It was actually a little bit later than usual departure for today, which was welcomed. Breakfast and then on the coach to Castle Hill for a tour of the "Hospital in the Rock." Underneath Castle Hill in Buda is a labyrinth of caves. The caves had been used as a secretive place for storage of supplies for centuries, but after WWI, they become an important part of the civil defense system as a shelter in case of air raids or chemical weapons. When WWII broke out in 1939, the caves served as an extension of the surgical hospital and then as a haven during the siege of Budapest. It was opened again as a hospital during the Revolution of 1956 and again during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1963. A fascinating tour led us through the hospital. Unfortunately, we could not take photos inside.
In the "you have to have patience when a program director" department, our coach could not get through the construction and we were a bit delayed getting back to the boat. Lukas was so calm (at least outwardly) as he dealt with police, coach drivers, and the restless group he accompanied. It was a beautiful morning and there was a nice breeze so it really wasn't such a hardship to look over the city as we waited.
Back to the boat just in time for lunch which was a delicious fish soup, beef goulash with spaetzle, and a take on a banana split.
After lunch, the program directors set up an additional excursion to the Dohány Street Synagogue. It is the largest synagogue in Europe and the 3rd largest in the world. It is atypical in that it has a dome and is really in the shape of a cruciform church. The seating capacity is about 3000 people with the men sitting on the main floor and the women in the galleries above. All the men were requested to wear hats, but if you didn't have one, a yarmulke was provided, albeit a paper one as modeled by Charles!
Behind the synagogue was the Cemetery of the Martyrs, a resting place of many mass graves, for those who died in the Pest ghetto. Through the cemetery i s the Monument of the Hungarian Jewish Martyrs, a steel weeping willow tree on whose leaves are inscribed the names of the victims.
Back through the cemetery we then went to the Hungarian Jewish Museum. The collection in this museum consists of many articles that date back to 1896, as well as those that had been hidden during WWII. Among the artifacts were a Torah Wall rug and the largest Torah finials.
Back to the ship for a time to get organized and packed. We will be transferring to a hotel in Budapest tomorrow for the remainder of our stay.
It was the Captain's Farewell Dinner tonight. Before dinner we were treated to a song by the crew, and the last port talk given by the program directors. All three directors were just wonderful and went out of their way to give us advice and make us feel welcomed.
Dinner tonight was Tete de Moine with Coburger Ham, Tortellini pasta, Lemon sherbet, Filet Mignon with a sauteéd prawn, and a flaming Baked Alaska (which I did not capture on camera as they were being brought into the dining room).
After dinner we did a scenic sail to see the lights of Budapest. Just breathtaking!
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