Trip to the former Austro-Hungarian Empire - Day 8

All good things must come to an end. On the last day of my trip it was high time to cross the Danube to the Buda side and visit the Royal Palace. But first I would like to check out the local Chinese restaurant.

My choice of eatery is between Taiwan or Hong Kong restaurant. In the end I picked the latter because it allows me to get out of the usual tourist area by taking the Yellow City Tram

Taking the Yellow City Tram for the first time, with regular Hungarians

The entrance to Hong Kong restaurant is kind of hidden because it doesn't face the main street. But you won't miss the sign of China Trade Information Center next door when you get off the tram

Entrance to the restaurant

It appeared my two options of Chinese restaurants actually have the same owner

Sweet & Sour soup. it is a bit lukewarm though

Yeung Chow fried rice (揚州炒飯), people who know me long enough will know that this is my default choice of rice plate

The food of the restaurant is only so-so and the place has the smell of sterile alcohol that you would likely found in the 80s mainland hotels, when China just opened its market. However, the big plus of going to this restaurant is to see where everyday Hungarians live. 

Now it is time to get back to my tourist schedule by visiting the Royal Palace (Budavári palota)

Taking bus 16 from Pest to cross the bridge to Buda Hill. The castle is on top of the hill and the bus will only drop you at the tunnel

You can go up the hill by taking the Castle Hill Funicular (Budavári Sikló) 

The possible inspiration for the caricaturized aerial tram in "A Grand Budapest Hotel"?

It was just luck that the funicular was out for maintenance. So I have no choice but to take the hike (for about 50 meters) . For better or for worse, I just happened to catch the change of guard when I reached the Royal Palace at the top

Royal Palace

Royal Palace

Liberty Statue

Széchenyi Chain Bridge during the day

Finally, as a grand finale of my vacation, I decided to be somewhat extravagant by joining the Budapest Candlelit Dinner Cruise Legenda on Danube. The cruise offers a flat dinner package price that includes four courses or a basic cruise fee and pay as you order from their À La Carte menu. I chose the latter since I imagine a 4-course meal will be too much for me

Legenda sightseeing boat at Dock 7 of the Danube

Candlelit dinner cruise on the Legenda

Live music on the Legenda

Cruise dinner appetizer - Foie gras (cold goose liver)

Cruise dinner main course - Duck Breast with Rosemary in Red Wine Sauce

Cruise dinner dessert - Panna Cotta

Széchenyi Chain Bridge at night

Mátyás Church

Under the Margaret Bridge

Országház - Hungarian Parliament Building at night

Church of St. Anne

Buda Calvinist Church

After an enchanting two and half hour cruise on Danube, my eight days of Austro-Hungarian trip has fruitfully completed. Here I'm concluding my travelogue with a video clip of my Danube cruise while I was on Legneda