We took our time getting up today as we were to leave the hotel at 1100 to be taken to our boat. After breakfast we (Lyn) finished packing then we hung around in the room for a short while before heading down to the lobby to check-out. The hotel was great and centrally located, if your ever looking for a place to stay in Budapest check out the Barceló Budapest.
The lobby was pretty full of guests waiting for the cruise transport (this was the hotel that Emerald uses for their guests who arrive ahead of the cruise). We met up with a couple from New Zealand and spent our waiting time talking to them. We finally got onto the minivan around 1200.
It was a 20 minute trip to the boat conducted at high speed in the minivan towing a trailer with our baggage. Once on board we were given a welcome drink and invited to go to the lounge for lunch and drinks until our cabin was ready. We stayed with NZ couple and time flew by. They went off on a tour of the Buda Hill area where we had visited yesterday. We also met up with an Australian couple while waiting around. So far it seems the boat comprises Australians, Brits, Canadians and New Zealanders.
Around 1330 we went down to reception to check in, and were shown to our cabin. We were pleasantly surprised at the space there was. The cabin was only 180 sq feet, but there was plenty of room to store everything. One complete wall was glass window looking out over the river, horizontally across the middle of the glass was a wooden handrail, and the top part of the window could be lowered at the touch of a switch. This gave the effect of us having a balcony, but also allowed the balcony floor space to be part of the cabin. Very ingenious!
This was going to be a no picture blog as not too much of interest happened, however plans changed as the water level on the river is a little low and the boat had to move away from Budapest to avoid grounding! We are now sailing about 40km north to a safe mooring area, which means we had a great night view of the city from the river. Below are some of those pictures.
I’ll just post them as eye candy as you have seen the daylight views of most of these sights plus I am having problem adjusting to the local wine!!
