[AlanHo]

19/08/2017

We drove to Heathrow and stayed at the renaissance Hotel and had a room facing the airport runway at the Bath Road side of the airport. It was interesting to see the various planes land and take off. It was fortunate that the hotel has double-double glazing to mute the noise.

Our friend John was declared guest of the day when we checked in for which he was rewarded with a pass to use the executive lounge for himself and the others 3 in our party. We took full advantage and spent the evening enjoying the wine and nibbles having had our dinner at the Three Magpies Restaurant just a couple of hundred yards along the Bath Road. We also had a free breakfast in the lounge the following morning before we caught the Hopper bus to Terminal 3 where check-in was surprisingly quick without using the check-in kiosks.

20/08/2017

The flight of 2.5 hours was pleasant and we arrived at Budapest Airport at 18:15. Passage through immigration was really quick but the baggage took 40 minutes to arrive on the Carrousel. A coach took us to the ship but it was an eventful journey. As we reached the river the traffic was being diverted by the police because it was a national holiday, the city and river side was packed with people and the Barcelona terrorist attack 2 days ago had caused them to put Budapest on traffic lock-down. The holiday manager from the ship managed to negotiate dispensation from the police to let the coach through but it was 20.30 before we reached the ship.

The ship is splendid – we had a choice between using the ship’s restaurant or Bistro and decided on the Bistro where the evening meal was 5 star faultless. After the meal we went onto the top deck to watch the magnificent firework display over the river – a National holiday treat. The ship sailed at 23:00 bound for Esztergom which took us past the Parliament Building – a truly awesome floodlit sight.

[Dazzler]

Thanks for the Report Alan, sounds great.
I bet you are pleased how well that photo came up! 

[eye30]

Are you sure your name isn't alan whickerHo.

Thank for the update

[John B]

  Your description makes me feel like I am on a journey with you.   

[AlanHo]

21.08.17

The ship arrived at Esztergom at 07:00 and berthed alongside another river cruise ship. To access the dock we had to go to the top deck on our ship – walk across a gangway onto the top deck of the other ship and go down through its reception to use the docking walkway.  Most of the river cruise ships have their entry doors in the same position and they can be aligned to allow passengers to walk from one ship to another in order to embark or disembark. It was just our bad luck that we had to berth alongside a ship with a non-compatible layout.

The high spot in Esztergom is the Basilica which is the largest (catholic) church in Hungary.  It is 150 metres above the village and a steep climb to walk to. Fortunately, there was a small Noddy Road train arranged by the cruise company to take us old uns with medical conditions there and back.

The Basilica was quite impressive and there were splendid views of the town and river from its gardens.

We returned to the ship at 12:30 for a light lunch and relaxed in the lounge to chat, socialise with other passengers and enjoy afternoon gin and tonics. The ship sailed for Bratislava at 13:00 without us noticing. The river is fast flowing but so smooth.

[Dazzler]

Great photos and commentary again Alan. You guys look well. 

[CraigB]

Looks like a nice trip Alan, good photos

[The Gonz]

That's the most enjoyable posting I've read all night. Thank you, Alan.
Keep having fun!

[AlanHo]

I am going to have to add to this post after we get home. Internet on the ship is so slow it is impossible to post pictures. This post will probably take 3 minutes to send.

[Shambles]

This post will probably take 3 minutes to send.

Don't worry about it - we'll just read it slowly.

[asathorny]

This post will probably take 3 minutes to send.

Don't worry about it - we'll just read it slowly.

 hahahhhaaaaaa   

[Surferdude]

This post will probably take 3 minutes to send.

Don't worry about it - we'll just read it slowly.

Oh! Are you from Tasmania too? 

[Dazzler]

[eye30]

Send a postcard

[Lakes]

sorry I'm slow Alan alway's good to read your travel story's.
whats the food like over there. what temp's.

also you boy's stop having a go at tassie and go down for a visit, lovely place unspoilt.
that should be your next destination Alan, cruise ship to dazz's home port.

[andsome]

Thanks for the Report Alan, sounds great.
I bet you are pleased how well that photo came up! 

He bought the photo in the souvenir shop.

