Our first visit to Budapest was an incredible experience. It was much more than we had expected and before we went some friends advised us to be sure and visit the McDonalds at the city’s central station. A quick internet search describes it as a destination worth visiting. What American could pass up a McDonalds?
With over 35,000 restaurants in over 100 countries, there are times when traveling internationally that McDonald’s can seem like a familiar touch of home. While we prefer to eat local, sometimes familiarity, price and convenience win out. While the restaurant’s menu and appearance has a tendency to change based on the country, there are always some common choices. Because I’m supposed to avoid caffeine, in Europe, often McDonalds is my most reliable outlet (okay Starbucks too but they cost a lot more) as Europeans aren’t used to providing decaf coffee.
Central Train Station McDonalds Budapest
In Budapest, Hungary, this particular McDonald’s has actually become a travel destination itself. Located in the famous Western Railway Station (Nyugati Pályaudvar) designed by August de Serres and built by the Eiffel Company of Paris, it features some impressive steel and iron work. This McDonalds has the twin advantages of being very large and right in the center of Budapest.
Over the years much of the stations iron structure has been replaced but attached to the right side of the terminal is what has been called the most beautiful McDonalds in the world. This was once the oldest fast food establishments behind the Iron Curtain, dating back to the Soviet occupation of Hungary. This McDonalds occupies a large multi-story space with an ornate colonial ceiling right in the railway station complex and is a favorite with locals and tourists alike.
We visited around six on a Friday and the restaurant was packed. The lines moved quickly with attendants moving thru the lines taking orders on hand-held tablets that printed out an order ticket. Our order priced out a little less than we would have paid back home and featured the usual fare. Placed on a balcony on the second floor overlooking the main seating was the MaCafe furnished with overstuffed sofas and chairs. A true coffee shop it was staffed just to make coffee based drinks and serve from a truly impressive pastry selection. Starbucks – eat your heart out!
While we cannot guarantee that this is the most beautiful McDonalds in the world it is for sure the most beautiful we’ve ever visited.
While the city is a hub of the Scottish highlands it is actually most famous as the largest town near Loch Ness and the mythological monster that is claimed to live in its depths.
Still the city is the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands and is situated on the banks of the Ness River where it flows into the Moray Firth beginning only twenty miles away in Loch Ness. This picturesque Scottish town considers itself the gateway to the legendary Loch Ness and does its best to celebrate the legendary Loch Ness Monster.
Local Points of Interest
Victorian Market
Its Old Town features Inverness Castle, the 19th-century Inverness Cathedral, the 18th-century Old High Church along with an indoor Victorian Market selling food, clothing and crafts. Also it’s the home of the contemporary Inverness Museum and Art Gallery that exhibits local and Highland history.
The River Ness flows through the heart of Inverness, with parks, scenic walks along its banks and the Ness Islands, a group of small islands connected by a pedestrian footbridges. The river offers a number of parks and trails for hiking.
The Eden Court Theatre is the arts and culture venue of the area and is a great place to catch a play, movie, or live performances.
Inverness Castle – The original castle was built in 1057 by King Malcolm III, and was later destroyed during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The current castle was erected in 1836 and served as a courthouse until 2019, when it was transformed into a tourist attraction and cultural hub for the Highlands.
Loch Ness – a large inland lake made famous by the reports of a prehistoric monster inhabiting its depths. The legend talks about a mysterious creature said to inhabit the loch. The creature is commonly referred to as the Loch Ness Monster or “Nessie” for short. The legend has been the subject of much speculation and debate over the years, with many people claiming to have seen the creature or evidence of its existence. Despite numerous investigations and scientific studies, the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster remains unsolved but is most likely a hoax enhanced by a number of people over decades.
Culloden Battlefield – The Battle of Culloden was fought on April 16, 1746, near Inverness in Scotland. It was the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745 and resulted in a decisive victory for the British government forces. The battle lasted less than an hour, with the Jacobite army suffering heavy losses. The aftermath of the battle was brutal, with many Jacobite prisoners executed and others forced into exile. The site of the battle, Culloden Moor, is now a popular tourist attraction and is home to the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, which provides an in-depth look at the history of the battle and its impact on Scottish history.
Clava Cairns – Clava Cairns is a prehistoric burial site located near Inverness. It consists of a group of three Bronze Age cairns surrounded by standing stones in a circular pattern. The site is believed to have been used for burials and religious ceremonies around 4,000 years ago. The Clava Cairns are considered to be one of the best examples of Bronze Age burial sites in Scotland
Fort George -A large 18th-century fortress near Ardersier, to the north-east of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It was built to pacify the Scottish Highlands in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745. The current fortress has never been attacked and has remained in continuous use as a garrison.
