Yoga with a View

No better way to start out the morning then a yoga class and cup of coffee overlooking the beautiful cliffs at Bon Port.

Wimbledon

We took the 7am flight to London and went directly to Wimbledon to jump right into line.  After quite a few friendly notices that "you will be in line for numerous hours" and "don't expect to get in until late afternoon" we decided to drop our luggage off at the hotel and make the most of our day in the big city before returning to line later on that evening.

Wimbledon watching from a pub IN London with a pint was the second best option.

Gearing up for the Olympics

A piano lesson with a view

The Tate Modern Museum

Back in line by 3:30, we took shifts sitting/reading and standing/listening to podcasts.  The weather was dreadful but didn't scare off enough people.

Inside the grounds by 5:00, not too terribly bad.

Live jazz music next to the champagne bar.

 Court 5- Men's doubles

Court 6-  USA (the #1 womens doubles team) played an Australia team.  It was supposed to take place on court 3 (ticket only) but got bumped due to weather conditions cancelling play earlier in the day. It was an amazing and super close match.  USA won!

Meanwhile, Roger Federer was just barely holding on in Centre Court, playing Julien Benneteau.

Saturday morning Josh flew back to the states and I got to enjoy some extra time in London.  I strolled through Kensington and into Holland Park.



Party Time

Before my fellow American friend Ann moved back to the states, we had to celebrate her birthday in style in the Garden Suite at St Pierre Park.  Lots of "pink fizz," sunshine and dancing.

Budapest

We met up with our Dallas Parisians in Budapest over the Queens Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.  Always good to see a familiar faces and travel with friends! We hit the ground running as soon as we got there and didn't stop for 3 days.  Luckily, we timed it perfectly...the weekend was full of wine, beer and music festivals scattered all over the city.

We started by touring Pest

 St Stephen's Basilica

 Parliament

A quick stop at the beer/music festival at Erzsebet ter Park.  We enjoyed the local beer, just couldn't pronounce it.

 And another stop at the wine festival- each little hut was a different vendor.  There were 23 in total, all from little Hungarian wine makers and growers.

 Dinner at the Wine Kitchen, which led to the below...

 ...not how we planned our 1st night in Budapest to end. The walnut bread gave Josh a run for the money.  Although it is safe to say, it definitely contributed to our LACK of hangover the next morning.

 

The next day we walked the high fashion streets of Pest...

 along the Danube...

 over the famous Szechenyi Chain/Lanchid Bridge (windy day)...

 and into the hilly Buda side of the city. 

 Buda Castle

 Exploring Castle Hill

 Matthias Church

Buda Castle

View of St Stephens Basilica and Parliament from the castle

We made a quick stop at the Hilton Hotel, tried to deflect the boys from any sports watching opportunities, and made our way into the castle walls where they have a wine cellar.

There were no openings at the Hilton, so we walked across the street to the 6th largest cellar in Europe, Hungarian World of Wines, and enjoyed a tour and 3 glasses for about $1.50.  Gotta love the prices!

 Back at the apartment, the boys found a way to sneak in an NBA game

 and then we were off to the Opera House to see Beauty & the Beast, in Hungarian

The next day we checked out Szechenyi baths- the first spa of Pest.  Made up of 15 thermal pools, dipping pools, heat chambers and saunas.  The building was built around the baths in 1913.

After another great meal at Fausto's, we met up with Chad's friend Zsuzsi and she took us on a never ending bar crawl that consisted of far to many palinkas (the flavored Hungarian shot).

Cheers to an amazing city with incredible history.

Stogners- another great trip for the books.  What's next?