Learn a thing or two and have a laugh on the journey from Munich to Budapest

1. Rise and shine
2. Welcome to Munich, Germany
3. Munich Day 2
4. Munich to Budapest
5. Budapest Day 2
6. Budapest Day 3
7. Budapest Day 4

Rise and shine

The blaring of my alarm shattered the silence of the morning, and as I reluctantly opened my eyes, I wished they could just stay shut a little longer. Everything felt sluggish and hazy, thanks to a mere two hours of sleep. With a sense of urgency fueled by adrenaline, I scrambled around the top bunk, gathering my belongings like a frenzied squirrel preparing for winter. The dismount from the bunk bed narrowly avoided a clumsy tumble while descending the bunk bed ladder.

Once on solid ground, I moved quiet as a mouse half caught in a mouse trap, trying not to wake my slumbering bunkmates. Outside the room, under light that replaced my trusty phone torch, I performed a final check to ensure nothing essential was left behind. Satisfied, I set off through the cobbled streets in the general direction of the train station.

Along the way, the city began to awaken around me. Crossing paths with a steady stream of people making their way home from a night out, their movements graceful somewhat as they swayed in the darkness. It was a stark contrast to my own bleary-eyed self, a reminder that the world keeps turning even when you feel like you’re moving in slow motion.

Train station acquired, begrudgingly we found the right platform for the train. Meanwhile, my eyelids were practically begging to shut. The train arrived ahead of schedule, and we boarded, settling in for the first leg of our journey which would last about 2 hours. During those initial 2 hours, I must admit, I spent most of the time dozing off, only to be jolted awake by announcements, and then dozing off again in a never-ending cycle.

See now that break between paragraphs represents the transfer time between trains (smart I know). We had a brief 27 minutes to navigate the Düsseldorf (Germany) station and find our next train bound for Munich. Boarding this train, we anticipated a longer journey ahead – approximately 5 hours (allegedly).

Little did we know, the adventure was just beginning. As we settled into what we assumed were unreserved seats, a kind lady informed us (in German and then in English) that those seats were actually reserved, as indicated by the small electronic labels nearby – a good lesson learned.

Now I said allegedly 5 hours because this train journey had multiple delays along the way and so 5 hours turned into around 6 hours by the time we arrived. Lets just say with the lack of sleep I was feeling my brain felt like it was just an object with no purpose.

Welcome to Munich, Germany

With my backside in absolute pain from the uncomfortable seats in the second leg of the journey, the walk from the train station to the hostel was like heaven. Arriving at Wombats City Hostel felt like salvation. Finally reaching the entrance and unloading our cumbersome bags was pure bliss – there’s nothing quite like the freedom of shedding that burden and gearing up for some exploration.

After checking in and settling into our room, I’ll admit it didn’t quite match the glamorous images depicted online. But hey, isn’t that the standard experience? Nevertheless, it served its purpose as a functional base for our adventures (not “bass”).

With everything sorted, we ventured out into the sun, which was beating down with some aggression – a stark contrast from the weather in Amsterdam. Stepping out into Munich, we were immediately immersed in a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, with people bustling about everywhere. Where were we headed on this walk? Honestly, we were just making it up as we went along.

Our first stop happened to be the Palace of Justice. This imposing building rose from the ground, with intricately carved statues and decorative elements. It was a sight to behold amidst the lively streets of Munich, setting the stage for what promised to be an exciting day of exploration.

After our brief stop at the Palace of Justice, we continued our walk with good old Uncle Google guiding our way towards Munich Cathedral, a prominent landmark in the city. Along the route, we strolled through a bustling public plaza teeming with people. It seemed like the gates to people I would say.

As we navigated through this bustling scene, the crowd was thick, everyone milling about. Amidst the lively atmosphere, we encountered a street freestyle footballer showcasing impressive skills. Interestingly enough, this talented performer was still at it hours later when we passed through the plaza again. It was a testament to the vibrant street culture and energetic vibe of Munich.

