Last day in Budpest

“When in Rome”. The Szechenyl Spa Baths in Budapest are one of the largest baths in Europe with 15 indoor pools, 3 outdoor pools, and 10 saunas. And steam chambers.  The hot springs were first developed in the 1880s during the time of the Austria-Hungarian empire (the Hapsburgs). They opened in 1913. 

I found I could travel there near Heroes Square on the Metro. Each bath has a controlled temperature and it was fun to sample several of them. You had to buy slippers and rent a towel. (I had brought a swimming costume). 

This last day was somewhat interrupted with many police present, taped off roads and the traffic, including the buses and local surface trains halted for a time.

The reason was that Mr Putin was visiting Victor Orban. Two “gangster capitalists” meeting. The population do not appear to realize that the Orban government has taken control of the media so the population may not be aware of the significance of this. If anyone wants to read more they should read articles in the Economist and the New York Times about the autocratic regime in Hungary. No wonder they are learning from Putin’s Russia!

It was another rainy day and I was glad to get back to the hotel after a relaxing time at the Szechenyl Spa Baths. 

This is Hero’s square in the rain.