Day 12: Wed 8 Jun - Budapest to Rackeve

Ride: 60km 

The escape from the big smoke was fairly painless, with a bike path for most of the first 20 odd km. The suburbs of Budapest are much like those of any big city, a bit drab. After that it was a case of picking our way through small outer towns and farmlands. Crops here are mainly the cereal crops, sunflower and lucerne. Saw one cherry orchard with big black cherries on. It's picking season soon so a big feed of cherries is coming up. There are 1,000s of wild and street cherry trees and we had a couple of nice free feeds. But they tend to be the smaller red cherries.  

Tonight we are staying in the converted Palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy, who was a Military leader during the Austrian empire's heyday. The palace was built in 1720. It costs A$40 a head for B+B.  As a real bonus at the palace they had Hungarian folk dancing for a banquet that was on at the same time. The kids in particular were fantastic.

Went for a wander around this lovely little village and bought an ice-cream, yoghurt drink and a packet of chewing gum for A$3. That is good value.

Normal mode of transport for many Hungarians

Folk dancing at our hotel (converted palace)