We left Andante (our hotel) around 2030 for the train station. The train station looked like the PUTRA line near Pudu. You expect something spanky clean with food kiosk and plenty of seats but you won’t get them here. Though it is to be pointed out that the train station undergoing renovation thus the dodgy look.

So around 2105 we went to board the night train. Excited excited. Then the bombshell dropped! The train will stop in Sturovo – it won’t be going into the Budapest as there was a strike going on in Budapest. At this time – the mind was racing with a few options. And in this moment of madness, we met another couple (French guy and Malaysian lady) who was also going to Budapest. We discussed options with A (I can’t spell his name) and Peggy (from Penang) and decided to stop at Sturovo (Slovakia) and find our way into Hungary.

We chatted for a bit. Went to bed – very clackity clack the train as it seemed to have stopped a million times. We got breakfast (paid) and finally reached Sturovo. At Sturovo – fortunately they seemed to have gotten wind of the train strike in Budapest – there was a bus to Budapest. Each ticket costs 10€. So we got on it and finally reached Budapest.

We parted with A & Peggy at Budapest and made our way to our hotel, Budapest Central Musuem, which was directly opposite the Budapest National Museum. This hotel is super small (7 rooms) and breakfast is sent directly to your room as they don’t have a dining room. It comes with free internet access and heated floors. On the last day, the room was super hot and I had to open the window to allow cool air to flow in. It’s cheaper compared to Prague.

Budapest is a lovely city. It is big, huge and getting lost is generally easy compared to Prague. Perhaps the Prague map is more detailed compared to the Budapest ones.

We went on a Danube Bend tour – taking us to Szentendre, Esztergom, Visegrad and back to Budapest. The view up the hills in Visegrad of the Danube was just awesome. Me think me in the mountains and hills mood.

The next day we took the Budapest free tour. Worth it because we have a local guide (Hungarian) doing the tour and telling us tales, facts and good places to have food. Though we weren’t able to do that, it was great to ask her about the communist era, why are Hungarians noted for being pessimistic, why only the first 2 Kings were canonized, how’s the situation like in Budapest and so much more.  The tour took us to St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Buda Castle, Josef something statue (an Austrian), who did the town beautification, in front of the ministry of finance, the river banks, and Szechenyi Bridge.

After the tour, we went for the Szechenyi bath. It was not crowded as I can imagined what crowded is like. Great place to soak yourself and get the rest of the amenities. We started at the 26⁰C pool, then jumped into the 28⁰C outdoor pool. There was steam coming from this pool once in contact with the cold air. Went back in to the 28⁰C indoor pool. Had a bit of sauna (it is not good to sauna with your swimming suit on). Then decided to leave for Gerhaud for tea and cakes.

The Hungarians can rival anyone in the pastry industry. The cakes and cookies are absolutely fabulous. We had 4 different types of pastries at Gerhaud. Pricey place but this is once in your lifetime thing. Poppyseed crescent, Gerhaud cake, Sour cherry cake and Marzipan cake. Delicious. Gerhaud marked the end of your trip to Budapest.

Overall, it was unforgettable but if I were given a second chance, I think I would have stayed longer in Budapest. Budapest is so relaxing, slow-paced, good pastries with coffee, which is what a vacation should be about.

Pictures here and here.

The trip started off from Prague to Sturovo and finally Budapest.

I have heard and read so much about the charm of Eastern European countries and wasn’t let down in the least when we (hubby and me) spent lovely 8 days there.

I slept about 3 hours on the day we were leaving – needed to complete and turn in my 2^nd CC assignment.

On a side note – hubby was really understanding the first 2 weeks. He did loads for me which I am thankful and grateful. Muaks.

We landed in Czech Republic and headed into Prague.

Prague is small and looks gorgeous during the night time.  The lovely alleys give the town its mystery and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Had the traditional Czech fare – meat and dumplings. The dumplings are not the usual Chinese dumplings instead are round and looks like patties. The portion is huge, after a while I actually missed eating sandwiches and fruits (something light and non-greasy).

We stayed 300 meters from Wenceslas Square and to get to our accommodation, we had to pass Cabaret establishments. It was interesting to see different towns use different ‘attractions’ to lure tourist to spend their dollars. There were plenty of gambling establishments dotting Prague.

We had Plisner Urquall and Becherovka (herb vodka). Jerry (our tour guide to Cesky Krumlow) told us that these two alcoholic beverages aid digestion. I certify the above statement is true because before meeting Jerry, I went to the WC 4 times to detox myself. Jerry mentioned the doctors recommend drinking Plisner Urquall to help with any digestive ailments.

This part of the trip was slightly marred by the news of my assignment marks. Was really shot down but I had excellent advice from a wonderful person.

