Romania to Hungary
QUICK TRIP .. ROMANIA
After debating whether to travel through Serbia or Romania to get to Budapest.. the more exotic route was chosen. (Dad and I have always been keen to see this mountainous, scenic Dracula country.) Of course, we were worried about the safety issues in Romania so always knew this would be a quick drive through. After not being able to renew our car insurance at the Bulgarian or Romanian border!!!! (perhaps because they are newly-joined EU members) ...we realised this route through Romania was indeed going to be a 'quick trip' - 1 day to be exact!!! We had to be at the Hungarian border to renew our insurance by the 31st May.
So, we drove into Romania the afternoon of the 30th may... and unfortunately have not much to write about Romania.. not that we did the country justice nor were any of us in a good mood. The roads were shocking and mostly under repair! What was a 300km drive took us about 6 hours!!! All in all - a terrible trip marked by a nice little argument when Walle did a little bit of a "I told you so - you should have listened to me". We had out-voted him when we decided to drive only 100 km before stopping for the night.. with the thought that the 300km the next day wouldn't take us so long. Liza unfortunately didn't help the situation by letting Walle know that she thought such comments were negative and completely unnecessary. Walle didn't let up.. Wohoo - big barny no. 1
Arriving at the Hungarian border... another 'hair-pulling-out' episode occurred. No! We were not able to renew our Green Card insurance. So we drove into Hungary with no insurance and a moody black cloud following us.
HUNGARY
What a lovely little town we drove into. Szeged! Ahhh - just what we need to help us all be a little more positive about things. The country side drive into this university town was lovely and the cafe squares and 'feel' was perfect. Walle's brilliant accommodation-hunting and bargaining found us a great spot to unwind and rejuvenate for a day or two.
BUDAPEST
Budapest.. Budapest.. Budapest! What a city! ..especially at night! We were all impressed with the erratically positioned elegant / gothic buildings that would face us when we turned a corner. Then, by night, the city was simply stunning! Hilly Buda side looking across the river Danube to the Pest side - makes one inhale very deeply with eyes of appreciation. Budapest also had so much to offer all of us (with our different interests) that we actually ended up staying a wee longer. (Mind you - Liza spent a day and a half sorting out a Green Card.. for a wonderful bargain-basement price of 245 Euro for 1 month!!! - yes, please note my last sentence is tainted heavily with sarcasm!)
From here, Dad decided to take a boat cruise along the Blue Danube to Vienna for a day or 2. Text messages from him suggest he was even more impressed and awed by this city. He came back with a most classic t-shirt. On the front was a picture of the usual Aussie kangaroo road sign with text that says "No kangaroos in Austria". On first glance, you read 'Austria' as 'Australia'. Nice work, Dad. :)
However, times were a-changing. Unfortunately, we were to lose one of our travelling buddies. Yes, Fred! His part of the road trip was over. His presence was required back in France for a wedding.. with the following month being planned as a popping around the French country side catching up with family and friends, probably drinking French champagne as he goes. (Hard life that he has.) So Liza bravely wiped the tears from her eyes and controlled an emotional bawling episode on a quiet Budapest street as she said good-bye to her mon cheri. (Ahhhh - doesn't it sound all so touching. Believable??)
LAKE BALATON
Liza then travelled forth by herself. Dad was still in Vienna and Walle stayed on in Budapest for a couple of days. Lake Balaton! What a relaxing spot (and didn't I need some pondering time). Lake Balaton is reportedly the largest freshwater lake outside Scandinavia. Has some brilliant camping spots - super organised.. more like camping 'cities'!! ..complete with convenience store, several pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, boutique stores, sports galore etc etc. Liza decided to cycle around a nearby peninsula and after 15-20 km, 3 hours, a lunch / coffee break.. I realised how unfit I was!!! Needless to say, my saddle-sore bum and bow-legged walk the next day was proof of this all!
BADASCONY
Liza picked Dad and Walle up from the train station and we moved on to another town. At this point, however, it must be said that Liza and Walle had another barny / argument. Yes, it was over a very small matter and, as per most arguments, was based on a mis-understanding / mis-information. Disappointing really - since I believe we should all be able to discuss things without people needing to raise their voice, getting explosive / angry. Dad felt very uncomfortable and I felt horrible. Never have I argued so much with someone in the space of 1 week. I surprised myself - I was actually feeling very down for about 2 days, not even a phone call from Fred could really cheer me up. Another minor temperamental moment with Walle and I decided that either I need to talk with Walle ..or I will need to leave Dad and Walle to finish the trip on their own. I cannot let a negative situation breed more negativity and influence me so much to be so down / depressed. At the same time, I can't pretend everything is fine when it's not. And most of all, I don't believe one person's (negative) actions should influence everyone else to change and tiptoe around them.
Blah, blah, blah... (What a vent! Sorry, for the emotional monologue above... but, well, I don't think I've been this influenced in a long long time!) I guess, the dark, moody cloud that began with us in Hungary was certainly joining us on our departure.
However, let's not end this travel update on a down-note! It must be said that Badascony was indeed superb! A stroll through the cobble-stoned lively village centre with people from everywhere clearly enjoying themselves was a great! Then if the whole atmosphere of the town wasn't enough... the walk up the nearby hills to the several wineries was simply perfect! The view down over the vineyards and green fields to the lake, boats and villages on the other side was absolutely picturesque!! A lovely little spot rated by all 3 of us!
Slovenia here we come!
