Franz Hartinger – Page 4

Friday, 26.04.19, Budapest, Novi Sad, Belgrade

27.04.201918.01.2021Franz Hartinger

Day 4 for the records. Looking at a large scale map yesterday I wondered whether I had chosen the most sensible route at all. To cut it short, I decided to change: instead of going to Timisoara in Romania I headed south to Novi Sad and Belgrade. The latter I had in mind on the way back from Skopje and turn off to the Madura Caves in Romania
I had to sacrifice the caves, but the total distance was reduced by almost 1.000 km. Timisoara would come then on Sunday, 28.04.19 and not further changes until Thessaloniki.

Caste Novi Sad with my faithful companion

Street parking. Asked another cyclist for the parking arrangements. There was a board with a mobile phone number. He said it is a Public Holiday, actually Easter Weekend for the Orthodox Church. The parking is free then. He also explained a short history of Novi Sad with Queen Maria Theresia awarding the town rights to them.
Took me some circles in town until I found my way back.

It was not the day of successful navigation at all. Near Belgrade I ended up in this rural area following my Garmin with correctly spelled address, but it was one of more of the same. This gentlemen, obviously a keen cyclist as myself, followed me because he guessed my misery. In his mother tongue Serbian he explained to me, I must go back to town. Cost me about 20 km over all and one hour.

Not the most romantic camping ground, but very well located and very friendly welcome and fellow travelers.
Good end, all well…

Thursday, 25.04.19, Budapest

27.04.201926.11.2020Franz Hartinger

Day 3 for the records. Took the map with the hop-on-hop-off bus tours which I received from the camping reception and it was very useful. I drafted a route from the outer skirts to the inner. Took my bike and went off and must say, it went very well.

Already yesterday Budapest exceeded my imagination by far, today would only confirm that.

Burg Vajdahunyad and City Park

Dome St. Stephan’s

Main Synagoge

Castle and Parliament

Wednesday, 24.04.19, Bratislava to Budapest.

24.04.201918.01.2021Franz Hartinger

Good morning in Bratislava, shopping and another round through town with the bike. Weather much better than yesterday. Found government’s palace at time for changing of the guards. Exactly two soldiers were commanded by one officer for the change.

What a difference the sun makes… also in Bratislava.

Government’s palace and “Changing of the Guards”.

Departure towards Budapest at about noon, again gusty south easterly winds, arrival about 16:00 at the camping site after heavy stop and go traffic in the city. After check-in on the bike again up to Fisherman’s Bastion with that great view over Budapest. On the way back quickly to the nearby Castle. Looking forward to tomorrow’s discovery ride.

First impressions from Budapest, palaces and bridges, two melted towns.
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Fisherman’s Bastion
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The view of a life time from Fisherman’s Bastion

Haller Camping in the city center ideal for all excursions.

Tuesday, 23.04.19, Haag – Bratislava

23.04.201918.01.2021Franz Hartinger

After a relaxed morning and breakfast with Ingrid I left at 08:00 a.m. as planned. Last additions to the equipment e.g., warm rain jacket and hat proved immensely valuable later the day. Quickly draw some cash in town and then join the highway direction east to Bratislava via Vienna. Strong and gusty south easterly winds called for maximum attention. Quick stop in Steinhäusl for coffee and croissant. Payed 10 € toll at the border and reached Bratislava around 11:30. Finding parking proved challenging as Garmin found only park garages. But after about one hour I found my spot quite hidden near a restaurant and near the big bridge. Take the bike and jacket and hut and ride to the castle and the historic city center. All in light drizzle. Only at about 15:00 rain became a little more.

First relaxed view of the Danube and the Castle
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Took the pictures, had another coffee and croissant (c+c) at Mackies and headed for my motor home. Asked the restaurant manager if I can stay over night. He directed me to a camping ground which Garmin did not know. On the way to it after 5 minutes I saw some other motor homes among other cars on a parking ground near the river Danube. One spot under a tree was left open for me. As outside temp is around 11 dgr. C, I activated my central heating. Had to switch to gas bottle 2. All in all you have to make the best of it.

April – Mai 2019 Eastern Europe

18.04.201926.11.2020Franz Hartinger

Trip map and main destination:

The idea to visit the Delta of the Danube came watching a TV documentation called “Universe” about the area a couple of years ago. Similar to many dreams it took some time to make it happen. And once you travel that far, it makes sense to me not to come back the same way, that would be a sin, but find a circular path.

My route planning tries to accomplish that circle. Google Maps indicates for this about 5.900 km, but the sum of the detailed plan is about 7,100 km and about 37 days.

Summary:

I visited 14 countries in 33 days and traveled about 6.700 km.
One of my favorite quotes is from Mark Twain:
“We travel to compare our imagination to reality.”
Realty surpassed my imagination regularly all the time and the beauty of countries, landscapes, cities and foremost of the people I met was just overwhelming. I always ask God to upgrade my support with 3 additional guardian angels (to have one on each side of me) and I am so grateful that the only incidence was a broken bulb in Croatia. And yes, a stolen Mountain Bike in Kosovo, which is bearable.