The USS Arizona Memorial sitting above the sunken ship
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack began at 7:48 am and lasted for about two hours, resulting in the deaths of 2,403 Americans and the destruction of numerous ships and aircraft. The attack was a major turning point in World War II, as it led to the United States’ entry into the war.
The USS Missouri looking past the sunken USS Arizona
The attack was planned and executed by the Imperial Japanese Navy, which had been growing increasingly aggressive in its territorial ambitions in the Pacific. The Japanese hoped that by launching a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, they could cripple American military capabilities in the region and secure their own dominance.
The attack was a devastating blow to the United States, but it also galvanized the American people and strengthened their resolve to fight back against Japan and its allies. President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously referred to the day of the attack as “a date which will live in infamy,” and just one day later, on December 8, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan.
Today you can tour Pearl Harbor with several significant sites to take in. Parking for the Visitor Center is free and there is no fee to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. However, due to its popularity, tickets are required and can be reserved in advance online for a small fee. Same-day tickets are also available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, but it’s recommended to arrive early as they tend to sell out quickly.
A gun turret from the sunken USS Arizona sticks out of the water next to the memorial
Pearl Harbor Visitor Center: Begin your visit here to learn about the events of December 7, 1941, through exhibits, films, and displays.
USS Arizona Memorial: Take a boat out and pay tribute to the fallen sailors and explore the memorial built over the sunken battleship USS Arizona.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park: Tour the WWII submarine USS Bowfin and learn about its history and the experiences of submariners.
Battleship Missouri Memorial: Step aboard the USS Missouri, where the Japanese surrender was signed, and explore this historic battleship.
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor: Discover a vast collection of aircraft and exhibits that showcase the history of aviation in the Pacific.
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Laem Chabang The Cruise Gateway to Bangkok, Thailand
Cruising in the South China Sea is becoming increasingly popular which normally includes one or two ports of call in Thailand.
Thailand is one of the most advanced and open nations in Southeast Asia, once known as Siam. It is bordered by Myanmar (Burma) to the north, Laos to the northeast, Cambodia to the southeast and Malaysia on the south along the isthmus. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, and tourists are welcomed with open arms by these friendly people.
Where Your Ship Docks
Most cruise ships dock at the port of Laem Chabang on the Gulf of Thailand, a full hour and a half south of Bangkok, the nation’s capital.
Inside the Grand Palace Complex
Smaller ships can dock at Klong Toey on the Chao Phraya River, on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Terminal facilities at Laem Chabang
This port is located along the southeast coast and serves primarily as a working industrial port. While there are supposed to be facilities being developed to include a terminal, as of early 2023 there is not much available for cruise passengers.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This is a working industrial port without a cruise ship pier. Disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway design and a steep ramp or even stairs can be encountered. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a difficult time disembarking.
Port City Characteristics – This port is a working port providing a number of obstacles to walking out. Usually taxis and vans are allowed onto the docks which helps if you have a destination in mind. Outside the port wheelchair infrastructure is typical of large Asian cities. The waterfront and near port area has moderate inclines in sidewalks but the city itself can be more difficult. Intersection crosswalks may have curbs or other wheelchair obstacles.
Transportation
The main reason for cruise ships docking at Laem Chabang is to visit Bangkok. There are a number of options available to get into the city but it is about a 100 mile trip. The good news is transportation options are reasonably inexpensive. Getting into Bangkok by taxi takes about two hours and should cost about $40 each way. While there is bus service costing about $7.50 each way it’s a challenge. We’ve known people that tried to use the buses and eventually gave up trying to catch the right bus and eventually hired a taxi.
Local Taxi companies include: Sriracha Taxi Phone +66 92 958 1732 Grab Taxi at website grab.com P.T. Taxi Service at website pttaxiservice.com Phone +66854449035 Cherry Taxi Service at website cherrytaxiservice.com Phone +66841205646
Hiring a car and driver is another popular option especially if you’re traveling with a group but you should book in advance. Car hires can be arranged and purchased online at 12go.asia and start at $70 each way with a number of vehicle types available. Phone 086 165 4696 or email to bangkoktaxi@gmail.com
The roads and highways in Thailand are very well maintained and if you want to go it alone and see some of the countryside there are good car rental services. One rental company near to the port that comes highly recommended is:
Take it Easy Bike & Car Rental Address: 329/48, Soi Pattaya New Plaza, 50m off 2nd Road, Opposite Soi 7 – Soi 8, Central Pattaya, Pattaya 20150 . Phone: 089 007 7804. Rental cars can be arranged ahead of arrival for pick up at the port through their web site above.
