Architecture & History

Budapest Architecture is something else...

it does not matter were you look..

you even have to look up and up!!!

See what I mean!!

We were heading for the Synagogue through all the back streets.

This was not what I was expecting with Christian influence,

Moorish ceilings.

This is the second largest Synagogue in the world,

second to New York, but can seat more worshipers. 

Pulpits with Star of David canopies.

And out the back the Memorial Tree.

(Thanks A&A)

Each leaf on this Weeping Willow steel tree carries the name of 

a victim of the Holocaust.

Tony Curtis (the Actor) set up the Emmanuel Foundation to set this area up.

With modern art to show the fires and the snake...

can you see the snake.

On a lighter note.. Stephen went to the loo..

he had a few questions when he came out!?

This whole area is very emotional..

Below is the Cemetery.

Long story and very sad, infuriating, emotional

and a lot of other feelings.

Basically the Germans starved the Jews.

The Synagogue is not normally a cemetery but

in 1945 2281 where incarcerated within the walls.

We had to leave the tears where just flowing down our cheeks..

How can human beings do these things..

sorry did I say Human.

Double click on the above to read...

On a lighter note again...Easter is coming..

The stalls are all being set up for the Spring Festival.

Then we met this lovely lass...

always wanted a go on one of these..

Have to say I got the hang of this better than Stephen!!!!

(He is saying B..l S..t)

Then a quick look at some retail outlets..

this one had some very interesting Architecture..

.....and some pretty good designs.

I hate this photo but Stephen insists (as he has a tendency to do) that it stays in..

this is a Merino and Silk hat..that did not suit me!!!

(I think she looks like a grown up Gumnut Baby. S)

Street shots and street art.

Old reflected in the new.

And intricate gates that where everywhere.

Budapest Day 1

After a drive through the bowels of Budapest

with our Crazy Driver we arrived at the Sofitel Chain Bridge

Our 20 min. wait for the room was 45min.

When we finally got in, it had 2 single beds & stank of smoke....

A gentle complaint had us down the hall ( better view ) 

and a Queen size bed !!

Now this is a 5 * Hotel.

As we left for our walk this Gent was outside playing...

Beautiful !

I decided  not to "test the water"

This is one big River !

Behind me is the famous Chain Bridge.

Designed by William Tierney Clark 

and built by Adam Clark (not related) a Scottish Engineer 

and started in 1839 and finished in 1849.

It is based on an earlier bridge designed by William Clark

 over the Thames in Marlow, England.

Alison standing at the end of the chain...

Well I had to take it just then didn't I !

As we walked across "The Love Locks" started to appear.

As we got to the other main pier

they started to disappear.

These guys were cutting them off with a big pair of 

bolt cutters!!!! 

This beautiful crest of The Kingdom of Hungary

from 1880 at the bottom of the Buda Castle Palace.

We were told by the hotel concierge that the cable car was not working...

Guess what it was working, just as well!

The view from the top looking at The Sofitel

We're in the middle 2 floors from the top.

From the top of the cable car looking down stream.

Now that's an entrance !

The view improves as it gets dark.

The old and the new, with a modern walk way.

Some of the other bridges that joined the cities of 

Buda & Pest...

Yes it was cold but not frosty.

And it got darker 

And the lights got brighter

The Parliament Building looks great at night.

The Chain Bridge...just for something different.

The lights just got better

Then it was time for dinner..

but just up Zrynyl (St?) with it's bells a ringing

Saint Stephen's Basilica..

Back to the hotel..

not every hotel has one of these !

and it's just flying outside our door.

The Rest of BMW Day

Well after a fair bit of underground frigging about 

we finally arrived at BMW welt.

One of the first things that caught our eye was the 

Isetta.

As we were early for the tour, we went for a wander

around this incredible centre.

Below is the Electric Supercar the i8. 

As we came down the little Isetta started doing 

"bog laps" & picking up passengers!

Great.

From there the tour went over the Strasse to the Museum.

Looking back to the Olympic Tower over part of 

BMW Welt.

We'd arrived at my goal!

This is a computer controlled sculpture of 

moving balls that eventually takes the shape of a car.

Ted came too!

Some of you may remember Ted from our previous trips

He loves cars...

In this case an M1.

Nelson Piquet's 

Williams BT 52.

A replica Kamm Tailed 328 that won the Mille Milga.

A hugely famous RaceCar. 

The chronology of the 3 Series, but starting with 

the 02..

The goal for me was to see the Art Cars.

There were 4 on display,

 but we'd already seen 2 of them in Sydney in 2004sh.

Now the car that started me off on this BMW obsession in 1978

was an Inca Orange 2002tii...

Below an Inca Orange 2002ti.

Some of you will know the difference.

Tom the tour guide with another Isetta

with luggage basket.

Alison insisted on this.

Me with 3 of my favourite Art Cars..

L to R

Calder, Stella & Lichtenstien.

A Z4 Coupe perhaps?

The Kamm tail again, just because!

The 4th Art Car a 635csi

By Rauschenberg.

Not one of my favourites but great to see.

Chronology of the badges.

A BMW K1 my favourite bike !

The BMW turbo of 1972

inspiration for the M1, and the beginning of the "Turbo Era"

An ultra rare 850ci convertible.

More of "you know what"

They also had a fantastic Mini collection.

This tickled my fancy...I still prefer T&T !!!

The front of the Turbo

painted in Orange to Red.

From there it was a walk through "the factory"

where the 3 series are made.

Sadly a Million steps

and no cameras....

Looking back to BMW headquarters 

In front is a Hydrogen filling station !

Corner of the factory. It's huge.

Last one,

 in the Delivery area..

I loved the sculpture of The Headers!

At the end Tom announced 

"you've all walked 5 kms"

How Alison coped is beyond me...

Thank you My Love!!!!

From there back into town & an early dinner.

Nordsee a great Fish shop / Restaurant.

Half a grilled Lobster & Cod in a lovely sauce....

And a bottle of white to wash it down!

Alison enquiring about the Mussels as we were leaving.

Then back into Marienplatz

to have a play with the ultra wide zoom.

I love this lens!

How she can still walk & smile is amazing!!!

We walked past this Cathedral 

Loved the origami doves!

A couple more shots.

And last but not least...

 

It's now 5.16 am we've got a flight to Budapest

@ 11.30 am

I'd better try & get back to sleep!!!!!