We visited Cesky Krumlow – a UNESCO heritage site. Cesky Krumlow is a picturesque town. I wasn’t much ‘oohhhing’ and ‘aahhiinnng’ over the towns as I have encountered a brilliant old town in Estonia. But the castle in Cesky Krumlow is something. It has a great theatre which was not open during the off season. It was this theatre that brought the UNESCO to declare Cesky Krumlow as a heritage site. The theatre is preserved in all its former glory. There is a rotating stage in this theatre as well and only 200 people are allowed to enter per day during the on-season.

We had an interesting encounter in Cesky Krumlow. As we were walking towards the castle (very near the side of the road), we were nearly knocked down by a reckless driven van. Jerry said something, and the driver of the van came down to confront him. An argument broke out. Jerry took out his paralyser. He stung the driver as the driver was about to throw a punch. Exciting stuff this - then a police car came by and the driver complained to the police about Jerry. Then a few more sentences were being exchanged - Jerry walked off. Phew!

Did I mention that Jerry only took both of us on this particular tour. We slightly deviated from the original route. We stopped at Budweis, Cesky Krumlow, the route near the Austrian borders, to Pisek and back to Prague.

There is a long story of how Budweiser (American beer) got its name. It seems an American patented the brand from this town in Czech about 4 – 7 years earlier compared to its Czech counterpart. Ever since then, there are lawsuits going around on using the “Budweiser” brand. In Czech it is known as Budweiser Budwar and marketed outside as Czechwar.

There were plenty of small chapels leading to the countryside where pilgrims stopped to pray and it was a way to spread Christianity to its people a long long time ago.

We were supposed to see a magnificent view of the countryside near the Austrian borders but the fog was coming in fast and quick, so as compensation we stopped at Pisek to stand on the oldest bridge in Eastern Europe in Pisek. It is I think 3 years older than the Charles Bridge in Prague. And this bridge has statues of Christian saints and martyrs. There were either erected due to (a) spreading Christianity or (b) to mark the Black plague.

Jerry told us about the story of Bohemia, how it got ‘liberated’ by the Russians, how it separated from Czechoslovakia and what‘s the current situation in the country. It is quite interesting to hear stories from a local as we get to hear the stories behind the ritz and glamour.

The orchestra from a renown university in Prague - free in a church.

We left for Budapest on an overnight train where it is to be continued…

Check out the pictures here!

Went to Manchester.

Had a wonderful time.

Reading for CC assignment.

Saw Old Trafford up close.

Join the throng for the game.

Beers, Butties and Banners.

Swore like a drunken sailor.

Atmosphere was electric.

See them here and here.

First of all, hats off and a BIG round of applause for Yvonne and Ruby for coordinating the school visit for us, 55 TESOL students, *clap clap* *wolf whistles*.

Our school visits lasted over a period of 2 days. I attended a Scottish state-run secondary school – Forrester High. The journey took about 30 minutes bus ride but with Ruth at the wheel of the bus, I think we could probably shorten the duration to about 15 minutes.

We (Patty, Ruth and me) had a slippery first day. Despite all the hands flapping action by Ruth, it was yours truly that faced the sky twice. It wasn’t on the way to school but on the way back to Edinburgh.  The first one was at the side gate of the school and the second was at the bus stop. One minute I was looking at Ruth, the next I was looking at the grayish sky. The first fall was a wee bad – I tore one side of me trousers, but I didn’t see any tear in my thermal trousers but when I came home, there was a bleeding lump. Not to worry, it is alright now.

Forrester High is really interesting. They have kids from 12 up till 18.  Something like what we have back home – from F1to F6. Instead of observing a language class, I only got to see a modern language – French class in action (S1). The modern language subjects (French and German) are taught by rotation, meaning one year is French and the next year is German, students will follow through with the same language till S3 or if they wish till Advanced Higher level.

I sat in Maths, Biology and Physics as well. So what did I learn from non-language classes. I learned that all subjects need scaffolding, students and teachers are the same (comparative to Malaysia environment), the education system is also exam-oriented but the difference I noticed is the communication channel between students and (certain) teachers. Students at this school have different width of communication channel with the teachers. It was positive to observe teachers allowing students to state opinions, suggestions and disagreements – and not slagging them if their ideas or answers are wrong. 

There is this teacher, Mr B, which I find really charming. He is not a young strapping lad playing shinty (but I bet he can hold his own) but is a year away from retiring. He was a great host and is head of the Maths department. Not only that, he incorporates different subjects – ranging from general science, geography and general knowledge – into Maths. I think a lacking criteria in most teachers in Malaysia (during my time) is the knowledge to explain a certain theory or application. I found out all teachers here provide the explanation of each theory e.g. the formula of counting energy of capacitor or how this formula in Maths came about which provides good foundation for students. I was thinking if I actually understood why THIS happened, I think I wouldn’t be a teacher instead I could be rolling in big bucks in the engineering world but then I would miss out on my TESL family, my @ family, my travel bug, my hubby, and meeting wonderful people in Edinburgh (especially the TESOL family and friends) something which I wouldn’t want to trade for in this world.

Look at the pictures here!

I would finally be able to tick this off my bucket list.