Budapest – Day 5

I spent most of the late morning and afternoon riding around Margaret Island on a fun bike cart. It is an island in the middle of the Danube between Buda and Pest. It’s named after King Bela IV’s daughter Margaret. In the 13th Century, King Bela swore that if God were to delivery Hungary from the invading Tatars (they later created the famous Tater Tots… OK, that’s not true and is a really corny joke!), he would dedicate his youngest daughter Margaret to the Church. When the Tatars left, Margaret was shipped to a nunnery on the island. She embraced her new life as a castaway nun and later became St. Margaret of Hungary.

The island is this huge leafy park where no cars are allowed and is a peaceful oasis from the big city right next to it. It seemed like it was mostly locals having picnics and walking their dogs. I included a few general pics but it includes an old water tower, the remains of Margaret’s nunnery, a quaint little church (of course I found that!), a rose garden and even a mini water park.

I also went back over to City Park and walked around there a little bit as well. That’s where the Vajdahunyad Castle is as well as the Széchenyi Baths.

And that’s where I really got my ahhhhhh moment on. Spent the evening soaking in a huge outdoor thermal bath while old Hungarian men in Speedos were playing chess (That actually happens during the day!). This was definitely the highlight of my day.

I didn’t realize it but Budapest is home to 123 natural springs and about two dozen thermal baths (called furdos). Hungary’s Carpathian Basin is essentially a thin crust covering a vast reservoir of hot water. The word “Pest” comes from a Slavic word for “oven”. The locals say if you poke a hole in the ground anywhere in Hungary, you’ll find a hot water spring!

But it was sooooo relaxing just hanging out in the thermal baths. I know I will sleep good tonight! And no, I did not include a pic of me in my Speedo! Lol

Hope everyone had a great Monday!

Jeff