Budapest pics

Actually I have forgotten most of the names of the places in Budapest, would like some help with this. Gabor or CJ or JX? ;-P

(the hazards of leaving it till too late to relabel the photos from a foreign country.)
Me and JX at Hero's Square. Angie's only decent photo.
Hero's Square. One of the remaining monuments in Hungary that remind tourists of the communistic era. Actually now, Hungary still has a communist party that won an election just this year (2006).
Castle entrance. Exactly like how a castle should look like.

Pretty flowers blooming in spring.

The castle and its "moat". Swimming resort, so tempting to go in and jump into the pool!

The Hungarian National Theatre.St Stephen's Basilica.
And sometimes we all just let loose. LOL.We climbed up to the top of St Stephen's Basilica for a better view of the city from the top. Tiring climb but the bird eye's view of any city is often priceless.Church wedding.View of the Danube and the opposite Buda bank with the castles.

The Chain Bridge and the Bridge Festival going on, ON MY BIRTHDAY! Surprise was to be at night. Then we crossed the bridge to go onto the Buda side. Can you see the castle and the funicular?The Chain Bridge. Charming old bridge and all the roadside stalls set up specially for the event.

Actually I took this photo for the flowers, but the statue looks imposing as well. Another look at the Chain Bridge.

Me at the Chain Bridge.

Sun setting over the castle.

Night view of the Chain Bridge. We stayed here for almost the whole day, sipping coffee/beer at a nearby cafe, talking with CJ's Korean friends. 24th Birthday celebration beside the Chain Bridge, June 17, 2006.
(from left) CJ, me, CJ's Korean friend 1, JX, CJ's Korean friend 2.
Sorry couldn't remember their names. Angie was taking the photo. "Thanks!" By the way, the Korean guy and girl aren't a couple. In fact the girl has a Swedish boyfriend. Like, wow.
Night shot of the Chain Bridge. Group photo at Chain Bridge. (from left): JX, the Koreans, CJ, Angie, me. Asian only photo, so no touching!
The next day we visited the Castle (Buda side). Climbed the hill to the top. The bus would have been a more viable option but we would have needed to pay. The castle area was so big, it contained a whole town inside. Churches, museums, and old houses, gave the feeling of being in Gamla Stan in Stockholm, Sweden. Scroll down for more pics inside the castle area! Picture perfect scenery. The rocks, the buildings, the greenery.
The Hungarian flag flying proudly, sitting atop the Castle.
Forgot church name. Or maybe I never knew it to start it with. It's just a very nice church from the outside.

Castle walls. Beyond those walls are some very amazing scenery, like below.
The Danube River and the Pest side. The top view's always best.
One of the most amazing shots that I took in Budapest.Posing on the Castle's walls. Highly dangerous stunt not for the weak hearted cos the way down is a steep drop all the way to the ground. Taking a peek down is a surefire way to make your heart skip a beat.

And you can see the Chain Bridge from the top!
The Danube River and its backdrop. Why I say Budapest is my fave city in this whole travel trip.Wall art. The castle, looking from the bottom, at the intersection between the roundabout and the Chain Bridge.
Goulash soup Hungarian style, prepared by Gabor's parents. Homemade in the traditional way, over an open fire burning wood. Meat, carrots, potatoes. I want to thanks Gabor and Reka for making our stay in Budapest so hassle free and comfy. (Though I did have a problem with the hard floor, but anyway it was a great time in Budapest!)