Nyirbator

Sunday May 29

This morning we woke up to beautiful sunshine and while it was not really warm, it is certainly warmer than Melbourne.  Daniel drove us into Nyirbator which is about 10 minutes away, in search of a music festival that he'd read about on the net.  However, we didn't manage to find it so we had a good walk around the town anyway.

Then what was supposed to be a quick visit to the supermarket turned out to be longer than planned.  So many different products to look at, not to mention wine made from local grape varieties.

When we got home we went over to the church again as it wasn't open when we went yesterday.   The iconostasis was magnificent and the decoration over the walls and ceiling were amazing.

Iconostasis

Ceiling

Icon of the Weeping Black Madonna of Mariapocs

Later in the afternoon we went back into Nyirbator to visit the Dragon spa.  It is a hot mineral spring complex with both indoor and outdoor pools.  We soaked in an indoor pool with a temperature set at 34 degrees so it was very pleasant.  In the middle of the pool was a column with 3 water spouts at a height of about 7 feet.  Two of the nozzles were about 10 cm wide and 1cm deep and the other one had an ordinary round tap outlet but the water came out at speed.  I couldn't stand under the  round outlet nozzle as the water hurt when it hit my shoulders.  But the other ones were great - a really good shoulder massage.

Early to bed again tonight as we seem to be still catching up on our sleep.

After 19 hours travelling.....

we finally landed in Ferighy Airport in Budapest.  The first hop was Melbourne to Doha non-stop - 14 hours flying time.  The time passed relatively quickly especially as we both slept for about 6-7 hours.  This was made easier as we were seated in the over-the-wing exit row so it meant we had no-one in front of us (thanks Dune).  I'd definitely fly Qatar Airways again as the flight attendants were great and the food was excellent.  Added to that we took off 10 minutes early as everyone was on board and ready to go.

We had a two hour stop in Doha but by the time we were de-planed and got through to our departure gate, we didn't have long to wait.  A four hour flight then to Bucharest where most of the people got off.  We then waited on the ground on the plane for 40 minutes before we continued on to Budapest. 

Picture taken from the plane on take-off from Bucharest

Daniel and Amanda were waiting to meet us and then drove us for 2 and a half hours back to their place.  It was funny walking into a place that I'd seen so often on Skype and so was quite familiar really.  We went for a walk after tea to have a look at the school where Daniel and Amanda work, plus of course the church which is right next door to where they live.

Daniel and Amanda's school

Church

Stork on a pole

Mariapocs post office

We managed to stay awake until 8pm but by then my mouth was disconnected to my brain and I was talking rubbish so I was well and truly ready for bed.  We both slept really well although I was awake at 4:20am as it was broad daylight and the birds were singing.  We are about to go out now to Nyirbator and then will see what the day brings.

Nothing to see here ........ we haven't left yet!