Continuing our way, Munich Cathedral made itself known, appearing amidst the surrounding buildings. Its exterior was quite plain, constructed from red brick with only a few decorative features and two main spires topped with copper domes.

But once inside, the cathedral was a different story. While more minimalistic compared to other cathedrals in terms of mosaics and embellishments, it was still a masterpiece. The highlight was definitely the ceiling, as you can see in the images below. The interior featured elegant white columns rising to support a web-like ceiling structure, creating a mesmerising and awe-inspiring sight. The simplicity and grace of the design left a lasting impression, showcasing the timeless beauty of Munich Cathedral.

Right around the corner from Munich Cathedral, you’ll stumble upon the New Town Hall. Despite its name, this impressive building was actually opened in 1909. Maybe it’s just young at heart, who’s to judge? The New Town Hall boasts Gothic Revival style architecture, adorned with an abundance of decorative features that make it stand out from the surrounding buildings.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of all the elaborate decorations, but hey, to each their own. Who cares what I think, right? Let’s move on!

Oh, and before the night concluded, as we walked back, my eyes were greeted by a headless accordion player. Yes, you read that right. It was quite a cool little gimmick, providing some unexpected entertainment along the way (see images below of the New Town Hall and the accordion player). Sometimes it’s these quirky encounters that make a city truly memorable!

Munich Day 2

This morning kicked off with my cough ramping up and my nose joining in (thankfully, noses don’t cough). After a rough night’s sleep – thanks to some late-night yelling conversations echoing through the hostel – I dragged myself out of bed and flopped onto the ground. The day promised to be hot and sunny, and my body was already heating up before stepping into the sun. After breakfast, we ventured out under the blazing rays. Today’s plan was to explore some landmarks and must-sees, courtesy of Uncle Google’s recommendations.

Just a few steps outside the hostel, a German fellow approached us, saying something in German while laughing and singing a tune. I responded with the standard “sorry, English?” and this seemed to amuse him even more. He then remarked that he thought I was German and mentioned we reminded him of a German chant (or something along those lines). He followed up with the question: “Why on earth would you come to Munich of all places?” It got me thinking – we often criticise the places we live, only to miss them once we leave. Ah well, just a brief, localised interaction to start the day.

With my legs already pumping and sweat starting to bead, I spotted a chrome green beetle – it looked like it had just received a fresh new shell wrap because it was gleaming (yes, it was real!). Clinging to a leaf for dear life in the middle of the footpath, I made sure to step past it. Up ahead, we encountered a giant “O” – we had found “The Big O.” Not sure what its official name was, but “The Big O” seemed fitting. This accidental discovery made for quite the picturesque frame.

Moving onward from there, our first stop was a collection of Greek-style buildings known as Königsplatz Munich. These structures were straight out of Greece, complete with towering columns and the classic Greek architectural aesthetic. In this plaza, there were three different buildings: two identical ones and a third that was slightly different. Keep your eyes up here – no sneaking a peek just yet!

We decided to enter one of these buildings, which turned out to be a history museum showcasing Greek artefacts and findings. The entrance fee was a mere 1 Euro, a steal for what awaited inside. Amidst a sea of Greek clay pots, there were some items that truly piqued my interest. Greek armour and weaponry! The child inside me was ecstatic to see these artefacts firsthand after years of admiring them in pictures and books throughout my childhood. It was an unexpected and delightful surprise. After spending some time with my mouth half-open in awe, it was time to move on.

Continuing in the direction of the Court Garden, we stumbled upon a cenotaph rising from the ground, surrounded by tulips and lush green grass. The contrast of historical architecture and natural beauty made for a serene and picturesque scene. (see greek buildings and cenotaph below)

Approaching the Court Garden was a welcome change of pace. Walking under the canopy of trees, which filtered the harsh sun rays, was a breath of fresh air. The lush greenery was a sight for sore eyes. Munich, I must admit, is a city that boasts a decent amount of green spaces compared to some other European cities I’ve visited. Coming from a rural background, I find cities like Munich more relaxing as they offer a respite from the concrete jungles.

