Budapest

Had the shortest hotel stay ever in Budapest as we arrived at 1:00am and left at 10:00am. Following the blinking blue dot of my G Map app, we walked the 2.5 km through the city to find the ponton 2 where our ship was docked. Luckily we could hand over our suitcases, freeing us for some exploring before the official commencement of our cruise.

The boys in my grade wanted a picture of Hungry Jack's in Hungary, but this was the best that I could find for them!

Hungary is known for its 600 hot springs. These springs have been tapped into for centuries and there are many public baths dotted through Budapest. This one, the Gellert Spa, had a number of indoor 

and outdoor pools to choose from. It was a rabbit warren inside and quite a feat to find the correct change rooms for your gender! There is a system of hiring private change boxes which was confusing, as well as lockers which you could activate using your wrist band watch pass.This

 indoor pool was cool.

This

 outdoor pool was also cool and we found out why the sides were so steep after walking away for a hot pool. Suddenly the waves started and the  males played enthusiastically while the women moved away!

Drying ourselves with only a diver's chammy towel, we left the spa and crossed the road to begin the marathon climb to the top of this hill, where a statue and a view over the river and the Pest side awaited.

Yours

 truly recovering from the climb!

The view, 

as you can see, was worth the climb and we finally saw a touch if blue sky.

This statue was lower down the hill and is of a religious 

leader who became a martyr when he was thrown in the river in a barrel.

From 

the road, looking up to the statue.

Feeling rather tired by now we headed back to the ship and officially checked in. We were not disappointed with our accommodation...it was lovely. The ship was only launched in May 2014 so hasn't made many voyages. By the time dinner was called I was ravenous as they had not record of my dietary needs (thanks Flight Centre) and so there was nothing for me to eat. We booked into the fine dining room as, being the first night, no-one else had and there were vacancies. The maître d insisted that I would be catered for and he wasn't wrong. The meal was to die for, with various courses  exquisitely presented and accompanied by well selected wines. I can cope with this!!