It's Friday, our last day in Bratislava. We must check out of our hotel by 10 am and our train leaves at 3:50 pm. The hotel allows us to store our backpacks and we walk into the Old Town to an Irish pub that advertises an Irish Breakfast. We arrive just as they open and are the only people in the place during much of our meal. The staff uses the quiet time to decorate for Halloween.
Following breakfast we stroll through town to Grassalkovich Palace which is the residence of the president of Slovakia. There are barriers setup, a military band, other military units and a large press group all inside the gates. A group of onlookers three or four deep extends around the barriers. Everyone is waiting for something to occur. We stand around for a bit, but decide not to wait since we don't know when something will happen.
Following breakfast we stroll through town to Grassalkovich Palace which is the residence of the president of Slovakia. There are barriers setup, a military band, other military units and a large press group all inside the gates. A group of onlookers three or four deep extends around the barriers. Everyone is waiting for something to occur. We stand around for a bit, but decide not to wait since we don't know when something will happen.
We move on to the second stop we planned, the garden behind the Palace. Drat! The gates are closed. Probably for the same reason everyone is assembled at the Palace. Later we learn that the Emmanuel Macron, the President of France is in town to meet with Andrej Siska, the President of Slovakia.
We stroll a little further, taking a rest in a city park before returning to the Old Town and what we have planned as our third stop, the Nedbalka Art Gallery. The Nedbalka focuses on Slovak 20th century and contemporary art. The four floors hold 120 - 150 pieces. We are handed an iPad with notes about the pieces and informed that our admission fee includes a beverage in the second floor coffee shop. We make our way from the top down. The art pieces are interesting, though most are not what I'd hang in my house, not really appreciating a great deal of contemporary art.
Following a relaxing coffee and tea in cushy chairs we leave the gallery. We walk up to the salesman for the small trams which offer tours. We think we'll sit back, relax and learn more about Bratislava as the vehicle takes us through town and up to the castle and back. Double Drat! They are not able to offer that tour due to the road closures caused by President Macron's visit.
We stroll a little further, taking a rest in a city park before returning to the Old Town and what we have planned as our third stop, the Nedbalka Art Gallery. The Nedbalka focuses on Slovak 20th century and contemporary art. The four floors hold 120 - 150 pieces. We are handed an iPad with notes about the pieces and informed that our admission fee includes a beverage in the second floor coffee shop. We make our way from the top down. The art pieces are interesting, though most are not what I'd hang in my house, not really appreciating a great deal of contemporary art.
Following a relaxing coffee and tea in cushy chairs we leave the gallery. We walk up to the salesman for the small trams which offer tours. We think we'll sit back, relax and learn more about Bratislava as the vehicle takes us through town and up to the castle and back. Double Drat! They are not able to offer that tour due to the road closures caused by President Macron's visit.
We sit in Hlavné námestie, the Old Town square, plotting how to spend the next couple of hours until we collect our backpacks and catch our train. We notice that the square is busy and there are a growing number of groups of men ages 20-30. Bachelor parties! We choose to have small(er) beverages at two different cafes/pubs and people watch. At one we run into a bachelor who is soon to be married. He's dressed in bride attire and his group of 10 friends seem to be thoroughly enjoying it.
Gathering our backpacks, walking to the train station and catching our train to Budapest goes without issue other than the usual anxiety about finding the right track and the right car. We are very tired when we arrive in our Budapest apartment. I glance at the walking app on my phone and see 14,086 steps, 5.3 miles for today. No wonder we're tired!
Gathering our backpacks, walking to the train station and catching our train to Budapest goes without issue other than the usual anxiety about finding the right track and the right car. We are very tired when we arrive in our Budapest apartment. I glance at the walking app on my phone and see 14,086 steps, 5.3 miles for today. No wonder we're tired!
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