The fortress at the end

The fortress at the end

We said goodbye to the crew of the AmaVerde and stepped to the dock at Budapest. It was the last stop of our cruise along the “Romantic Danube.” We had traveled some 500 miles, approximately one-third of the run of this magnificent river. We had floated through beautiful swaths of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. But now we were down to the final 24 hours.

Our viral romance

Our viral romance

Some people go to Vienna for the coffee, Others for the opera. I scored COVID there.

You expect to catch viruses and diseases in drab German towns like Feuchtwangen (“Moist cheeks”), Kotzen (“Vomit”), or Elend (“Wretchedness”). But no, no, no. Not me. It was during a night in waltzing Vienna that the symptoms struck: deep cough, tight chest, snotted nose, running wife. Vicki glided in 3/4 tempo to the reception desk and fetched a test kit.

Lion Cage (Part 1)

Lion Cage (Part 1)

Dürnstein may not tickle the eyes as other Danube castles do, but its secrets tickle the imagination— especially for Bible Land explorers. Here, Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned on his way home from the Crusades. How he was captured and how he was released is the stuff of mystery (and music!). Consider his capture here; we’ll save his release for another post.

People painter

People painter

I met Roskovics for the first time outside my hotel in Budapest. His easel was before him, as was the picturesque Széchenyi Chain Bridge spanning the Danube (no surprise!). Buda Castle Hill was stretching beyond. Roskovics was focused on this landscape. He paid no attention to the gawkers peeking over his shoulder on the promenade. He was absorbed in his work, crayon in one hand, cigarette in the other, bag at his feet.