Hungary - Kalocsa

Our entry into Hungary involved a very early morning "face check" at Mohacs, during which most guests stumbled bleary-eyed in their PJ's before a friendly team of border guards. Some returned to their beds, but we stayed up and enjoyed a coffee in rocking chairs at the bow of the ship as we sailed onward.

Our stop for the day was in a rural area, technically the river port for the town of Kalocsa (Ka-LO-Cha) some distance inland. By mid-morning we found ourselves at a horse farm outside town, home to a very spirited group of Magyar (Hungarian) Puszta cowboys, keeping alive the traditions from their nomadic Mongolian ancestry.

The degree of training and trust bond between rider and horse was immediately evident. We experienced a local cowboy snack (bread smeared with pork fat, onion and paprika) washed down with shots of various local fruit brandy as we enjoyed the show, which consisted of some demonstrations followed by a series of cowboy games. Our new friend Kelsey (aka Wine Girl) was even the subject of a very intimate public whip demonstration and courting ritual with one of the cowboys.

The Kalocsa area is also renowned for it's paprika, even within a paprika mecca like Hungary. We stocked up on some to take home, both the "edes" (sweet) and "csipos" (hot) varieties.

Following the horse show, we returned to Kalocsa for a tour of the old town square and cathedral, where we were also treated to a 20-minute classical music concert on the church pipe organ. Outside the cathedral, the statue of List Ferenc (aka famous yet local classical composer Franz Liszt) listened intently to ensure that each note was exact.

Back aboard the Aegir, our final night on the ship included a Farewell Dinner with Captain Istvan, now in his home country. We were also entertained by some local folk musicians. Our Hungarian server Melinda (she of the frequent and VERY full wine pours) also confided that she had eavesdropped on the musicians, who didn't realize she was Hungarian. Something about comparing the various female servers and their skills.....we'll stay classy and leave it at that!

We also received a nice gift from our new friends Anne and Leon from Kansas - during the cruise, Anne had knitted each of us a pair of wool socks! Maybe she was worried about us losing our feet to the brutal Canadian winters.....

 Fluid "Border" entry point into Hungary at Mohacs - pun intended as always

 Bridging the Danube

 Docked at Kalocsa

 Viking Aegir takes a well-earned break

 Hungarian Cowboy show

 Whip it good!

 Well-trained steeds

The rhythmic whip song continued through the performance!

 Sit Ubu Sit - Good Horse

 Cowboy games - knock the jug off the stump

 A sip of beer....followed by a race around the ring to see who spills the least!

 Crazy balance and arm and leg strength...especially at full speed!

 Archiepiscopal Palace

 Kalocsa Cathedral

Liszt Ferenc ponders a mental "note"