The Court Garden itself was a masterpiece of symmetrical design, which really satisfied my OCD side (we’ve all got one, right?). The meticulously planned layout and carefully maintained greenery provided a sense of order and tranquility amidst the bustling city. It was the perfect place to unwind and soak in the beauty of Munich’s blend of urban and natural elements.

As our legs continued to function (thank goodness), we encountered a group of people creating a TikTok video in the middle of the path. Another German fellow looked at us, shook his head, and muttered something while glancing disapprovingly at the TikTokers. Maybe it was my German-like appearance, but to this day, I still don’t know what he said. It was clear, though, that he wasn’t a fan of people making TikToks in public.

Just around the corner from this amusing encounter was the Munich Residenz Museum. Finding the entrance to actually enter the building turned into a bit of a quest that I’m still looking for to this day. I’m hoping it was just closed and not that I walked past it about 100 times, but hey, live and learn, right? Despite the entrance mishap, we still managed to explore the courtyard. Check out the video below for a glimpse.

You see those lines and decorative features on this building? Well, they’re actually just painted on. The building itself, without these embellishments, is quite plain. It goes to show how even paint can transform a boring concrete wall into something far more beautiful.

A few steps further led us to the National Theatre. Unlike the previous building, this one had no painted-on lines and was all-natural, so to speak. It boasted a striking statue out front, with large columns supporting the building, giving it a classic Greek look. It was quite striking amidst all the other German architecture in the area. The contrast between the painted-on details and the natural beauty of the National Theatre highlighted the diverse architectural styles found in Munich.

Following our exploration, we stopped for a late lunch, which unexpectedly led to our first encounter with a malfunctioning Eftpos machine, forcing us to withdraw cash. However, what I will say is this: the little Turkish shop right near the New Town Hall serves the best Turkish food I’ve ever had. They absolutely nailed the sauce-to-salad-to-meat ratio, creating the ultimate Turkish meal (at least in my eyes – apologies to you foodies out there who might have differing opinions!).

With our bellies full from the delicious Turkish meal, we decided to shop for snacks before our train journey to Budapest, Hungary (not hungry) the next day. However, we quickly discovered that in Munich, every supermarket is closed on Sundays except for a couple of rogue ones with an interesting selection of… well, nothing much. We decided to postpone our snack shopping until the morning.

Failing in our snack mission, we embarked on another adventure – this time back to the hostel to do some laundry and watch the Liverpool vs. Manchester United match. I won’t bore you with the laundry details, but suffice it to say that the washing was done and the football was watched.

Afterward, we realised that dinner was a necessity, so we ventured back into the dark streets of Munich. It wasn’t particularly terrifying since there was street lighting and all. Eventually, we stumbled upon a cozy restaurant and sat outside, enjoying people-watching while devouring a delicious pork schnitzel burger and potato salad, perfectly paired with a refreshing beer. Some may say there’s no better way to top off the day – and while others may disagree (and that’s okay), I’ll let it slide this once.

One last remarkable point to note about this day is how small the world can be! In our hostel, and even in our very dorm room, there was a chick from New Zealand – not just any part of New Zealand, but from Dunedin, just like us! And that’s not all – she was also traveling to Budapest tomorrow and would be staying at the same hostel there. It’s moments like these that remind us of the surprisingly small world we live in sometimes.

Munich to Budapest

Rise and… well, cough your way out of bed, throw on some clothes, and pack your bag for the next leg of the journey. After a speedy supermarket run to grab some food, barely making the checkout time of 11 am, we headed to the train station. Here, we were in for quite the wait – a two and a half-hour wait to be precise. Not overly fazed, we hung out in the train station until, well, my not-so-quiet coughing fit sounded like an old tractor revving up. The train, unfortunately, was delayed by about 30 minutes. This posed a problem because we had connecting trains to catch in both Salzburg (Austria) and Vienna (Austria).

