Alright, I am fully recovered from Budapest, and slightly pissed off from work, so now’s the perfect time to actually blog about what we got to do in the “Paris of Central Europe”. I’ve actually still got around 536 Forint left over from the trip, you’d think its worth exchanging if it wasn’t only about £1.50..

Firstly, since we got one of the cheapy flights, we left for the airport late at 11pm and caught the luton airport shuttle. We stayed in the airport overnight for around 4 very long hours – its amazing how long you can make a cup of tea last. On the verge of delirium, we finally proceeded to the departure gates at around 5:00am, and boarded around 6:30am. The plane trip was rather uneventful, save for the freeeeezing cabin and Erica’s remarkable ability to sleep through take off, flight AND landing. The best bit was peering out the window and seeing the miniature houses scattered neatly on the landscape, and then the danube river with the bridges strewn across it.

Landing at Ferihegy II, everything went smoothly until Sian realised she wasn’t holding onto her baggage anymore and darted back into the terminal to (thankfully) rescue it. Rather worrying but in hindsight, slightly amusing. Anyway, took the Repterbusz to Kobanya Kispest, and plonked ourselves down on the metro (love the metro, the Tube can learn a thing or two) with the not so fashionable green tinted but spacious and clean aisles for around 8 stops to Nyugati station.

Our hostel was apparently “one minute’s walk” from Nyugati which i can tell you was absolute bollocks but after some walking up, down, and then up again Vaci Ut, finally found what looked like the entrance to Wormwood Prison but in fact was the entrance to our hostel. In the end it was actually alright, nothing fancy but clean (well, when the bathroom ceiling didnt leak) and cheap. The highlight of the hostel had to be the free tea and coffee – the machine was cranky, old and loud but it squeezed the good stuff out of them coffee beans. After powernapping, we took a stroll through Westend Shopping Center, all very well and good but the prices werent so budapestian and pretty much high street standard.

Afterwards, our trusty lonely planet guide gave us clues for dinner and decided to get over to Verosmarty Ter for dinner at the “Hades” jazz restaurant. Great food (duck steak with peach salad YUM) arsey waiter, no jazz (unless you count the cassette player on loop) incredibly strong mint coffee but overall very satisfied. (Also got a bunch of furry flowers from Erica, I looked a fool carrying them back to England but hey its worth it!)

Finished off the day in style, hopping on the Danube night cruise which had absolutely incredibly views. The Royal Palace was illuminated like some ghostly monument with a brilliant and warm light was really stood out against the dark, and the Chain Bridge was also amazing to see. Champagne and a cruise, not a bad way to spend your 21st!