The chookpen has transferred to the MS TRANQUILITY

It would be so wonderful if I could add photos to this blog because we have just one great view after another on this sublime cruise on the river Danube. If ever you think of cruising anywhere, this is the place to do it. Budapest is beautiful, with a lot of restoration work required.We did a couple of excellent optional tours there as well as a river cruise, which we did on our own. The Intercontinental Hotal was really good with good service and friendly and efficient staff, able to speak good English Then the cruise, what superlatives can I use? The cabins are quite roomy enough for 2 people, the bathroom is very efficiently laid out, plenty of storage in the bathroom and the stateroom. The staff are just great. The lounge and dining room and other common facilities are beautiful. Our food, cooked by 6 chefs, is tops, 3courses for lunch and 4 courses for dinner. The tours are good though I think if you were not selective, as we were, you would be extremely tired by now. Some people do almost every optional tour and that is not only expensive but also too much. We have really enjoyed what we did but also the sitting back and enjoying the cruising.They had a staff show, amaturish but very funny and they recognised the birthdays with champagne and a beautiful rendition of tha alternative Happy Birthday song, so I was there,up on stage as well. I even got a big kiss from our room stewardess, much appreciated as she is a great girl. Those of you who have been to Austria and Germany know what kind of views I am talking about. Again, I am sorry I can't add photographs on this ship's computer facility but in a way it is easier because now I don't have to make the choice. We are sailing into Regensburg in Germany and tomorrow we get to Nuremburg. We disembark after breakfast on the 21st and will be taken to Prague , where we remain until the 24th for a return to Holland. We have Australians on board, as the largest group. then, in order, Canadians, US, New zealanders , British and 2 couples from Hong Kong. We have basically teamed up with a mother & daughter from texas, a couple from Ohio and 2 Canadian couples. Yes, the cruise was magic and we would recommend it to anyone. HAPPY BIRTHDAY , KAREN.