Bratislava, Slovakia

Today we were late leaving Vienna as one of our passengers died during the night.  Not sure what caused his death but he was a diabetic and yesterday he was having problems with his insulin pump.  He was an older man maybe in his 80's.  At any rate, the General Manager gathered us all in the lounge to tell us and to have a moment of silence in his honor.   His body was removed and we were on our way.

I went to the disembarkation talk and the port talk on Budapest.  We will spend all day Sunday in Budapest and then on Monday, all the people but us will get off.  Not sure what we will do that day.

Then I came back to the cabin and took my 10 minute power nap.

Lunch we sat with John and Joan from Tennessee.  They are in the cabin next to us.  Then Joe joined us as Emily was skipping lunch today.  I only had a salad and then an orange.  I need to start eating more healthy.

As we sailed into the city, this is the bridge we saw.  Pretty impressive.

Our tour was a walking tour of the city.  We did not get to go into any buildings so when the tour was over, Bob and I returned to St. Martin's for a visit.  The pictures will tell which buildings we saw.

This is one of the first statues we came to.  It is in honor of the heroes of the wars.

Some of the buildings are quite ornate.

In the park we came across several statues of poets.

This wall is to honor all the Jewish that were killed or had to flee the city.

We did see the US Embassy here in Bratislava.  The only embassy which was being protected.

Our Embassy is located on a street that has a park like walkway in front.

Vendors selling their goods.

Hrad Castle is up on the hill.  We did not go up to see it.

Another sign outside of a shop.

The gate in the back is Michael's Gate.  From olden days.

Lots of these red cars you can take around the city.  Lots of cafe's and pubs.

Two of today's modern sculptors.  Napoleon's visited Bratislava in 1805 then blew up Devin Castle four years later.

This guy is in old town.  They say if you rub his cap, good luck will come your way.

Speaks for itself.

A view of a city square.

City Hall.  You can go through the open front where you enter a courtyard and find St. George slaying the dragon.

A very interesting fountain.

We then returned to St. Martin's Cathedral where we found a side door open.  When we went to leave, the side door was now locked.  Seems we came in where we were not suppose to.

St. Martin's Cathedral.

Inside St. Martin's Cathedral

The rear of the Cathedral.

We returned to the ship and Bob took his nap.  Dinner tonight is the Captain's Farewell Dinner.  Tomorrow is a busy day but we will have dinner with Stephen, Nancy, Joe and Emily.

We had a gathering with the Captain and all of the staff was again introduced.  All the cooks, housekeepers, etc.  A nice way to thank them for a wonderful cruise.

We toasted with bubbly and sat with Stephen, Nancy, Kay and Marilyn.  When we entered the dining room, we were at the end of the line.  The four others sat at a table for four so we were left out.  We found two seats at a six top and sat there.  So we met Jim and Joan from Canada and Pat and Gordon from California.  Jim is retired Admiral in the Navy in Canada.  We had a great dinner.  We closed up the dining room.

Back to the cabin for lights out.