Vacation Hungary and Croatia

 

At Memorial Park in Budapest



I had an awesome vacation, it was well organized and we got great deals.  I went with another PCV and we shared all costs which really helps.  Our flight was from Baku to Budapest which we left at 4 am but the cost was 98 Euros round trip (that's about $125.00), no frills but it was only a 3 1/2 hour flight from Baku. (a plus for living here).  When we landed, to get to our pension' because we were on the Buda side (the city is divided  by the Danube river Buda on one side and Pest on the other), we decided on Buda side because that is where we picked up the rental car but we had to take a bus, a train, a tram and then another bus.  It took about 1 1/2 hours but we were given clear instructions and all transport was clearly marked so we knew where we were going (unlike here in Baku where buses is a guessing game and even if you have taken them before the route may change at the bus driver's whim).  The pension' was wonderful and the couple was so helpful.  We visited the castle district which was beautiful and on the balcony we could see the bridges over the Danube. We rented the car and found out we could not go to Montenegro because of insurance reason, so we just added extra days to the parks we were visiting in Croatia. I did all the driving because my travelling partner did not bring her driver's license (oh, I applied for an International Driver's license and it was delivered to PC office after I left... go figure "Murphy's law"!!!).  I bought maps and because I traveled by car in Europe before, I have developed a pretty good sense of direction and can read maps. No GPS in the car, we got a really great deal on the car (about $150 for each of us for 11 days) so it was no frills as well. It was a Skoda (Czech car) compact 4 door and was excellent on gas.  If you remember the car I had in the Czech Republic was a Skoda (meaning pitiful in Czech) well, it is much improved because I believe that Volvo or BMW bought them out.  I drove over 2000 kilometers and the car ran great and it was good on gas (only 4 tanks of gas for the whole trip).  Driving was very easy, roads were paved and signs were clear and readable!! Food was wonderful and a wide variety of local and international cuisine, enough to share.  Wine was excellent, we mostly got the local wines. I would say if you wanted a vacation and are on a budget, Croatia is a secret treasure.  It is across the Adriatic sea from Italy with all of Italy flavor but at 1/3 the cost. It is cleaner and friendlier as well.

This is one of our meals

 

Croatia is a country with a lot of National Parks, they are well maintained and are very organized. You can take a short hike for 1 to 2 hours up to longer hikes of 6-8 hours. I am a bit faster than my travel friend, so we decided to meet at the car after the hikes. Since the trails were so well marked, I did not worry about her losing her way. It was great hiking and it was good to have alone time. And the beauty of the park is best absorbed in thought and prayer. I feel so blessed to be able to witness God's work. Croatia also has beaches but I am sorry to say that the beaches do not have sand but rocks that are extremely hard on your feet, but oh the water is so beautiful, clear and cold. In Trigor (near Split) we went on a cruise to an island for swimming and sun bathing and lunch. It was a great day, the weather was perfect. Our trip was just before tourist season, so not too many tourist and not very crowded. The weather was cool in the parks, but pleasant on the beach side.  We met this wonderful Croatian women who lived in America for 30 years (she is an American citizen) that invited us to her house for a traditional Croatian meal and wine.  Her flat is right in the center of town and sitting on her balcony you can watch the busyness of the community.  I have attached a slide show of some of the pictures of my trip.

 

 

I have been approved for extension of my service pending passing my medical.  I will be here until the close of the school year 2014. 

 

Life Challenge:  The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page... Saint Augustine