Bratislava
After leaving Budapest yesterday afternoon, the River Cloud moved up the Danube towards our first destination of the voyage – Bratislava in the Slovak Republic. We passed vast expanses of countryside and small villages, all picture perfect. Suddenly around the bend, Bratislava loomed before us, its most imposing feature a large bridge spanning the Danube. Simply called the “New Bridge,” it is known locally as the “UFO Bridge”, as the restaurant sitting on top is shaped exactly like the UFOs of our storybooks and tabloids.
When Bratislava was part of the Habsburg Empire, Bratislava was called Pressburg, and was basically considered an outer suburb of Vienna, only 80km away. The Hungarians called it Poszony, from the old Roman name Posonium, and was used as their capital while the rest of Hungary was occupied by the Turks. For the Slavs it is named after Duke Ratislav. These three powers have molded Bratislava into what it is today.
Bratislava is steeped in culture, and now that Slovakia is part of the European Union, more and more visitors arrive every year to appreciate the small cafes, museums, and musical performances. This afternoon we set off to investigate inside the old walls of the city. Old Town is crammed with steeply cabled roofs, cobbled streets, half-timbered buildings, arches and squares that are cared for with pride. As we pass into the city the Royal Castle looks down upon us, enticing some to break off from the rest of the group and head up the hill. Along the winding streets we walk, passing St. Martin’s Cathedral, where the kings of Hungry were crowned until 1848.
Later, as we board the River Cloud for our Captain’s Welcome Party, we can’t stop talking about what we have experienced throughout the afternoon. We have fallen under Bratislava’s enchantment, and many are talking about what they will do the next time they come and visit.
Bratislava has one more surprise in store for us, as this evening we are serenaded by the all woman instrumental group, Aphrodite 5. These beautiful ladies, all trained classically on the flute, viola, violin, cello, and piano, put a wonderful twist on some of our classics. Their passion for the music is apparent, and they move tears in some as they play Memories, and get us on our feet dancing to Tequila.
What an incredible first day, first country, and first city of our voyage. As we sail tonight, Vienna is in our immediate future, and we cannot wait to see what it holds.
