DAY 18 (MAY 19-SAT) ESZTERGOM TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY  (9:00-7:00)

Light breakfast @ 8:00-see Jean leaving–we walk up to Basilica after bk-tour buses already lined up.  See Jean leaving Basilica as we go in to take pictures.

WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY:  NO GRAVEL, NOT COLD OR WINDY

Temp 65-80-light breeze-paved bike path down Danube–YES-this is how tour described-on road again-light traffic-take 1st ferry-it’s like a family reunion.  Couple from Netherlands w/GPS & motorized bikes (cost 2,000 Eu); Belgium couple;  4 Australians: & Jean lined up at same time.  Australians joined RAD REISEN in Vienna–same tour but we stay in different hotels & sometimes different towns.  Compared stories-we are at fantastic hotels–theirs don’t sound very nice & located from main town.  There was no price distinction when signing up to get cheaper accommodations–Cost for them 500 Eu-Vienna to Budapest-our cost $1,600 per person-15 days, include extra day in Vienna & Budapest, train ride, bike rental, boat ride down Danube at end, wonderful hotels & breakfasts, luggage always arrived on time, loved my bike (30 to 65 m a day), unbelievable opportunities to not only bike but sight see, so many people spoke English & were willing to help you–biggest problem was maps & directions were not good at times getting into town & out. What a way to celebrate our 1st 30 yrs together!!!!!!!!

TODAY:We experience everything good-paved bike paths, light traffic on roads, beautiful scenery–see more horses today & less vineyards.  In 1 town, hundreds all age school kids-in groups of about 15-20-going to parks & music area.  Stop at busy flea market–so many people out on bikes, walking, jogging, rollerblading, sitting along Danube–It’s Sat & the weather could not be better.  During the week going through some of these small towns they almost seem deserted.  Took 3 ferries-crossed w/jean each time.  Stopped to have coke & cookies at store on path–was just closing–more people showed up–said it was MURPHY’S LAW–it’s 2:00 on Sat-they want to close & have more customers now.  We have choice today-bike into BUDAPEST or take 1 hr boat ride into Budapest–GPS couple bike in-waiting for boat-say hello to Australians as they bike into town.  We all vote for boat ride–loved it–1st time to see more recreation boats–try to ride in our wake.  See Budapest in the distance–can’t describe how impressive & massive it is.  Buda is on one side & Pest is on other side of Danube–we stay on Buda’s side.  I follow MAP PEOPLE (Armand & Jean) to Hotel Flamenco & check in.  Eat at hotel-waiter has suggestions for women & men-Take man suggestion of pork–too salty & tough–Armand & Jean have tofu.  Room is nice–but NO wi-fi in room-have to use computer in lobby.  Can’t believe for big hotel not to have internet in room unless you pay.  Watch Men’s synchronized diving from 10 meter board–not sure that’s a big event in US.  Plan to take bike tour w/Jean tomorrow–she is really organized.  We are so grateful that she let us tag along on her fantastic bike adventure in Europe.

DAY 17 (5/18-FRI) KOMARNO TO ERZTERGOM, HUNGARY (10:00 TO 3:00)

Good night’s sleep-wake up at 8:00-A puts pictures on blog–he’s doing such a good job.  See Jean as we go to breakfast-she’s ready to go but comes talks to us about yesterday & today.  She is going to get GPS for next trip–other couple got right out-of-town.  She did a different route & didn’t go to the Abby–glad we saw it.  !st time to order breakfast–both get SWEET plate–their definition & mine are NOT the same–get 2 rolls, jelly, cereal & yogurt–I don’t like cereal & yogurt–voted worst breakfast.  Take picture of bowling lanes in our BF area & beautiful garden outside.  A gets us across bridge & on to gravel trail (see picture)-after many miles-see dirt path & take that.  These 2 days of gravel are more than I’ve done in 15 yrs of biking–am not a mt biker.  Decide to leave trail & try heavy traffic rd–much better-light traffic-farm lands-small towns (w/well kept yards) & wind in our face to slow me down.  Weather is much better today-sun is out (no jacket)winds 5 to 10 mph.  Stop at pt where bike trail ends–who is coming off trail but Jean–it’s like we’re waiting for her.  Raving about wonderful trail & scenery–she said he changed later after we left it.  Go into last Slavic town before we cross into Hungary.  Eat ice cream & sit on bench in sun.  See 1st Pepsi stand–coke definitely has a monopoly in Europe–& I’ve drunk more coke on this trip than I have in 20 yrs.  Cross over bridge into Hungary–unbelievable site of the BASILICA OF ESZTERGOM.  My camera battery is dead & can’t take pictures–A has camera but can’t download to blog site.  These are some of best pictures of trip.  Charging battery so will take pictures as we leave tomorrow.  Our Hotel Szent Adalbert is located next to Basilica–smallest room & tv so far-very clean–this is really what I expected all along.  Walk up to Basilica–biggest church so far–pay to go to the top-420 little 1 person steps up & 420 down.  Sorry I don’t have pictures but view is fantastic–we are the only ones up here because it closes at 5:30.  Downstairs in church are at least 6 tour buses of tourists.  Go to restaurant up here–have another wonderful meal  (plate loaded w/beef & vegetables). & 2 cokes.  still haven’t seen Jean–no telling all the things she did–will find out at breakfast.