Sandi Waiting for flight to Newark NJ
Nick and I took off from Austin Bergstrom Airport September 9, 2015; but this trip started as the dream years ago. When Barb and I were young working moms in Chicago we ‘pinkie-swore’ that someday, when we were older, and the kids were grown, we would do something “Scathingly Brilliant” like go to Europe.
About 18 months ago while visiting Barb the idea moved up to action item. We choose the Viking Grand European Tour and started planning. Well Barb started planning. Barb and Paul are retired, while Nick and I still own and actively manage our business, Pleiades Publishing. Barb dealt with all the planning, flight and booking details. We flew into Newark NJ with the plan of resting overnight before taking off for Budapest via Brussels. The overnight rest turned out to be a great idea. We hit take-off delays in both Newark and Brussels so by the time we got to the Budapest Airport on September 11th, we were dreaming of, to quote Barb, “Finding our staterooms and face planting on the bed.”
The Viking Crew was at the airport to meet us. They gathered our luggage and loaded us into to a travel van for the ride to our boat, the Gefjon docked just beneath the famous Chain Bridge. Because there had been so many delays in everyone’s flights we were over 4-hours late, so the trip into town and to the dock area happened at what seemed like double time. We knew from the schedule that we would be touring Budapest tomorrow, but there where so many visual impressions of the city as it whizzed by our windows. Nick pulled out the camera and started taking pictures through the window. There is some reflection and some are out of focus, but they really do represent our first impression of the city. The driver treated us to a running commentary about the highlights and history of the city. He was particularly disdainful of the Soviet-era buildings and public art.
When we reached the Viking Gefjon we were greeting by the staff with cool towels, snacks and a glass of champagne. They are obviously very experienced with dealing with tired, almost cranky, travelers.
We had been warned that he Danube River level was low, but when Barb saw that the angle of the gangway looked like a black diamond ski slope, she predicted another kind of face-plant
Barb and Paul boarding the our ship, the Viking Gafjon in Budapest, Hungray
After we had time to freshen up in our state rooms we gathered in the Lounge for a welcome briefing which included an introduction to the crew and a description of the ship’s amenities.
Sandi standing by the Gafjon Grand Staircase
We all gathered in the Viking Gafjon Lounge for a welcome and introduction to the crew
After traveling all night and most of the day I was surprised by second wind we got by just meeting our fellow passengers and the crew. Our Program director, Kane Davies told us about tomorrow’s tour of the city and I was thrilled to learn that in addition to the guided tour we would have time to walk around on our own to see areas and sites at our own pace.
Sandi, Barb and Paul – Our first dinner aboard the Viking Gafjon
We had our first of many wonderful suppers in the Viking Gefjon dining room. The wait staff was amazing, they made the simple act of having supper after a very long day a wonderful, fun experience.
