24 December 2015 Thursday
After McDonald Breakfast, we ventured into Vaci Street. This was Christmas Eve and the street was quiet. Half of the shops were not operating.
A little surprise to see St Michael Church on this shopping street.
A small church with very elegant interior.
At the end of Vaci Street…. we arrived at the Central Market again. It will be closed for Christmas at 12 noon
It was less crowded.
We were greeted by very friendly Chili Sisters.
The lower section resemble wet market in Singapore… selling fruits and vegetables…
meat, sausages, ham …and goose liver and….
Truffle…
At one corner of the market….we saw this displays of mushroom varieties
1200 hrs…. we exit the Central Market. Just outside the market is Liberty Bridge.
On the pavement of Liberty Bridge
Pedestrians appeared small on this gigantic constructions.
The other end of Liberty bridge is Gellert Bath,
Passing Gellert Bath and onto Hiking Path
we strolled leisurely and enjoyed the greenery along the way.
We hike towards statue of Liberty…. looking back at diminishing Liberty Bridge…
Our Picture…
Gellert Hill Cave Chapel is a Solemn wonder. Externally it looked like fenced Cave.
Inside the Chapel…. walked on cave passage before we reached the prayer room.
The use of natural lights gave me a peaceful spiritual feeling.
Exit from the Cave, we continued our hike…. looked down at Danube and Budapest.
Our pictures… from summit
Approaching Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
A short walk from Statue Liberty is the Hapsburg Fortress (Citadella)
The fortress wall was filled with WWII battle scar.
The vegetation along the fortress wall looked superb…
Tiny Christmas market by the fortress. We needed some hot food and drinks.
Bidding good bye to Cintadella
Summit Views
An easy downhill walk to Saint Gellert Monument.
Elizabeth Bridge from Saint Gellert Monument.
A long flight of stairs led us down to Elizabeth Bridge
Looking uphill …
Crossing Elizabeth Bridge
Walking Pavement on Elizabeth bridge
Standing at the middle of Danube and took a picture of Saint Gellert Monument.
I love this picture…. remind me of Flashdance… silhouette pictures of actress cycling on a bridge.
It was evening time… we headed back to Hotel, washed up a little before our Christmas dinner. Vaci Street was lighted up.
Our Christmas dinner at a little cosy restaurant.
Goulash and Local food.
at 2300 hrs… we walked to Basilica… to join the local for Christmas Midnight Mass. Internet research says that I need to bring a chair with me…
“On the evening of Christmas, on December 24, many Hungarians in the 19th century, and at the beginning of the 20 century, took a special chair with themselves to the church for the Midnight Mass. This chair was not meant to sit on, but rather to stand on, and see into the future / to unveil reality.”
Fortunately I did not bring a good chair….The church was packed with people when we enter. No one brought chair.
Beauty and Treasure….
The mass proceeding.
It was almost 0130 hrs before we left the church and headed back to our hotel. It was a long day. Altogether we were on our foot for 21 KM. We enjoyed the various sites we visited. What a great way to spend our Christmas Eve.
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