Our first trip together , and we only met for the first time the week previous
My oh my, have I been spoilt!
Friday 10 May
Hair: Straight and tamed
Makeup: Subtle
Clothes: Comfortable
Mobile: In bag
Steve collected me on Friday prompt at 12:30 as he texted he would. He brought in his case and I loaded my ‘stuff’ into it. We were a little early setting off, but better to have the time at the airport than get stuck in traffic. I knew from the direction he was driving the departure airport wouldn’t be LHR or Gatwick and of course it turned out to be Luton.
Car parking was pre-booked and pre-paid. So organised! He’s so attentive, protective and tactile, taking my hand at all times (if his arm isn’t round me) to cross roads, board the transfer bus and check in at the airport. I honestly found it so difficult to switch off and trust someone else with logistics. He even took my passport and charge of security and passport control. Totally new experiences for me.
We had lunch at the airport and our Easyjet plane took off on time to Budapest. We arrived around 9:30pm and Steve booked the transfer from the airport to the hotel which was a Novotel. He checked in at the hotel, again without any of my loyalty cards, secured an upgrade and we ended up in a suite overlooking the Danube and Houses of Parliament.
Then another first, he worked out the room safe and stored our ‘stuff’ that we didn’t need.
The first evening was low key with local evening meal.
Saturday 11 May
Hair: Straight and almost tamed
Makeup: Subtle
Clothes: Layers of string top, t shirt and jumper over jeans
Mobile: Banned
Weather: Sunny
Steve had brought a small ruck sack with, and became my personal pack horse. Apart from my handbag, I wasn’t allowed to carry anything. He worked out dosh, cameras, spare layers of clothes and of course maps, transport guides and where to visit leaflets. A leisurely walk from the South side of the Danube from our hotel to the centre to have brunch at a Hungarian café. We both tried local dishes. Then a short walk to watch the world go by before purchasing Hop On/Hop Off tickets for two days.
Our first trip was an afternoon cruise on the Danube with a glass of wine and cameras. It was so warm I was able to remove my t shirt and just wear a string top. Lots of compliments from Steve.
Early afternoon we sat in a bar with cocktails to watch the world go by again and then made our way back to the hotel to get changed for dinner. Steve booked local low key Hungarian restaurant (no tourists) for a candlelit booth romantic dinner with taxis both ways. Couldn’t get through the delicious food as the helpings were too generous.
Sunday 12 May
Hair: Washed and natural
Makeup: Slight mascara as aim was to spend time at the Szecheni Baths.
Clothes: T Shirt and Jumper
Mobile: Banned
Weather: Windy and colder
With back pack organised with bikini, budgie smugglers and hair products we made our way to the hop on/hop off bus stop and boarded the open top bus. Listening to the tourist descriptions of the place of interest we made our way to Varosliget and the Szechenyl Furdo Baths – http://www.szechenyibath.hu/. At the end of the route we made our way through the park. There’s a Zoo by the baths so we entered that and as if by magic, found an upmarket restaurant to have posh nosh light lunch and glass of wine. Sitting in the sun shine being fussed over by older Hungarian old school waiters was pure indulgence.
After lunch we toured the Zoo, another photo opportunity (think competition). Steve won that one easily.
Then on our way to the baths, we passed the Circus (all three attractions within a short walk of each other) and stopped off as it was traditional with live animals. Apart from the amazing acrobats, trapeze artistes and very funny clowns, there was also a lion tamer with 5 big cats and 2 elephants. Great show and I’m pleased we saw it. All I was thinking of at that time, was my goodness we’re both doing the same things we enjoy – coincidence or mutual interests?! Note to Blanche. Stop analysing and just enjoy.
Steve walked me back to the bus stop were we got a taxi. He said we should make our way to the Jewish quarter as there was a good café society culture, so we did. As we started walking we passed the National Museum which had an outdoor music festival so obviously stopped by, bought our drinks and sat alfresco tapping our feet to the music.
After an hour or so we continued our walk where Steve found a pedestrianized street full of cafes and restaurants. We chose one, seated ourselves at 7:30 and found out there was a live jazz band on at 8pm. I handed Steve the menu and asked him to choose my evening meal, which he did. Superbly. We always had different choices so we could taste each other’s food. After great live music we chatted to guests either side of us and also the band members; one Micham from Israel. Then it was taxi back with me winging about not having worn make up and how Marilyn Munro had a lot to answer for (if you can’t handle me at my worst, you don’t deserve me at my best).
Monday 13 May
Hair: Natural and wild
Makeup: Loads of it after day before. Sod the spa bath.
Clothes: T Shirt, Jumper and Coat
Mobile: Still banned
Weather: Windy and colder
Again we started our day with a walk before getting a taxi up to the Citadel. Bloody windy up there. Lots of hand holding, cuddling, giggles and silly photos (on Steve’s camera). We decided to walk down – incredibly slowly – which took 20 minutes and make our way back to the centre. I winged I was doing more walking than he was on account of my little legs and him being 6’1 and taking longer strides. He responded that he had more weight to carry so actually I was the one better off. Damn, was I ever going to win any banter?
Time for the metro as we hadn’t done that yet and, yes you guessed it, another attempt to get to the baths on the basis it should be less crowded on a Monday than the weekend. I was so so, feeling tired and wondering if I had overdone it.
Anyway we got there and as we arrived, the wind subsided and the sun came out. Steve took care of all arrangements and hired a cabin. We thought it would be a double. It was tiny. I couldn’t stop laughing as we tried to get undressed, hang clothes on the hooks and get our costumes on. Bums in faces just wouldn’t give justice to our slap stick antics. Hiring towels we made our way to the outside pool
Wow! It was bath warm with currents here and there. I was up to my chest/neck. Steve was up to his knees. He held on to me at all times. My only worry was all of my eye make up making it’s way South. By now the sun was shining and I felt totally rejuvenated. We also toured the indoor pools, spas, saunas and steam rooms. A wonderful few hours.
I was shivering too much at the end to be bothered to find the female showers, so we dried off as much as we could with our damp towels and got dressed without washing or showering. In some way it felt deliciously decadent.
Using the metro again, we made our way back to the hotel to check out and order our taxi back to the airport. With an hour to spare we finished our final time al fresco at a local restaurant.
I took this image on timer from my camera. I feel like a dummy on a ventriloquist’s lap.
One of the waiters took this one.
The whole weekend we seemed to be in the right place, at the right time doing such fun things. It could not have been organised any better.
Monday Evening
Hair: Lost the plot
Makeup: What’s that
At the airport I snuggled up to Steve and all the way back on the flight. The great thing about budget airlines is that they cannot afford penalties of incurring late charges, so the flight was on time, we got our case as we came through passport control and Steve drove us back safely but swiftly holding my hand between gear changes.
Dot, dot, dot.
The whole weekend was amazing. I’ve never been so taken care off, looked after or organised. I could definitely get used to that!
It’s 10ish and I now need to leave fairy tale world for a few minutes to catch up in the office.
Next instalment hopefully soon.