The Allyn and Debby Fresh Family: Gellert Bath and Lazar Equestrian Park

Budapest has held the title of "City of Spas" since 1934, and has more medicinal and thermal water springs (119) than any capital city in the world. Allyn decided he wanted to visit the Gellert Bath which has springs that date back to the 15th century. He spent several hours there and enjoyed a variety of pools at a variety of temperatures. There was a even a "wave" pool which was very popular. On thing that was different from pools back home . . . everyone had to wear a swimming cap. He bought one for about 35 cents, which was basically a hotel shower cap!

In the evening we had a Jones activity to the Lazar Equestrian Park. It is a working farm and had lots of animals another than horses. We started our evening off with a wagon ride. This is the wagon behind us, and Allyn standing by our wagon and horse.

Here ate some of the interesting animals we saw:

Bronze Turkey - the male is the flashy one!

Hungarian Domestic Goose - along with a few chickens

Racks Sheep - their horns were unusual and looked like they had been twisted

Hungarian Common Goat - the baby was hungry for dinner

Mangalica Pig - these were huge and very smelly

Hungarian Sheep Dog - cute dogs with lots of hair

Hungarian Common Donkey - these looked like the burros in our fields back home

Hungarian Fan Tailed Dove - made a pleasant cooing sound

Hungarian Miniature Pony - were really small, maybe two feet from shoulder to ground

We also saw the horse stables and there was a very young foal in the corral.

The riders performed a horse show with lots of fast riding and tricks. We were sitting in the front row and even got some mud splashed on us!

We posed with one of the horses and riders when the show was finished. He kept trying to nibble my arm and had very hot breath!

There were some farm games for the children and adults that wanted to participate. Allyn was particularly good at the pitchfork toss.

The grounds were very pretty and immaculately taken care off.

We also had a delicious meal of traditional Hungarian food. This was the main course but by the time we got to it I was full!

There was also a group of musicians playing traditional Hungarian music and some children doing Hungarian folk dances. The pictures are a bit blurry because they are moving so fast.