Hertz also has a rental office in Laem Chabang and cars to be picked up at the port can be reserved on the Hertz web site.
On our last visit we were on a cruise that spent two days in Laem Chabang. After some research we pre-booked a private tour through Travel Hub. They picked us up at the port and took us straight to Bangkok where we spent a busy day with a night in a Bankok hotel. Early the next morning we headed out into the country to see more sights and ended up at the port with plenty of time to spare.
We’ve also been amazed with Thailand’s highway rest stops that are usually lined with a half dozen or more American franchises and Thai businesses.
Currency
Thailand uses the Baht at an exchange rate to the U.S. Dollar of one Baht equals about 3¢. While most credit cards are welcome if you are going to spend a day or two in Bangkok it is recommended that you exchange for currency for local Baht.
Attractions
Thailand is also famous for floating markets where goods are sold from boats. Originally developed when rivers and canals played an important role in daily life, most floating markets operating today serve primarily as tourist attractions.
The capital city of Bangkok is the big attraction, with the best place to start being the Grand Palace grounds. This is the central sightseeing attraction in the city, and it’s overwhelming in its historical significance and stunning architecture. The grounds are packed full with royal palaces, temples, and history, the highlight is Wat Phra Kaeo, Temple of the Emerald Buddha. A relic within this temple is said to be a piece of bone from the Buddha himself. While there you also visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn and it measures 135 feet long. Allow a number of hours to do the Grand Palace grounds. In addition try and fit in a visit to the famous Wat Po and Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn rising above the Chao Phraya River. Another popular attraction is seeing the city from the river and on the canals with numerous options.
Maeklong Railway Market
One unique market outside Bangkok is the famous Maeklong Railway Market. It is located in a congested town and sits right on an active train track. As trains approach vendors pull back their awnings and displays with only minutes to spare and are right back in business as soon as the trains pass. A unique experience as you stand there with train traveling only inches away.
While there are tons of cultural and historic attractions to see in Bangkok and the people are remarkably polite and friendly be aware of con artists; they frequently prey on tourists. Though the cruise port is a good distance from the city, venturing into the the city to see the sights is something that shouldn’t be missed.
There are thousands of worthwhile travel sites to be explored but Georgina is one of my favorite travel bloggers. If you haven’t made her acquaintance drop by her site Timeless Travel Steps – you’ll be glad you found it. She really dives into a location and does an incredible job of making you feel like you have a personal guide for visiting her favorite places. Today she posted a great article on the Scottish Highlands and the Falls Of Foyers. Click below to read her article.
We were in the Scottish Highlands just a few months ago but didn’t have time to do any hiking. While we were aware of the hiking trails now after reading Georgina’s article on the Falls Of Foyers we hope to get back and spend a few days on the trails. Maybe stay in the cute village of Luss…
Holidays Are A Special Time On Cruise Ships, Especially Christmas And Halloween
If you like cruising but never thought about a special holiday cruise, maybe you should look into taking a cruise with your family for a holiday. The best thing about holiday cruising is the opportunity to relax and unwind while enjoying beautiful ocean views as the ships crew does all the decorating and planning for you. Indulge in delicious food, participate in exciting activities, special parties and still explore interesting destinations, all while being pampered by the staff. It’s a perfect way to escape from the daily routine and create lasting memories.
Cruise ships always make a special effort to celebrate holidays at sea and there are some that are particularly special. For Halloween maybe it’s the passengers that help make it extra special with incredible costumes. While at Christmas the cruise ships go all out featuring spectacular decorations, planned parties and special holiday menus. There’s also nothing like celebrating Thanksgiving or the New Year at sea with family and friends!
Decorating For Christmas
If you’re looking for something special for a great family holiday consider planning a cruise. Special cruise ship holiday events are a great way to celebrate while enjoying a unique travel experience. Holiday events often include themed parties, special live performances, festive dining options, an amazing costume ball and even visits from Santa Claus. Whether it’s a Christmas cruise, a New Year’s Eve celebration, or a holiday-themed cruise, these events offer a memorable and festive atmosphere that’s difficult to find anywhere else.
Halloween Costumes & Parties
If you book a Halloween cruise be prepared for some great parties and by all means pack an extra special costume!
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