My Old Man and the Hungarian Sea

Location: Balaton Lake
June 20, 2010
Adventure #21

It wasn't a typical summer visit to Balaton Lake. We didn't eat any langos (Hungary's special festival food that's like a savory funnel cake), we didn't attempt to get in the chilly water, and we didn't get a sun tan. However, what we did get was one heck of a beautiful sunset, which made the quick trip worth it.

Fondly referred to as the Hungarian Sea, Lake Balaton is Central Europe's largest lake and the country's most popular summer holiday spot. Mike and I decided to stop there last weekend, because it was on our train route home from Zagreb, and I desperately wanted some beach time. Unfortunately, Mother Nature was not on our side, so it never got warm enough to actually swim in the lake, but we spent a lovely Saturday afternoon and evening sitting by the water and enjoying the view. We also ventured into the Lilliputian city center of Balatonlelle and ate pizza at a Mediterranean grill which could have been taken straight out of a Croatian seaside town. On Sunday morning, we awoke to pouring rain and an overcast sky, so we caught the first train back to Budapest. I plan to go back on a nicer weekend, although my unplanned weekends are becoming very numbered before I head back to the USA!