Berlin to Budapest and Back!

Berlin to Budapest and Back!

Mom, Aunt Rhoda and Aunt Judy arrived in Berlin on the morning of March 14, 2008.  We spent the day touring various sights around Berlin.  We started with a visit to the Schloss Chatlottenburg where a Pilipino family seemed to think we were the coolest things since sliced bread and wanted various pictures.  After a traditional German lunch we headed to a Thai Massage.  Of course communication was lacking so what we thought was going to be a calm, oily massage turned into being placed in somewhat compromising positions such as the Indian (sorry no pictures of this). Well, after that there was only one thing to do, go to KaDeWe for dessert.  It was the right start for what would be a touring holiday filled with jokes and laughter.

For the next two days we were running around Berlin being inundated with historical facts and sights.  The Reichstag is the German parliament building.  The coolest thing about this building is the glass dome that sits on top.  As you walk the spiral ramp up the dome you have a marvelous view of Berlin and get to read tidbits about the city and its many revolutions.  At the Brandenburger Tor Tom was pulled into a street performance with an oversized marionette.  We got quite a laugh as the marionette was hugging and climbing all over Tom while Tom stood there not knowing what to do.

On our way to Potsdamer Platz and the Sony Center we strolled through the Holocaust Memorial.  The memorial spans for 205,000 square feet and consists of a field of concrete slabs to remember those Jews that were killed by Nazis between 1933 and 1945.   We had lunch with a few drinks and decided it was time to get on the tour bus and catch some of the signs from the road.  We passed by a bunch of interesting and important building that I am not going to list but the pictures are below, you will also see that Tom and my mom didn’t find the tour too interesting and decided to catch some shut eye.

On Monday we started our venture to Budapest!  We were hoping to land in sunny, warm Budapest but luck wasn’t on our side because it was cold and rainy with the occasional snow.  We went to the Red Post Wagon (don’t ask me the Hungarian name) for dinner and it was fabulous.  Or favorite part was the Napoleon cake dessert, which we returned for the next night as well!

Tuesday was the BIG sightseeing day!  We hit the pavement hard and walked up and down every hill in that city.   Some favorites were the Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion, House of Parliament, the Opera House and the City Market Hall.  Needless to say the next day everyone was in need of a small café to relax so that is what we did.  After visiting the City Park and riding the Metro we found a café and played cards while Aunt Judy hunted for new shoes for my mom.  Mom broke a heel in the City Park!  Once Judy found the perfect pair we headed to Margaret Island and rode the biggest bike I had ever been on.  Mom needed frequent reminders that she was in charge of the break while Tom forgot he was driving.  We were a serious hazard but all made it back safely!

Thursday we jumped the train to Eger.  Eger is known for its small town feel and for its wine cellars.   So we did just that.  We walked throughout the small town and had lunch in a charming little restaurant that had the best Garlic Soup.  After filling our belly’s we made the long march into the valley and into “Wine Cellar Country”.  We didn’t know how to ask for small tasting glasses so by the time we got to the third wine cellar we were all a little happier than before.  All liquored up we headed back to the hotel and took advantage of the sauna, pool and jacuzzi.   

Friday we left Eger, had a scuffle with the taxi driver in Budapest but arrived to the airport in one piece and landed in Berlin right on time.  Saturday the ladies picked up some souvenirs and gifts then they boarded their plane Sunday morning.  Family time was great and Budapest was a cool city with some of the prettiest building I have seen!

Enjoy the pictures!