After debating whether to travel through Serbia or Romania to get to Budapest.. the more exotic route was chosen. (Dad and I have always been keen to see this mountainous, scenic Dracula country.) Of course, we were worried about the safety issues in Romania so always knew this would be a quick drive through. After not being able to renew our car insurance at the Bulgarian or Romanian border!!!! (perhaps because they are newly-joined EU members) ...we realised this route through Romania was indeed going to be a 'quick trip' - 1 day to be exact!!! We had to be at the Hungarian border to renew our insurance by the 31st May.
So, we drove into Romania the afternoon of the 30th may... and unfortunately have not much to write about Romania.. not that we did the country justice nor were any of us in a good mood. The roads were shocking and mostly under repair! What was a 300km drive took us about 6 hours!!! All in all - a terrible trip marked by a nice little argument when Walle did a little bit of a "I told you so - you should have listened to me". We had out-voted him when we decided to drive only 100 km before stopping for the night.. with the thought that the 300km the next day wouldn't take us so long. Liza unfortunately didn't help the situation by letting Walle know that she thought such comments were negative and completely unnecessary. Walle didn't let up.. Wohoo - big barny no. 1
Arriving at the Hungarian border... another 'hair-pulling-out' episode occurred. No! We were not able to renew our Green Card insurance. So we drove into Hungary with no insurance and a moody black cloud following us.
HUNGARY
What a lovely little town we drove into. Szeged! Ahhh - just what we need to help us all be a little more positive about things. The country side drive into this university town was lovely and the cafe squares and 'feel' was perfect. Walle's brilliant accommodation-hunting and bargaining found us a great spot to unwind and rejuvenate for a day or two.
BUDAPEST
Budapest.. Budapest.. Budapest! What a city! ..especially at night! We were all impressed with the erratically positioned elegant / gothic buildings that would face us when we turned a corner. Then, by night, the city was simply stunning! Hilly Buda side looking across the river Danube to the Pest side - makes one inhale very deeply with eyes of appreciation. Budapest also had so much to offer all of us (with our different interests) that we actually ended up staying a wee longer. (Mind you - Liza spent a day and a half sorting out a Green Card.. for a wonderful bargain-basement price of 245 Euro for 1 month!!! - yes, please note my last sentence is tainted heavily with sarcasm!)
From here, Dad decided to take a boat cruise along the Blue Danube to Vienna for a day or 2. Text messages from him suggest he was even more impressed and awed by this city. He came back with a most classic t-shirt. On the front was a picture of the usual Aussie kangaroo road sign with text that says "No kangaroos in Austria". On first glance, you read 'Austria' as 'Australia'. Nice work, Dad. :)
However, times were a-changing. Unfortunately, we were to lose one of our travelling buddies. Yes, Fred! His part of the road trip was over. His presence was required back in France for a wedding.. with the following month being planned as a popping around the French country side catching up with family and friends, probably drinking French champagne as he goes. (Hard life that he has.) So Liza bravely wiped the tears from her eyes and controlled an emotional bawling episode on a quiet Budapest street as she said good-bye to her mon cheri. (Ahhhh - doesn't it sound all so touching. Believable??)
LAKE BALATON
Liza then travelled forth by herself. Dad was still in Vienna and Walle stayed on in Budapest for a couple of days. Lake Balaton! What a relaxing spot (and didn't I need some pondering time). Lake Balaton is reportedly the largest freshwater lake outside Scandinavia. Has some brilliant camping spots - super organised.. more like camping 'cities'!! ..complete with convenience store, several pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, boutique stores, sports galore etc etc. Liza decided to cycle around a nearby peninsula and after 15-20 km, 3 hours, a lunch / coffee break.. I realised how unfit I was!!! Needless to say, my saddle-sore bum and bow-legged walk the next day was proof of this all!
BADASCONY
Liza picked Dad and Walle up from the train station and we moved on to another town. At this point, however, it must be said that Liza and Walle had another barny / argument. Yes, it was over a very small matter and, as per most arguments, was based on a mis-understanding / mis-information. Disappointing really - since I believe we should all be able to discuss things without people needing to raise their voice, getting explosive / angry. Dad felt very uncomfortable and I felt horrible. Never have I argued so much with someone in the space of 1 week. I surprised myself - I was actually feeling very down for about 2 days, not even a phone call from Fred could really cheer me up. Another minor temperamental moment with Walle and I decided that either I need to talk with Walle ..or I will need to leave Dad and Walle to finish the trip on their own. I cannot let a negative situation breed more negativity and influence me so much to be so down / depressed. At the same time, I can't pretend everything is fine when it's not. And most of all, I don't believe one person's (negative) actions should influence everyone else to change and tiptoe around them.
Blah, blah, blah... (What a vent! Sorry, for the emotional monologue above... but, well, I don't think I've been this influenced in a long long time!) I guess, the dark, moody cloud that began with us in Hungary was certainly joining us on our departure.
However, let's not end this travel update on a down-note! It must be said that Badascony was indeed superb! A stroll through the cobble-stoned lively village centre with people from everywhere clearly enjoying themselves was a great! Then if the whole atmosphere of the town wasn't enough... the walk up the nearby hills to the several wineries was simply perfect! The view down over the vineyards and green fields to the lake, boats and villages on the other side was absolutely picturesque!! A lovely little spot rated by all 3 of us!
Slovenia here we come!
2007-06-14 08:29:37 GMT
