Thursday today, woke up to sunshine and promise. Let’s see Bratislava! Thought we’d start with the castle first so meandered our way through the old old and up the hill to the castle. Everything is old and lots of renovations going on behind the facades. The architecture is basically a 3-4 stories block with a courtyard that is entered from the street through a large gate (or cars etc.) which has a small door in it for people. Inside it’s either residential or offices and shops (which are also facing the street. Groups of tradesmen wear the same coloured overalls (purple, green or blue) depending on the company they work for. People seem happy though and want to help despite the language barrier.
The castle was fairly plain (like a big house not a medieval castle) and not even square, but had great views of the city and across the Danube. There was a barge making slow headway against the current, which we’ll be doing tomorrow on the hydrofoil. Lots of school groups on excursions visiting the historic places with their teachers (bit like going to Sovereign Hill...). Walked back down behind the castle and found a nice cafe for a latte and listened to a bit of Pink Floyd.
Had a great hearty lunch at the U Jakubu (soup and a mains) and we all tried something different. It’s a self serve type of place but you do ask them to put what you want on a plate. It’s quite popular and there was a queue out the door when we arrived. Had to rest up for a while to let it all settle before heading of towards the river via the St. Elizabeth’s Church (Blue church and under renovation) and past the university down to the riverside. Past a playground that seemed to be secure - like one way in and one way out... Then back into the old part of town and the Slovak national theatre building. Found a nice park bench and relaxed for a while before heading down the Hviezdoslavovo nam (boulevard). Back past the big St. Martin’s Cathedral and found an art gallery that Asher had a wander through. Went to a nice looking cafe but heir coffee machine was ‘kaput!’ so went to a takeaway for a nice coffee and strudel nd sat in the late afternoon sun enjoying that watching the security working at the American Embassy. Did a big loop back to the hostel via the Grassalkovich Presidential Palace (complete with two guards in old-style costumes) and the gardens behind, as well walking down the Obchodna mall.
Had a short rest and a cuppa before heading out for a pizza and quick stop at Tesco for some breakfast supplies and a wander though the streets to se how things are lit up at night. Very nice! It was quiet and easy to walk in the mild weather (although past 10:00 pm) looking up at the buildings lit up to make them look a little like cardboard cutouts. Walking back down the boulevard munching our way through a bag of potato chips (the salt burning my lips just right) and enjoying the ambiance of the low murmur from the sidewalk cafes and the (just the right amount of) people enjoying the evening stroll. A very pleasant way to finish the day.
Walked and walked everywhere again (a pedometer would be working overtime, like smoking even) but it’s the best way to absorb the sights and smells and the public transport takes time too. Tired at the end of the day and the feet are sore but it’s all good.
The castle was fairly plain (like a big house not a medieval castle) and not even square, but had great views of the city and across the Danube. There was a barge making slow headway against the current, which we’ll be doing tomorrow on the hydrofoil. Lots of school groups on excursions visiting the historic places with their teachers (bit like going to Sovereign Hill...). Walked back down behind the castle and found a nice cafe for a latte and listened to a bit of Pink Floyd.
Had a great hearty lunch at the U Jakubu (soup and a mains) and we all tried something different. It’s a self serve type of place but you do ask them to put what you want on a plate. It’s quite popular and there was a queue out the door when we arrived. Had to rest up for a while to let it all settle before heading of towards the river via the St. Elizabeth’s Church (Blue church and under renovation) and past the university down to the riverside. Past a playground that seemed to be secure - like one way in and one way out... Then back into the old part of town and the Slovak national theatre building. Found a nice park bench and relaxed for a while before heading down the Hviezdoslavovo nam (boulevard). Back past the big St. Martin’s Cathedral and found an art gallery that Asher had a wander through. Went to a nice looking cafe but heir coffee machine was ‘kaput!’ so went to a takeaway for a nice coffee and strudel nd sat in the late afternoon sun enjoying that watching the security working at the American Embassy. Did a big loop back to the hostel via the Grassalkovich Presidential Palace (complete with two guards in old-style costumes) and the gardens behind, as well walking down the Obchodna mall.
Had a short rest and a cuppa before heading out for a pizza and quick stop at Tesco for some breakfast supplies and a wander though the streets to se how things are lit up at night. Very nice! It was quiet and easy to walk in the mild weather (although past 10:00 pm) looking up at the buildings lit up to make them look a little like cardboard cutouts. Walking back down the boulevard munching our way through a bag of potato chips (the salt burning my lips just right) and enjoying the ambiance of the low murmur from the sidewalk cafes and the (just the right amount of) people enjoying the evening stroll. A very pleasant way to finish the day.
Walked and walked everywhere again (a pedometer would be working overtime, like smoking even) but it’s the best way to absorb the sights and smells and the public transport takes time too. Tired at the end of the day and the feet are sore but it’s all good.
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