प्रकाशित भइल बा: 29.06.2016
Route: Gdansk-Warsaw-Budapest
The ninth day was not really spectacular. In the morning, I visited St. Bartholomew's Church, where the body of the famous astronomer Hevelius is buried. Afterwards, there was a visit to the largest market hall in Gdansk, the former largest mill in Poland (where there is now a supermarket) and the Museum of the Free City of Gdansk, which covers the period from 1920 to 1939, when Gdansk was neither Polish nor German, but independent.
Afterwards, I took the Intercity Premium train (which was not only premium comfortable but also premium expensive) to Warsaw and from there by night train to Budapest. It was the same night train that brought me from Prague to Warsaw two days ago; only this time I am sitting in a different carriage. I have been wondering for a long time what awaits me in Budapest. Will it be another huge tourist city like Prague, or more calm? I will find out at half past eight when my night train arrives in Budapest after 11.5 hours of travel.
The only thing I knew about Hungary was that it suffered from high inflation. Have you ever held a 10,000 note in your hand? It feels strange; you feel so rich. But 10,000 Forint is only about 35 Swiss Francs...
My first action in Budapest after arrival and shower was to buy a ticket for one of the famous Budapest baths. I already knew from the beginning that I wanted to visit one of the baths, as every traveler who has been to Budapest raved about them, my desire became even stronger. But first, I took another free walking tour. By now, I know that this is the best way to get a cheap and good overview of a city. The same option is offered for walking tours on communism and Jews; so my program for tomorrow is already known.
After the, as always interesting, walking tour, I went to the Gellert Baths, the second largest bath in Budapest. The bath was simply breathtaking and indescribable. I won't even try to describe it and let the pictures speak for themselves. But unfortunately, I didn't see the famous chess players playing in the thermal water.
Afterwards, I went to a craft brewery to drink a local lager beer and watch the soccer match.
I really like Budapest. The city is big, there is a lot to see, but it is by no means as touristy as Prague.