Lake ride with bail vending machine, fish soup and poppy field

Going cycling around the Tisza Lake is surely one of the lesser well known experiences in Hungary. A lot of people go to Balaton or Lake Velencei to cycle round the lake. However it seems that not a big tourist crowd has yet discovered this more pristine landscape. It is a lot more intact and than the other two lakes. There is also less infrastructure to blindfold you from real nature. Here you feel closer to the real thing.

We dropped off our car in Poroszló and started cycling anti-clockwise on the well-maintained concrete roads on top of the dam towards Kisköre. There is plenty to see on the way. Beautiful flora and fauna, lookout towers and the LAKE throughout the way. We were literally cycling along the river and were tempted to put our feet in the water for a while. However, it was too cold for our liking.

There are plenty of rooms and apartments to rent on the way, as well as cheap eateries and beaches in Abádszalók and Tiszafüred of course. We did try the fish soup in the latter and it was a decent choice. If you are lucky, you can buy some freshly fished fish from the fishermen, who are numerous here, and prepare your own dinner if you have your gas cooker with your camping equipment.

We started off without planning and still managed to find accommodation on Pentecost Sunday at the second camping we asked in Tiszafüred. Our favourite here was the motorboats for rent and the bail vending machine. You can rent a motor boat for a mere 2500 HUF / hour and discover the adventurous little arteries flowing into the main stream Tisza river. From the vending machines you can get some pre-packed worms and corn instead of a coke. Nice!

In Poroszló we came across the newly opened novelty called Ökocentrum a thorough exhibition on the flora and fauna of the region. Combined tickets include boat rides with ecologists who introduce visitors to the region and to the largest fresh water fish tank of Europe. Well worth a visit.

We crossed the river twice and wondered how lucky the smartly built dams were to be here to have stopped the cyanide spill in 2000. Thanks to the genius of the engineers of the dams the lake and its microcosms survived to be explored by future visitors today.
Distance: 70 km

terrain: flat

difficulty: easy, leasure-pleasure

Rhythm and bike go hand in hand – part 22 – Straightforwardness

After the holiday weekend here is an extra energy flow: Earth Wind&Fire via Intouchables, disco feeling combined with straightforwardness and purity of emotions.

Listen to the music and watch the movie!

The Heuriger aka The ultimate Vienna experience

What better ways can you imagine experiencing Vienna than through one of its traditional wine yards called Heuriger? A vinery type of pub has all you need – hearty people, good food and excellent views on the city.

Only a 30 minutes long bus drive from Heiligenstadt S-Bahn station you can hop on bus line 38A to ride all the way to Kahlenberg hilltop. Here you would only have to engage in another 20 minute long walk DOWNHILL – most important, which is even manageable for some who had an illuminated night out the night before. Perfect for a detoxicating morning.

Our personal favourite this time was the Heuriger dedicated to the turtle, or Heuriger zur Schieldkrot because food is cheap and freshly prepared. Wine is tasty and just the right temperature for a nice Gespritzter. Service is not over-friendly but very efficient. And the view… well, needless to say a breathtaking panorama on the Danube island , the mainstream Danube and of course the nearby Leopoldsberg.

Food is self service. Choose one of the nice potato dumplings or a typical Vienna Schnitzel – the veal slice in breadcrumbs. Or just go for the appetizer plate with all the homemade hams and cheeses and the pickles of course. We choose the minced meat filled potato dumpling this time to give us enough energy for the way home after a big night out.

And believe it or not, good company, tasty food and a touch of fresh air made all the hangovers disappear faster than expected.

Whitsunday sunset in Budapest

While biking home today on my favourite bridge all those lights and mellow late spring breeze made me stop for this moments. Isn’t Budapest irresistible?

Up in the Skies in Vienna

Ascending to heavens is easier than you have ever thought. Especially in Vienna. In the Vienna Woods near Cobenzl  there is a beautiful hilltop with picturesque viewpoints Viennese simply call „Am Himmel”, In Heavens. If you ever take the time to work your way all the way up here, you will understand why. It is easier and less effort than you thought and it definitely gives a different perspective on the city than just browsing along the downtown streets of the centre.