Ignoring these impending issues for the moment, we eventually boarded the train. My first order of business? Being asked by a lady if I could help put her suitcase up in the rack for her. This led to another lady asking me the same question, to which I said no, leave me alone (didn’t say that of course). I happily obliged, feeling like my height finally had a practical use (humble brag).

The change at Salzburg was less smooth. With no internet service to check our location on maps and announcements not in English, all the words blended together. By the time we got off the train, our intended connection had long departed. Off to the information desk we went, where luckily we found another train not too far off that would take us straight to Budapest– even better!

On a side note, we passed through three countries in one day. Another noteworthy observation: the train journey through Austria was truly breathtaking. The landscapes were incredible, ranging from jagged snow-capped mountains to rolling hills and expansive plains. It was a picturesque journey that made the train delay and confusion worth it in the end.

As we walked through the dimly lit streets, Maverick City Lodge appeared in front of us like a beacon. The hostel looked promising from the outside, and that impression was confirmed the moment we stepped inside and were greeted by the exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. This positive vibe continued as we made our way to our room, which turned out to be super cozy and unique, with each bed resembling its own capsule for added privacy and comfort. The comfortable and inviting atmosphere of the hostel instantly made us feel at home and ready to enjoy our time in Budapest.

Hungry in Hungary, we stumbled upon a street food market just 70 meters from the hostel. Despite the late hour (around 9 pm), the market was bustling with people, which was a promising sign that the food must be good – and it definitely was worth it! Just take a look at it: homemade bread, a mouthwatering selection of meats, and fresh salads. It was ideal and hit the spot perfectly (see below).

Budapest Day 2

So, this day I woke up feeling like a train had rammed into me during the night, and my lungs seemed determined to cough up everything from the past decade. It was definitely time to visit the pharmacy and see what they could recommend. After asking the very helpful hostel reception for directions, they pointed me towards a pharmacy just 2 minutes away.

Dragging myself along, I entered the pharmacy and uttered the magic word, “English?” The response was a hesitant “little,” but I could work with that. Through a broken conversation where I explained my symptoms and what I had already tried, and she nodded in agreement without fully understanding, asking me if that was me speaking slow, so I slowed my speech to a crawl, and we finally started making progress. She suggested there wasn’t much she could do and gave me the address of a health centre in case things worsened.

After this, feeling like a sick superhero, I grabbed some breakfast and had a chat with both Mum (a nurse) and my brother Wilson (a doctor) about what they recommended. The consensus was rest and fluids, and if it got even slightly worse, to seek medical attention. I took their advice on board (thanks heaps to both of you) and, feeling great… decided to embark on a short walk before settling in for a day of rest.

First off, I have to say Budapest is an amazing place, filled with stunning architecture and rich culture, from the little I managed to see.

The plan was to take a short walk around some major attractions near the hostel, using a combination of trams and trains along the way. Now, a quick side note: if you’re in Budapest, I highly recommend downloading the BudapestGo app. This app functions similarly to Citymapper, allowing you to input a start and end point and providing a list of possible transport options, costs and their schedules. I also suggest purchasing a 2-3 day pass (or longer, depending on your stay) for public transport. Budapest is divided into Buda and Pest, and you’ll likely use a lot of public transport to get around, making this pass well worth the money.

During our walk, near the beginning, we stumbled upon Chimney Cake, a must try Hungarian treat. Naturally, we couldn’t resist. This one was the version without any fillings (although we later learned you could get them filled), and just the cinnamon coating was enough to satisfy my taste buds. It was absolutely delicious.

With our Chimney Cakes in hand and a towering Ferris wheel in sight, I devoured mine (the cake, not the Ferris wheel) as we made our way toward St. Stephen’s Basilica. Forget the Ferris wheel; this Basilica was a true work of beauty, adorned with domes and spires that left me itching to explore inside because the exterior was just the opening act.

After paying a small fee, I stepped into the Basilica, and wow, what a sight! Looking up at the domes was mesmerizing, not to mention the stunning mosaics scattered throughout, along with ancient works of art and decorative features. This place was simply incredible, and being inside filled me with awe and appreciation for the craftsmanship and history on display (see slideshow below).

