WanderLex

Tag: Solo Travel

  • Nightfall around Szechenyi Chain Bridge

    Nightfall around Szechenyi Chain Bridge

    If there’s only one thing you can see in Budapest, let it be Szechenyi Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd). Definitely the most famous bridge in Hungarian capital for a good reason, and it’s my favourite structure in Budapest beside the Parliament Building. The Chain Bridge looks awesome all day long but its magical charm goes up by another notch when night falls.

    That’s when the surrounding buildings and streets light up along with it…simply awesome! Everywhere I turned was good photo opportunities which motivated me to soldier in the very windy and freaking cold night. Now, if only I can capture great photos like the pros…oh well… Anyhow, these were taken during the first night of wandering around the bridge.

    Széchenyi Chain Bridge of Budapest

    Lion guardian of Chain Bridge

    Walking along the Bridge

    Walking along Chain Bridge

    Buda Castle at night

    Chain Bridge upclose

    Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace

    Chain Bridge Déjà vu

    I went back to the same place again next evening, wanting to see the scenic setting that earned Budapest ‘Paris of the East’ nickname. Took a bus from Buda Old Town and alight at Széll Kálmán tér before taking the metro to Batthyány tér.

    Széll Kálmán tér Budapest

    Tram at Széll Kálmán tér

    And man, the Metro stations in Budapest go really deep into underground – I’m talking about some 10 storeys kind of depth. The escalators’ speed is kinda fast too, so hold on to that handrail else risk a long and painful tumble down!

    Underground Metro Station of Budapest

    Metro in Budapest

    The heavy downpour dashed my hope of sunset photo opportunity… sianz… So I took shelter and seek comfort food at a random Italian restaurant by the name of Pizza EATaliano. The dinner and Tiramisu turned up delicious! Nice!

    Dinner at Pizza EATaliano Budapest

    Dessert at Pizza EATaliano Budapest

    It was still pouring when blue hour appeared…it was so beautiful that rain doesn’t bother me anymore.

    Pizza EATaliano at Batthyány tér
    Pizza EATaliano at Batthyány tér

    The two-towered Church of St. Anne (Szent Anna templom) looking graceful.

    Church of St. Anne Budapest

    Managed to capture the Hungarian Parliament House (Országház) and Margaret Bridge (Margit híd) before the blue hour left…

    Hungarian Parliament House during Blue Hour

    Margaret Bridge during Blue Hour

    Awesome view from Margaret Bridge

    Then I headed to Margaret Bridge for some different views where I was pretty much drenched by then. The effort here is worth it as the overview of both river banks from Margaret Bridge is spectacular!!

    Along Margaret Bridge in Budapest

    Margaret Bridge in Budapest

    The Crown Of Saint Stephen On Margaret Bridge
    The Crown Of Saint Stephen On Margaret Bridge

    Nice view from Margaret Bridge

    Nice view from Margaret Bridge

    Buda Castle view from Margaret Bridge

    Hungarian Parliament House view from Margaret Bridge

    The Szechenyi Chain Bridge looks damn awesome from Margaret Bridge. Not wanting to end off the cold cold night yet so I went back up to Buda Castle and captured more shots of the charming Szechenyi bridge.

    Chain Bridge view from Buda Castle

    The view of Chain Bridge from Buda Castle

    The atmosphere around Buda Castle at night is nice and quiet. It’s like my very own magical place and I didn’t see anyone else until Fisherman Bastion.

    Castle hill at night

    Castle hill at night

    Matthias Church at night

    There’s this nice melody of a violin playing in the quiet night when I was at Fisherman Bastion. The music came from a lone violinist playing on the steps of the Bastion which I gladly tipped him before heading back to my hotel.

    Violinist playing at Fisherman Bastion

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    What are your thoughts about Szechenyi Chain Bridge? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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  • Buda Old Town at Castle Hill

    Buda Old Town at Castle Hill

    I left the imposing Buda Castle and continue to explore other parts of Castle Hill district. Located at the hilly bank of Buda side is a district packed with historic sights, this is after all the oldest part of Budapest dated back to medieval times. However, much of whatever historical was destroyed and rebuilt, no thanks to wars.

    Budapest Castle Hill District

    Remnants of buildings

    Statue of Gorgey Artur near Buda Castle

    Buda Castle view from Castle Hill

    Still, I can feel some medieval vibe around these quieter cobblestone streets in this part of the city. Life up here seems much slower as compared to Pest…but don’t we all just like to get away from the hustle and bustle once in a while?

    Perhaps the vehicle restriction helps to keep the serenity – only a handful of people who live or work here are allowed to drive in this area. Also exempted from the ban are the taxi, bus and those guests staying at Hilton Hotel.

    Cobblestone streets of Castle Hill

    Bird at Castle Hill

    I came across this funny monument which kinda made me go WTF. There’re names of Hungarian cities being engraved on it but I simply cannot comprehend the look.

    Funny monument at Castle Hill Budapest

    Then a tour group came and their English guide asked about the resemblance. Penis!!! Someone shouted and all of us started laughing. She went on to explain that this was from the Russians and the top portion of the monument is not a dick head but a Russian Hat! Seriously?? LOL

    Wandering around Buda Old Town

    Next up’s the Trinity square at the central point of Buda Old town, named after the Holy Trinity Column.

    Holy Trinity column Budapest

    Golden Eagle Pharmacy Budapest
    Golden Eagle Pharmacy at Budapest

    Right across the column is Matthias Church (Mátyás Church), another iconic landmark of the old town, with its bright and beautiful Zsolnay roof tiles. Since its completion, this important church had hosted many royal coronations.

    Matthias Church of Budapest

    But it’s what behind the church that got me excited, and I’m talking about the Fisherman Bastion (Halászbástya). The unique-looking bastion and its white towers are truly pleasing to the eyes, small wonder why almost every postcard in Budapest will showcase some parts of Fisherman Bastion.

    Fisherman Bastion of Budapest

    Fisherman Bastion framed up

    Fisherman Bastion Budapest

    Fisherman Bastion in Budapest

    Restaurant at Fisherman Bastion

    There are different theories on how the bastion has gotten its name but that doesn’t really matter to me. All I know is that the beautiful fortification is a great place to enjoy great views of Danube and Pest side.

    View from Fisherman Bastion

    Then there’s the statue of King Stephen I on horseback.

    King Stephen I Statue in Budapest

    Close up of King Stephen I

    And more pictures of Fisherman Bastion, I was reluctant to leave if not for the rain…

    Around Fisherman Bastion

    Towers of Fisherman Bastion

    Bastion Towers

    Thereafter, I wandered a little more around the beautiful Buda old town before hopping on to a bus to Széll Kálmán tér.

    Old Town of Buda

    Hilton Hotel in Budapest
    Hilton Hotel in Budapest

    Around Old Town

    Buda Old Town

    National Archives of Hungary
    National Archives of Hungary

    [alert]

    What are your thoughts about Buda Old Town? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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