Welcome to Hungary

The day’s schedule stated that the ‘face-to-face’ entry into Hungary would begin at 6:00, so TSH and Diva rose at 5:45. They wanted to be showered, shaved, dressed and mascara’d  before meeting Hungarian border guards. They were actually called at 7:10, followed by a morning on the river after the guards left!!

Hungary appears to be much more prosperous than anywhere else seen so far on this voyage. In particular, a large sum of money had obviously been spent on renovating the cathedral in Kalocsa. This was the venue for another, much more professional, organ recital.

The horse display was not, in Diva’s opinion, world-class, but a group of men rode horses and carriages at speed around an arena, cracking whips throughout. The most impressive was the man who rode standing with one foot on each of two horses, whilst controlling eight others. There were also long-horned Hungarian grey steppe cattle. Diva passed on the stables visit, as it was very smelly, but TSH went in and, as well as horses, saw curly-haired pigs. Diva had to spring quickly out of the way, as she ended up in the path of the carriage rides. Neither drank any of the strong alcohol which was provided, although both ate the bread with paprika spread and tried (and rejected) the cheesy scones.

Once more, TSH ate the regional specialities for dinner – goulash soup, paprika chicken and plum bread and butter pudding.