It is time for the adventurous group to set out on own, and more importantly, to have to pay for our own food and drink! After a final breakfast, we checked out of our cabins and had the Viking staff hold our bags until we check into the Roombach Hotel.
We decided on two activities: a visit to the Gellert spa for Rick, Warren, Marilyn and me; and discovering the Buda side for Carl & Cheryl. Waking across the Chain bridge we took the tram along the Buda shore. Buying tickets was a challenge at the automated machine but we figured it out.
The Gellert spa was built in the late 18th century into the hills near the river. A thermal well was dug to access the hot mineral waters. The bathing pavilion is built in Baroque style with frescoes on the ceilings and mosaic and tiled walls. The change rooms are unisex and feature cabins for each person to change and store their valuables. We soaked in pools that were 36C and 40C both indoors and outdoors. We also tried the steam room and the 90C Finnish sauna. By mid morning, pools were becoming crowded. We left at 12:30 after 2 and half relaxing hours. Carl and Cheryl climbed to the top of the Buda hill and visited the church carved into the hill.
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| Marilyn outside the Gellert Spa |
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| Entrance to Gellert Hotel |
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| Stained glass in lobby |
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| Chapel in the Gellert hill |
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| View of Gellert Hill from the bridge |
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| Budapest market |
On the way back to the ship we crossed the Elizabeth bridge to the Pest side and had lunch on Vaci Utica at a sidewalk cafe. After a quick tram ride we retrieved our bags and left the Viking Legend for the nearby Roombach Hotel by taxi. After checking in, Marilyn and I set off to the nearby Bubbles laundromat to get some clean clothes for the last week. In the evening, we went to a local restaurant for an authentic Hungarian meal. The dropping temperatures and rain brought our streak of good weather to an end.
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