Already starting to sweat for multiple reasons, we made our way to the parliament building after I checked to see if one of the statues was pregnant or not (an image of this somewhere below). We hopped on a couple of modes of transport using that handy pass and ended up at the impressive parliament building.

I would describe the parliament building as having a very clean exterior and being quite pleasing to the eye, especially with the large green areas in front of it. It was grand! That’s the word I’m after. Check out the slideshow of images below, and as a little teaser, I can tell you that this building looks absolutely stunning at night.

After mistakenly catching a tram in the wrong direction, we eventually made it back to near the parliament building. From the Pest side of Budapest, looking across at the Buda side (and no, I didn’t put the “pest” in Budapest!), the skyline is truly amazing. The camera doesn’t quite do it justice, but the mix of different buildings makes the skyline a captivating sight.

Situated on the edge of the River Danube on the Pest side are the Shoes on the Danube Bank. These shoes hold immense significance, representing the Hungarian Jews who were tragically shot on the banks of the Danube River by members of the Arrow Cross Party during the winter of 1944-1945. Knowing this history, it’s an eerie and somber feeling to look at these shoes facing the Danube river, a powerful memorial to those who lost their lives.

Day 2 in Budapest ended with a dinner of a Langos duck burger from the food market we had visited earlier. This was a fantastic recommendation from a friend (you know who you are, legend), and let me tell you, this recommendation did not disappoint as I chomped away.

Langos is a Hungarian traditional food, nowadays made as deep-fried flatbread, and it’s a must-try when you’re in Hungary and feeling hungry!

Budapest Day 3

Waking up and the train had come back for more but this time nothing extra (in other words wasn’t feeling worse but not better). With some people from Hostelworld, we decided to head to the Szechenyi thermal baths, located on the Pest side (the same side as our hostel). There are other baths on the Buda side, but these baths come highly recommended and are the more popular ones.

Purchasing an all-day pass seemed like the best option as we entered the building and changed into our swimwear (mankini for me). Stepping out into the bath area was interesting—the outdoor section featured three pools. In the middle was a swimming pool where swimming caps were mandatory, and on either side of this pool were two other pools, one hotter than the other (though they didn’t compare to Hanmer Springs in NZ). We opted to hang out in the slightly cooler one for a bit and met some of the people from Hostelworld. Here’s the diverse crew ingredient list: 1 Irish lad, 1 English lad, 1 French chick, 1 Belgian chick, and a couple of Kiwi blokes—mix them together, and you have a nice bunch of people (ourselves not included, of course).

After chilling under the sun for a while (oops), we decided to explore the indoor pools. These were quite interesting—after a few “human soups,” my skin started to prune. Going from hot to cold and back to hot again, followed by a sauna, seemed to temporarily alleviate my cough, which I certainly wasn’t complaining about. However, my skin was a bit pink from the combination of sun and water. After spending about 2 and a half hours here, we all decided it was time to leave as our stomachs began to grumble.

Wandering around with pruned skin, we all decided on a traditional Hungarian Langos lunch. This is the Langos with sour cream smeared all over it, topped with cheese, onions, ham, and salami. It was interesting to say the least…

Back at the hostel for a shower and some relaxation time, we were gearing up to meet everyone later at Gellert Hill Citadella to enjoy the city lights from above at night.

On the way to catching the bus, I stopped by a pharmacy once more. This time, they spoke perfect English and recommended a medication to help with the cough (which did help in the end, I think). On a side note, although I never had to use my health insurance to see a doctor, it’s the best feeling knowing it’s there just in case. Another side note: if you’re feeling sick when traveling, make sure you rest regardless of what’s going on (it’s worth it). Otherwise, the sickness will drag on and ruin more of the holiday. Thank you for listening to my TED talk.

