Budapest, Hungary July 14- Last night on-board.

We arrived in Budapest just before midnight last night.  I was already sleeping but in the morning, looking out our cabin window provided this view of the palace.

Right after breakfast we headed out on a bus tour.  We first stopped at the Hero's square on the Pest side.

This is the first view point we stopped at on the Buda side looking back at Pest.

It is a big city, stretching out as far as you can see.

This is called the bullet hole building as it is riddled with holes from the war.
It was our landmark to find our bus while visiting the castle district.

This wild looking bar has been restored to its former glory as it looked in the 1600's.

Matthias Church in the castle district,

The monument in the center is to those who died of the plague.

This is called the Fisherman's Bastion  Formerly the site of the fish market it is now rebuilt as a viewpoint overlooking the Pest side.

One view from the Fisherman's Bastion.

Another view with the Parliament in the distance.

This is the chain bridge and down beside it across the river is our boat.

The palace gate.

On the way back we passed these 60 pairs of metal shoes along the rivers edge.  They are a monument to those Jews who were killed here.  They were told to take off their clothes, shoes and valuables and then shot.

We were back on the ship for lunch and then went as a group for a stroll along the shopping street.  Unlike the rest of town, these stores were open on Saturday and attracted many tourists.

Leaving that area I found some interesting buildings.

I have no idea what they were.

Glorious in their day and still very grand looking.

These are all on the Pest side in the oldest area.

This window is kind of fun.  It is the laundry making it special.

St. Stephen.s Basilica, the third largest church in Hungary.

I went up into the dome of the church and came out at the level of the bell.

Here is one view from there.

They did have elevators but you had to climb these metal stairs for the last bit.

I didn't get to see the sanctuary because of a wedding but managed a picture of the couple.

They have nifty street art.

After supper we went to hear the Danube Symphony Orchestra, at the Danube Palace, with four other people from the cruise. What a perfect ending to a wonderful two weeks.

Tomorrow we pack up and move to a Budapest hotel for a few days.