had to trudge across dutifully ; this time with an umbrella. It was just too stressful to walk without one and I don't care if it is an Asian way. I am truly Asian. He said he needed to feel the place by crossing it.

There are many other bridges in Budapest.

The 2 above must be some of the main ones.

Later, I show you more of Budapest.

Vienna

Cruising along the Wachau Valley into Vienna was a scenic experience.

 Flanked on both banks are acres of vine yards growing grapes for the wine industry. 

The cool breeze accompanying us allowed us to relax without a worry in our minds.
It was as if life could be simple indeed. No worries; for a while.

Slapped in between the landscape are castle-like buildings belonging to times of old but today has become important land marks.

I wonder what is the building being used for today. Hotel? Residence? B & B? or is it under state protection?

The cruise director opined that if there was a place he would pick to stay in Europe, it is Vienna.

Vienna is chic, modern and happening. People, buildings and culture are poised and up beat.

The city is under major construction and expanding. 

However, we were told that it is a very expensive city.

The building at the extreme left is a public swimming pool. 

But it did not seem to receive any good response.

Vienna has many theaters ; it being an arts and culture rich city. There is music, play and dance at almost every corner of the city. Every artiste is inspired to reach for the sky. If you happen to further your studies in this city in the field of arts, you will probably grab the maximum out of it before you leave for home. 

While being given a guided tour around the city we saw a wall of paintings of many modes and designs. Inspired works.

Our tour guide, a Jewish surgeon told us that after he retired he thought it would be good to be tourism ambassador for his country. Therefore this land mark above is a reminder of the cruel act of the Nazis in Austria. This was the spot where the former building was burnt to ground zero killing 400 children. Today he relates this sad incident to all he guides around the city.

I believe this must be the town hall. Beside it is a square which comes to life during Christmas.
So baroque in style.

This is a horse riding training ground. Apparently the elite come here for this purpose.

St Peter's Cathedral; a famous landmark here.

Again it connotes the Christian faith being practised here.

The monument here is supposedly the statue of a husband to a famous person; but I have forgotten the name. He must have been known for some acts. I do not remember.

This is a building of the famous being buried slapped in the middle of the city.

St Stephen's Cathedral is a must visit. Everyone who visits Vienna will make it a point to go in.

The interior of the Cathedral is as majestic as can be depicting architecture and fine works .

In the city again are landmarks worth seeing. A beautiful city with its innate qualities.

The market where both local and foreign shoppers look for both wet and dry products.

This another castle? church? The old in the midst of the new but all so courtly and dignified.

Yes, you have free drinking water.

A refreshing change from other European cities.

Shopping haven in Vienna. But alas, it was a Sunday and nothing was open saving husbands money.

Karntnerstrabe -the pedestrian street is one of the main traditional shopping streets of  Vienna.

Even on a Sunday when shops are not open, the crowd is there. It's a carnival-like feeling; surreal too. Life is just too good and beautiful.

Later in the afternoon, we went to Schonbrunn Palace, a summer Imperial Palace where East meets West. You can name all the nationalities in the world. Everyone must see the palace.

The site of 1441 rooms of Baroque style, Schronbunn Palace houses significant cultural, architectural and historical monuments reflecting the history of the time.

This queen , Empress Maria Theresa received the estate as a wedding gift. The guide showed us family photos of the royal family and being the mother of 13 children, Empress Maria Theresa was truly the matriarch who ruled the land. In the palace, there were just so much to see and history to be told; half of which I cannot remember. Wikipedia will do the trick. 

The garden in the Summer Palace is a splendor of roses. I seldom have the privilege of seeing roses being grown is this mass. Roses so freely and wildly grown.

The arch in the garden covered so prettily with beautiful roses.

The Roman Ruins at the background is so majestic looking integrated into parkland surroundings.

Freedom !

Vienna, known as the "City of Music" inspired the creative works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Every aspiring musician also loves to have a stint at the art culture here. On an evening, we were given a choice to hear a concert performance ; live music.

Outside Albertina Concert Hall. 

It was a first experience and to be kept for memory.

The evening was warm and the surroundings were well lit. Happy to be here.

Of course, the strings and wind instrument players were excellent for my ears only. I do not know what the experts think.

Yes, dad enjoyed every moment. 

I observed movements which he did not.

 He truly enjoyed the music. I enjoyed the dance and movements.

At the end, we are thankful for the experience at the hall here.

Bye Vienna.