The walk up to the Citadella provided some incredible views over Budapest, especially once we reached where everyone else was (the crew from the baths plus a few more people). It was pretty surreal looking over Budapest and seeing all the lights slowly turn on as the city transitioned from day to night. Joking around and watching this happen was a pretty neat moment, even if I got attacked by a bug mid-filming. Don’t worry, I captured the POV moment on camera.

A note: always remember to buy a ticket for transport. One member of our group didn’t and by chance someone was checking tickets so they coped a hefty fine.

Following this, naturally, our stomachs were crying out, and we made our way to a traditional Hungarian spot for dinner. I had a chicken paprikash here, another Hungarian traditional dish that really hits the spot and is highly recommended. The waitress at this spot was… interesting… It started with being handed drinks menus, and when someone asked if we could have the dinner meal, it was met with a loud sigh. Then after eating, she informed us we could not split the bill, even though one member of our group had already paid separately. Anyway, I’m being a boomer; she probably had a long day, and the food was divine, so can’t complain.

From here, we moved to look for a bar, during which we stumbled across a karaoke bar playing some top bangers, I must say. This enticed us in and got the singing pipes blasting and my cough rattling because of this, which I found Sprite to be a good band-aid for. This allowed me to continue a little longer before I called it and headed back to the hostel to continue resting.

Budapest Day 4

Still reading? Well if you are book a psychology examination because I am impressed.

Do you like castles? If thats a no, I won’t argue with you. Today we decided to venture to Vajdahunyad Castle (I’m glad I just had to type it). Teleporting to the castle was a little underwhelming, it was cool but a little lacklustre, but thats just my opinion. The surrounding buildings we accidentally stumbled across I found far more interesting.

The House of Music was an unexpected find during our walk, just after visiting the castle. It was truly groovy and unlike anything I had ever seen before. Describing it doesn’t do it justice, so I’ll let the images speak for themselves.

Similarly, we came across another intriguing building that I vaguely remember from the architecture course years ago —the Liget Budapest Visitor Centre & Museum of Ethnography. This grand structure emerges from the ground, featuring a memorial in the centre and offering sweeping views from rooftop gardens that you can ascend to. Exploring these architectural wonders was a highlight of my day.

We hopped on some more transportation, not teleportation this time, and made our way to Fisherman’s Bastion—a famous monument bustling with tourists, including myself. It offered stunning views over Budapest and even had a mighty Starbucks nearby (if you’re into that), which came in handy for lunch. While hanging out there, you can also check out Matthias Church, a seriously beautiful church. Now, you might be wondering why I skipped Buda Castle. Well, I’m planning to return around Christmas with my parents and wanted to save some experiences for that trip, especially since I was still not feeling great.

This was followed up with a visit to the Light Museum later that afternoon to pass the time before the cruise. Let me tell you, it’s worth the money, and if you’re in Budapest, you have to give it a go. Full of interactive and mind-boggling displays, it was awesome. (See video below)

This day wrapped up with a night cruise down the river. We arrived earlier than recommended, but the line was still huge—yet so were our expectations, so it was all good. As we neared the front of the line, we realised our tickets were actually booked for the next day. Determined to see the cruise that night before our departure, Matt pulled a sneaky move, covering the date with his finger when the guy checked our tickets. We made it in, maybe in someone else’s seats, but we were in!

The night cruise was incredible, offering the breathtaking views of the city at night that we were craving. I did notice that some people lacked self-awareness when taking pictures from the cruise—bumping into others or hogging certain spots. Thankfully, we managed to avoid these situations and had a fantastic cruise experience overall (see image slideshow below).

Now thats a big old post so if you’ve made it here you get to know that the next post starts the morning in Budapest with a treat and then a political filled bus ride to Serbia…

You thought that was the conclusion? Well, basically it was. Once back, we headed out to Ruin Bars, a collection of bars in one building not far from our hostel. There, I drank down a pint of apple juice (treating my body like a temple while sick) and met up with some other people from Hostelworld. We had some interesting conversations, with many people using Budapest as a pitstop on work trips. After a bit, I disappeared back to the hostel because, again, my body is a temple…

Thanks for reading