Getting there

The best way to get there is to catch bus number 38A from Heiligenstadt. The Heiligenstadt S-Bahn and U-Bahn station is interesting because here you can also catch a glimpse of one of the most extensive Vienna housing estate complexes called Karl Marx-Hof built during the Red Vienna times in 1927-1930. From here the bus goes straight up to Cobenzl in approximately 30 minutes.

What to do

There is plenty to do in Cobenzl. Hiking, wine drinking, eating, and checking out your tree of life. We first headed out to the Circle of trees Am Himmel, which is a circle of 24 different trees on the hilltop divided up for every 2-3 weeks of the year. It is like a horoscope just with trees. Here you can find your personal tree, find out about the history of that tree and about your personality traits. If you believe in horoscopes, you are going to love this. If not, you can still enjoy the stunning view of Vienna from here.

Moving on there is an extremely pleasant cafe up here called Oktogon Am Himmel. If you are up here, go for the Aperol Gespritzter which is a soda drink with Prosecco and Aperol. If you are here in a Sunday, go for the brunch which comes in various versions and sizes.

Walking back to the bus station we decided to head towards Kahlenberg on the bus. Another 15 minute long bus ride on bus 38A. From here we headed out towards Leopoldsberg church which is under construction at the moment unfortunately.

On the way do not miss out on stopping by the Hütte Am Weg for some traditional Viennese food such as the Leberknödel Rindsuppe (clear beef soup with liver gnocchis) and the Lilletspritzter (a nice refreshing drink with Vermont Lillet Blanc, Edelflower syrup, white wine, soda water , cucumber slices and ice cubes). If you are here with kids, make sure they enjoy a few rounds on the merry-go-round hidden in the backyard of the restaurant. They will simply love this.

Getting Back To Town

Reaching Leopoldberg will get you to the bus station again. Here you can take the same bus to ride back to Heiligenstadt.

If you thought that the Vienna hills were far away, you need to change your mind. You can do the 3-in-1 experience in less than 6 hours total. This way you will really feel like being up in the heavens. Well, at least up on top of the gorgeous city of Vienna.

Etyeki borfesztivál: keretes szerkezet

Oda- visszaút: enyhe káosz. Ám, ami közte volt, az mindenért kárpótolt.

Felmerült a bicajozzunk Etyekre ötlet, de kósza gondolat volt csupán, mert itt is érvényes a zéró tolerancia. És tudtuk, hogy zérók, azok nem leszünk. Maradt az oda-vissza fesztiválbusz. Remek ötlet, gyenge szervezés. Oda másfél óra várakozás, vissza oldalt nyitott, városnéző retró járaton zúztunk az éjszakában.

A bor azonban tényleg csodaszer, mert már a tudata előre leföldeli az idegeket, így derűsen tűrtük a várakozást és a nyitott busz megoldással is hamar azonosulni tudtunk.

És ami közte volt: Etyeken nagyon jó, főleg, ha van ott borfesztivál. Borospince gócpontok keretezik a várost mindenhol: domboldalon, völgykatlanban. Okosan kitalált kisbuszos, pattanj fel rendszerrel hömpölygött a lustábbja a pincerendszerek között. És folyt a nemes nedű, igaz, a helyit nagyítóval kellett keresni, de legalább ittunk nagyon szép furmintot Tokajból, felejthető cserszegit Keszthelyről és frissítő rosét Szekszárdról.

A foszlós fehér kenyéren tejföllel megágyazott 2 évig érlelt sonka fodrok végképp megkoronázták a délutánt. Jólesően terültünk el a bodzafák alatt, távolban szólt a jazz és szélesen mosolyogva ittunk még egy pohárral, végre egy etyekit.

Rhythm and bike go hand in hand – part 21 – No matter and better

Vow, this song matches completely with the feeling that riding your bike can give you: freedom! If you happen to have a bad hair day turn this song on, jump on your bike and ride into the middle of nowhere. It will much better!

Note: if this voice sounds familiar, check “Twist & Shout” with Chaka Demus & Pliers from 1993. Jack Radics, Jamaican singer, became well known by that song but few years later “No matter” brought him absolute success and international attention.