Hungary in Hungary? Or Is It the Wine?

Closing in on the End of This Adventure

Here it is June 24, another 90+ degree day and we have arrived in Hungary which will be our last country on the Danube River Cruise. We were disappointed in never seeing the Blue Danube nor the Green Danube. However, what we did have was a marvelous ride up the Danube, loving every moment of the trip. AND we cannot wait for the next part of our trip, on land!!!!

We have a very busy day today and a long river ride again overnight heading toward Budapest where we will spend a few days. We have arrived in Mohacs, Hungary as our port. We will be busing up to Pecs, Hungary where we will begin our tour.

This is the first country where we have had face to face Customs and Immigration issues. Each person had to present our passports, get them stamped and then our ship had to be moved to another location for disembarking and on to our day...thus a large delay. This cut our visit to Pecs down to a quick walk through the lovely little town, watched a graduation, visited the church, walked through the town and headed off to the winery.

The Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul in Pecs

 The grill of locks making commitment by lovers for lasting romance.

At the Polgar Winery

Crumb Cakes in Croatia

Sailing all night to exit Serbia heading for Croatia...for the rest of the story!

 Vukovar, Croatia forms Croatia's eastern border with Serbia. During the Yugoslav wars in the early 1990s, heavy fighting in the surrounding region resulted in the deaths of thousands and widespread destruction. Vukovar remains an extremely devastated place. As we walked we did not see so much destruction as we expected and certainly not what we saw in Belgrade. It appears that they have been rebuilding rapidly. The economy is is poor with 19% unemployment.

We had a short walk through the town of Vukovar.

This building houses the organization responsible for warning Vukovar

when the Danube will be overflowing its banks.

Last time the river rose, this building was under water.

Irony to the max.

After the walk, a ride to a small village with our guide telling us his story of the "Homeland Way" of the 90's. We walked to a small home and were entertained with cakes, not exactly the cream cakes but delicious chocolate cake and lemon cakes. We had our first try of the famous plum brandy that seems so popular in the region.

Beth and Becky had a brief moment as Rulers of the Ship -- visiting the bridge. 

Met Captain and 1st Officer

It's good luck to have a stork nest on your home.

With the Strawberry Moon shining, Some big event during the night.  Bumpy ride.  Flashing lights.  Other boats and barges near by.  Still no info about that.  Hope to update later.  Stay tuned.