Europe Day Five. Exploring The Streets And Neighborhoods Of Budapest
I awoke Saturday, my second morning in Budapest, to find a heavy rain falling. The rain continued for a few hours so I had a good breakfast at the hotel, drank some coffee and edited some photos. Around 9 a.m. the rains ended. The skies were still cloudy and threatening as I left the Hilton Budapest atop the Castle Hill. 
However I wanted to explore so I hoped the rains would hold off as I surveyed the city below from the turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion. 
I descended the steep stairs down to the streets along the Danube River
It was Saturday so there was little traffic as I walked past the many museums along the foot of the Castle Hill. 
I had to cross the Danube River on the Elizabeth Bridge since the famous Chain Bridge was closed for repairs. 
There were a few drop of rain falling as I walked across the famous river for the second time in my life. I hope it won’t be my last. 
I continued on Kossuth Lajos after I crossed the bridge, now realizing, I walked past some significant historical buildings. 
I only decided to make this trip about a week in advance so I didn’t do mu usual research on this historic city. And, I was walking fast hoping to see as much as I could in case the rains started again. 
I walked along this busy avenue, past the old buildings and some up scale shops. 
I made my way into the Jewish neighborhood where I did want to see the Great Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the entire world. Unfortunately, it was Saturday, the Sabbath, and closed. 
I was able to visit the moving Carl Lutz Memorial to the thousands of Jews murdered during the Holocaust. 
I now made my way through the side streets and through some busy markets,
until I came to famous Andrassy Avenue. This famous avenue was built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000 year anniversary of arrivals of the Magyars , the original Hungarians, arrival into the region. 
It is a beautiful street, first lined with shops and restaurants, 
then tree lined islands,
and finally streets with many statues, lavish residences. 
The street ended at Hero’s Square. The rain held off as I walked the two miles to Hero’s Square. explored the surrounding parks, where some interesting restaurants were located,
near a nice lake. Despite the threat of rain many people strolled this area. Here is a link to a gallery with more photos from my walk to Hero’s Square. Europe Day Five Hungary Budapest walk to zoo June 4 2022. 
The zoo and botanical gardens are also both located here. This was somewhat unusual . You had to enter the zoo to see the gardens. 
I am not a big fan of zoos, after seeing animals live free. and knowing how much they enjoy their freedom . But this was a nice zoo with polar bears, gorillas, lions and many more animals. I don’t usually photograph captive animal, except in nature reserves., sorry, However, as I walked through, seeing many of the animals I was so blessed to see in the wild, I reflected on how I may be one of the last people to have seen so many animals lining in the wild, We are quickly destroying this beautiful planet with our greed. 
There were some nice gardens in the zoo too, such as the pretty Japanese gardens.
I saw a few birds in the gardens including a hooded crow, 
and Eurasian blackbird. I have come to love the songs of this bird. They are especially beautiful in the evening. 
I checked out some of the exotic gardens,
and made my way to my favorite, the butterfly gardens.
It was enchanting. so many tropical butterflies fluttered in the hot, humid tropical air in the greenhouse. 
I could have spent a day watching these delicate creatures. 
The tropical flowers were also beautiful .
After observing the butterflies I left the zoo and roamed the beautiful surrounding parks,
and came to the hot baths which Budapest has been famous for since Roman times. I had to visit, and it took some explaining that I didn’t want to use the baths, but just to tour them, but I finally got a ticket. 
A lot of folks looked at me strangely as I roamed the baths and spas with my camera.
I exited by walking past the large heated outdoor pools. I was surprised to see the large crowd considering the weather and the COVID pandemic. All of the folks were enjoying themselves and loud conversations and a lot of laughter filled the air. i am told the Hungarian people love the thermal spas that are common in their county.
I left the spa, and took one last look at the impressive building. 
I walked through the park again and found this hot air balloon used to give tourists and interested residents a view of the city from
above. I wish I had time to take a ride.
I returned to the vast Hero’s Square . I had walked over eight miles. In my younger days I may have walked back the five miles to my hotel. Not any more, I took a taxi back to my room It was a great morning exploring historic and beautiful Budapest. Here is a link to some more photos of my visit to the Budapest zoo and baths, Europe Day Five Hungary Budapest zoo June 4 2022. 
“Roam abroad in the world, and take thy fill of its enjoyments before the day shall come when thou must quit it for good.”
―
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