Today we went over to the Buda side to the area we were partially shown around on the tour from our ship the day we arrived. The weather was much better than on the previous visit and we had a look at places we had not visited. These places were the old Royal Palace (which is now called the Budapest National Gallery) and the "Hospital in the Rock". But first we stopped in to one of the Ruined Pubs for lunch; Koleves Kert (Stone Soup Garden).

The pub did not look so ruined although it had a lot of old stuff throughout it and interesting chandeliers made from wine glasses. The food was good and there was a list on the wall of everything that would not be found in their food including pork, preservatives, artificial anything, MSG etc. Food, beer and wine was good.

Took a taxi up to the palace as we had a bit to get in before everything closes. Many things do not open on Sunday and those that do close earlier than usual. The palace was huge but is now a number of museums a couple of which were open but we did not go in any of them. Out the front of the palace we got our first good non misty view of the Pest side. We also got a good look at the bird statue which is called the Turul, a mythical bird which is a mixture of an eagle and a falcon.

We then headed up towards the Fishermans Bastion, the Buda Castle and Matthias Church where we had been taken during our walking tour a few days earlier. This time we deviated off to the left and down the hill a bit to the Hospital in the Rock where we did a one and a quarter hour tour. Basically there are natural caves that formed in rock under the Castle and houses in the area. Originally these were inhabited. In the 1930s they were investigated and mapped out by the city.

During the early years of WWII it was decided many of these would be expanded by joining and lining them to make access easier and usable. This included putting in electricity, ventilation and a sewage system. The initial purpose was as a bomb shelter but as the fortunes of war changed and the Soviets neared (the Sieige of Budapest) it was turned into a triage hospital under the auspices of the Red Cross. Later it became a fully functioning hospital until the wars end. During the Hungarian revolution in 1956 it was controlled by the rebels and again used as hospital until that revolt ended.

The next use was in the 70s when it was used for Secret things by the Soviets. This information was not elaborated on. It was also then modified to be a nuclear bunker. All the anti radiation kits, medical instruments etc are all there. They also have lots and lots and lots of dummies throughout covered in bandages weeping with blood. Unfortunately these were not necessary and made the museum look a bit tacky! Not allowed to take any pictures of course.

Back to the apartment and out to dinner for our farewell dinner together as we leave for Athens tomorrow. We went to the Menza restaurant which was exceptional.

We have really enjoyed Budapest and will be back. It's a bit run down but based on their history and recent past it is probably lucky to exist as it is. Give it time and it will be back to its bits. The people are great and there is lots to see. Young people seem to like it a lot also especially the batchelor and hen parties out froim the UK.