I know it has been a good while since I have posted anything so I thought I would get you more or less up to date.
We left Vienna and took the train to Trieste Italy and then took the bus to Rijeka Croatia. The view out the bus as the sun set on Adriatic was epic.
We spent the night in Rijeka then took the train to Split Croatia. A little bit of a bump on the trip... we had to change trains at Ostarije and there was literally NOTHING there. The station consisted of a single room with a wood stove...
But we still enjoyed it as much as we could.
The place we stayed was about 15 min walking distance from Diocletian's Palace and the port. People just live there. Its a roman vacation/retirement palace and people just live there. Kinda blows my mind honestly but people gotta have a place to live.
It was really pretty, and the weather cooperated so we got warmish clear weather.
Not exactly what you think when you think "Croatia" is it?
We also got to sample some of the local delicacies
After spending some wonderful time in Croatia, we took the train north to Budapest Hungary. Stayed in a grand hotel (just kidding..) but we did get to enjoy one of our favorite cities so far.
The parliament building was gorgeous. there was some sort of protest going on that involved a large group of people singing, whatever the protest was, it certainly would be successfully due to their singing... yikes y'all.
It was really windy too. we were trying to figure out where to go, and the wind kindly held this map against a tree for several minutes while we planned our route. (our hair would beg to differ on the benefits of the wind...)
Walking along the Danube they have a chilling memorial to the Jew who were drowned here during the Holocaust. The killers made them take their shows off before forcing them to their deaths in the river.
We crossed the river and climbed up the hil to the Buda castel and while it was cool, it wasnt as impressive as finding the Eye of Sauron.
Grace tried a much more diplomatic approach to appeasing such a fantastically fearful foe.
Grace also found this friendly lion that gave us directions.
We followed the directions up to the Fisherman's bastion, and true to its word it was worth the climb.
The cathedral right next to the bastion was also stunning.
The inside had be refinished and was honestly one of the most unique and beautiful "modern" takes. Certainly the most interesting cathedral interior we have seen.
Each dome was slightly different but complementary to the whole.
Grace really liked this statue
After enjoying our time in Budapest, just to keep things confusing we went to Bucharest, Romania.
Now to be honest we didn't get many pictures. between forgetting the camera and being sick we got almost no pictures at all. However enjoy this picture of the center of the city (from our flat's balcony)
Here it is at night...
And a picture of our grocery bag. For those of you on the east coast, I hope you enjoy either the international reach of a beloved icon, or the blatant rip-off.
After a little touch and go with sickness we dragged ourselves to the train station and took the train to Brasov (thank you Erin for the recommendation). We loved this town.
Our hostess recommended that we take the cable car to the top of the mountain for the view, but not to linger as it was spring. "It is spring so the bears are out. If you do not want to be food for bears you shouldn't miss the last cable car down at 5:00". Certainly the most thoughtful advice from a host yet.
Our first night there we went to a local eatery that specializes in soups and stews. It was so nice to have a warm bowl of delicious stew with crusty bread for dipping, all washed down with a dark beer.
The next day we explored the town but got interrupted by a snowstorm.
Grace tried to build a snowman on her head and got a good bit of work done before we decided to call it quits and go inside.
We also got to see some sort of military/police presentation in the square. I think that one guy is on to me.
The next day we visited Bran Castle. This is the castle that was inhabited by Vlad the Impaler and supposedly inspired the legend of Dracula. All the locals insisted that there was no truth to the stories, but I know true fear when I see it. here it is...
Okay that was more what my face looked like, but the castle WAS pretty
The view was stunning from up there. Loving the Transylvanian countryside.
We also bought this local pastry that is made over the fire around a wooden "rolling pin" it was quite tasty but I felt cheated by the lack of cream in our horn.
Also the town of Brasov is very beautiful. Especially when there is a little sun
They have a wonderful square and it was decorated for easter and they had a fair going on. So much fun.
Our last day there we went to go see Peles Castle. It was certainly a different type of castle being quite modern; the first castle build with central heating and cooling built in.
With our time in Romania drawing to a close, we went and spent 5 hours in the unheated, pigeon infested Brasov train station while a bunch of teenagers made out in close proximity to us... FOR 5 HOURS.
more soon!
