Greetings from the AMACELLO

Monday, July 12, 2010

Greetings from onboard the AMACELLO, our cruising ship/boat down the Danube for the next 7 days. Since out last post, we were able to see more of Budapest - Hero's Square down Andreaszy Street (Budapest's version of the Champs d' Elysees), stopped in at the Opera Hall, went through and about 1/2 way up St. Stephen's Basilica (absolutely stunning, both the views inside of the religious paintings, scenes, religious imagery, etc. as well as the 360 degree view of Budapest from the outside of the dome). More good food throughout the different restaurants.

We went back up to the National Gallery today in the hope of seeing a lot of the Art collection in Budapest only to find that it was closed on Monday - such are the hardships of holidays. However we did go through the Labyrinths, a series of natural underground tunnels under the area where St. Matthais Church and the Fisherman's Bastion is. This is all part of the Buda Palace complex so I imagine that 500 - 800 years ago, there were many nefarious and sinister goings-on in the Labyrinths. Given that it was +30 outside/topside, the 18-20 degree temp in the Labyrinth was quite welcome. Not a place for claustrophobics however!
The tempersture has been steadily climbing during the last 3 days and with reports via t.v., it seems as if Prague is going to be in the mid-30s if not higher. Hopefully the next seven days on the Danube will give us a bit of respite.

The Danube is just as muddy as the North Sask. except it is perhaps 1 1/2 to 2 times broader. It also looks considerably deeper.

Joan informs me she has already found the cappuchino maker on the ship so all is well with her world!

Here's Joan with some pics. Whoops, just found out that we cannot upload pictures on the computers in the staterooms so we will have to wait until we get into Prague in seven days for more pics. Everyone will just have to put up with my witty (?) dialogue.
That's all for now folks.

For all of you who are back from or going on holidays, we wish you a pleasant summer.

J. & J.