[AlanHo]

I took many photos during the cruise and had a long story to tell - so I compiled an article on our river cruise for the benefit of friends and family. There are only a few photos included – but more than I wanted to host and post individually

Here is the pdf link :-

Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online.

[CraigB]

Looks like a great trip Alan you deserve another break after doing an 18 page documentary

[neptune]

Looks like a great trip Alan you deserve another break after doing an 18 page documentary

I've just spent two months in America......I think I would be writing to Xmas.....

[CraigB]

Looks like a great trip Alan you deserve another break after doing an 18 page documentary

I've just spent two months in America......I think I would be writing to Xmas.....

If you did it with Alan's dedication it would, some happy snaps would be nice though if you get the time

[Dazzler]

Looks like a great trip Alan you deserve another break after doing an 18 page documentary

I've just spent two months in America......I think I would be writing to Xmas.....

If you did it with Alan's dedication it would, some happy snaps would be nice though if you get the time

What he said.

My Brother is doing a 6 or 7 week trip around Canada and the USA starting last Saturday.

[Dazzler]

I took many photos during the cruise and had a long story to tell - so I compiled an article on our river cruise for the benefit of friends and family. There are only a few photos included – but more than I wanted to host and post individually

Here is the pdf link :-

Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online.

Great way to archive your best photos and keep a momento of your trips Alan (and share them too) well  done!!!

[andsome]

21.08.17

The ship arrived at Esztergom at 07:00 and berthed alongside another river cruise ship. To access the dock we had to go to the top deck on our ship – walk across a gangway onto the top deck of the other ship and go down through its reception to use the docking walkway.  Most of the river cruise ships have their entry doors in the same position and they can be aligned to allow passengers to walk from one ship to another in order to embark or disembark. It was just our bad luck that we had to berth alongside a ship with a non-compatible layout.

The high spot in Esztergom is the Basilica which is the largest (catholic) church in Hungary.  It is 150 metres above the village and a steep climb to walk to. Fortunately, there was a small Noddy Road train arranged by the cruise company to take us old uns with medical conditions there and back.

The Basilica was quite impressive and there were splendid views of the town and river from its gardens.

We returned to the ship at 12:30 for a light lunch and relaxed in the lounge to chat, socialise with other passengers and enjoy afternoon gin and tonics. The ship sailed for Bratislava at 13:00 without us noticing. The river is fast flowing but so smooth.

Who's the ugly old geyser with that nice young lady?

[John B]

Brilliant Alan, thoroughly enjoyable old chap. When is the next adventure planned and where to ?  Curious to know if the photos were taken with your latest  small camera ?

[AlanHo]

I can confirm the pictures were taken with my relatively new camera.

Libby decided to leave her camera at home and use her Galaxy A3 phone. It drove her nuts - and has vowed never to do that again.  Like me she finds using a smartphone camera difficult. I can't hold it really steady and I often ruin a pic with a pink blob intruding in the left hand side of the pic. Guess what that is 
The zoom is purely digital and definition on high zoom is rubbish.

My Lumix TZ 60 is a fine camera with an excellent 30x zoom Leica lens. It is pocketable and has an electronic viewfinder which is useful in bright sunshine when the rear screen gets washed out.  I consider it is possibly the best camera you can get for approx. £200.

[John B]

That's great Alan, those photos are excellent . My camera is not in the same league as yours  ( Sony Cyber - Shot W830 ) but very convenient .  May put in an order for a Lumix TZ 60 for Christmas. 

[andsome]

I can confirm the pictures were taken with my relatively new camera.

Libby decided to leave her camera at home and use her Galaxy A3 phone. It drove her nuts - and has vowed never to do that again.  Like me she finds using a smartphone camera difficult. I can't hold it really steady and I often ruin a pic with a pink blob intruding in the left hand side of the pic. Guess what that is 
The zoom is purely digital and definition on high zoom is rubbish.

My Lumix TZ 60 is a fine camera with an excellent 30x zoom Leica lens. It is pocketable and has an electronic viewfinder which is useful in bright sunshine when the rear screen gets washed out.  I consider it is possibly the best camera you can get for approx. £200.

Excellent cameras.  I have the TZ70.