Day 53. Saturday 23 May.

On the buses. We’ll use the 48-hour pass on the Big Bus firstly for an overview, then to hop off/hop on (make that gingerly step off and on) at various key points of interest.

First hop off was at St. Stephen’s Basilica where we once again joined countless others milling outside.

We bought tickets online, which saved standing in a queue at the ticket office (but then stood waiting for the incoming emailed items), then joined all the gawkers inside with mobiles aloft to capture the spiritual serenity and moment (yes, including the ‘here I am in the Basilica selfies!’ Maybe it’s a new form of prayer?)  If you can’t beat them… The organist was in a practice session & he was projected onto a big screen (shades of John S?)

Back on the bus, deciding to stay on to do the whole circuit, then hop off at the Synagogue as we came back around. The wheels on the bus went round and round, and so did we as we tried to find seats out of the burning sun.

Back at the Synagogue, first priority was a refreshment…a beer & a pancake (chicken filling). Across the road at the Synagogue things looked decidedly slow – on checking, of course it was closed for the Sabbath. Back tomorrow.

Found our way to the Great Central Market (T still thought she might find something cooler to wear in these final hot days)… again closed, with the consolation of sourcing some black tea from the Aldi down the escalator. Hop on, then off to get back to the apartment for a quick dinner (that can of tuna would be perfect) before an evening cruise on the Danube.

Cruise was booked online earlier in the day, and D was a bit surprised at the cost when it came through – several times more than he’d thought it was – obviously not paying close enough attention to detail. And the departure point was not on our Buda side of the river as we’d thought, rather a few kms downstream on the Pest side. Would we Uber? No, we can get a tram along the esplanade – line 19 or 41 would do – and it’s free for over 65s!!!  Towards the end of our short trip, a ticket inspector appeared. He was happy with our passport proof of age but then interacted with three teenage girls who spoke in something other than English, who had no tickets and professed not to know what the system is (oh yeah!). He explained in English that there is a fine for travelling without tickets. They all got off the tram when we did, still discussing the matter. We departed discreetly.

Walk across the Chain Bridge to Dock 7, to be a bit mystified that our 2100 departure was not listed on the board. And at that point there was heavy, loud thumping music blasting over revellers at dockside bars. What had we signed up for? D checked the electronic ticket: 2145 departure, which was not what he thought he’d selected. We retreated for an extra hour, sitting in a park, in a lovely cool evening breeze, watching the passing parade, including several hens’ parties, folk of all ages, a few ‘lost souls’ checking the garbage bins, with city lights softening the scene.

Then it was time to rejoin the queues along the waterfront. We joined one heading towards Gate 3 on Dock 7, operated by Legenda. It moved forward in bursts but then stalled. D went forward to check to discover that it was actually a queue for Dock 6 that tailed back. We bypassed onto the reception area where we stood….and waited. And waited. Seems that the delay was the late arrival and unloading of the previous boat. Eventually boarded, seated on the upper deck, and the cruise began. After the noise and crush around dockside, the boat, with lights turned off, was a very welcome change. T was surprised by the calm; without headphone commentary & passengers mostly respecting the moment, the one-hour glide was just that and the city was indeed a magical sight.

Returned home via the same route and into bed before midnight – just. Big day for those of the right age.