Mom and I started our day at Great Market Hall in search of Paprika. Thursday must be a good day to visit since it was nice and quiet and the vendors had tolerance for our photography, lack of Hungarian and many questions. The produce, meets and strudel were amazing as well as the handcrafts. Here's mom purchasing some handpainted pins to bring home as gifts.Next we crossed a bridge over the Danube and visited Gellert Hotel which was clearly a destination in the soviet era. The architecture was over the top. It is best known for the thermal baths. However, we instead climbed the adjacent Gellert Hill and had this view of the Gellert hotel, Danube river and this sculpture. 
From here we hiked up to the Minerva Statue of Liberty that stands triumphant over the city and commemorates the Soviet liberation of Hungary from Nazi occupation. It is strategically placed in front of the Citadel. 
Our climb was rewarded with great views of the city. Our Marriott is the one building that stands out as too modern looking, sitting between the two bridges. The glass facade gives it away.
Our climb was rewarded with great views of the city. Our Marriott is the one building that stands out as too modern looking, sitting between the two bridges. The glass facade gives it away.Every upward climb has an equal decent and when we made it to the bottom our legs were shaking like jelly. However, being fearless tourists we trekked on to the Royal Palace of Budapest (following a break for lunch).
Dad needs to use the computer so I'll add more photos tomorrow.
