Four Kisses at Fisherman’s Bastion

The name Fisherman’s Bastion came from the guild of fishermen that  defended this stretch of the city walls in the Middle Ages.    From the banks of the river,  they climbed up to this hill to stand mightily against any attack.  They could view the enemies from the terrace. The place has many stairs and narrow hallways.

The main portion of the terrace has been converted into a fine dining restaurant called Halaszbastya.  That was were we dined last April.
Federal Phoenix Insurance, led by Mon Dimacali, hosted the sumptuous dinner which was arranged by Cynthia Nakpil.

When Edmund and I went for an early dinner last November 4 without prior reservation, we found the waiters busy setting up  the tables for big business groups which had advanced reservations.  They didn’t have an extra table to accommodate the two of us. I reserved a table for the following night although we’re not sure if we still want to take a cab again to come back here.

There’s a less formal restaurant also on the same terrace, adjacent to the more formal dining area.  It also has panoramic views of the Danube and the city of Pest.

They offered a 3-course set menu for only 2,995 Hungarian forint.

Delicious pumpkin soup with seeds.

I finished the  soup, left the seeds.   I didn’t know you could include the pumpkin seeds in the dishes.   Ang alam ko lang na butong pakwan eh yung kinukukot ng papa ko nung araw habang nanonood sya ng Hawaii Five’O and Streets of San Francisco.

The main course was diced pork with potatoes, parang lutong menudo. It was also good.   We missed steamed rice.  This would be perfect with steaming hot dinurado rice.

We enjoyed our simple meal and enjoyed the same panoramic views without the sophistication of fine dining set up and high price.

The two restaurants have a common kitchen and shared WC.

It was not even 5 pm and yet when we went out of the restaurant, the sky had turned dark.

The Halászbástya or Fisherman’s Bastion is located on the Castle Hill just behind the Matthias Church, high above the Buda bank of the River Danube. The terrace overlooking the Parliament and the Pest side of the city is made of limestone in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style.

It was designed and built between 1895 and 1902 on the plans of Frigyes Schulek. Construction of the bastion destabilized the foundations of the neighboring 13th century Dominican Church which had to be torn down. From 1947–48, the son of Frigyes Schulek, János Schulek, conducted the restoration project after its near destruction during World War II. (Wikipedia)

Edmund didn’t want to have his picture taken here. I told him when I saw the stunning view last April, nahinayang ako that he wasn’t with us. Tapos ngayon, we were given this rare privilege to be here again, ayaw pang magpa-picture. Tatayo lang sya at mag-i-smile eh ayaw pa. KJ talaga yan minsan.

Ako nga ayaw ko na ring magpa-picture kasi nakaka dismaya na yung mukha ko. Pangit na pangit na ako pero wala talaga tayong magagawa, sobrang na-stress ako this year, napa bilis ang pagtanda. Pero kailangan pa ring magpa-picture for our memory bank. Ten years from now, I will find this photo very beautiful “Ohh I looked gorgeous pala ten years ago”.

It was hard to take photos without photo bombers (other tourists blocking the view aka space and sea invaders).

E——“Ang hirap naman, o , haharang pa”.
Omb—-“Tart ang gugulo ng kamag-anak mo”.
E——“Ha ha ha”.

“Ano, balik na tayo?”

“Lalakarin lang ba natin pabalik?”

“Yap, kaya natin yan”.

Omb—-“Ops, tart, panay ang halikan nung dalawa”.

Omb—-“Ay tart, hayun naka dalawa na, ako rin halikan mo”.

E— haha

Omb—–“Bilisan mo ako rin”.

Tsup!

Omb—-“Ay, naka apat na sya.  Tart, halikan mo ulit ako”.

E——–“Huwag kang magulo”.

Omb—–“Hindi pwede”.

E——-“Ayaw mong malamangan ha”.

Tsup! Tsup!

E——-“Ano ba yan natulo na sipon natin sa ginaw”.

Omb——“Kulang pa ng isa, apat yun.  Hindi pwede syang makalamang sa akin”.

E—- l o l   Tsup!

Hindi tayo patatalo sa mga space and sea invaders na yan.  Kung apat na halik sila,  tayo rin.  Hindi tayo palalamang kahit kailan.  Isulong ang bansang Pilipinas!!!!

After four kisses (smacks only), we energetically crossed the bridge on foot.

Malayo pa

Isang kilometro na lang

‘lapit na, that’s our hotel

Fifty steps na lang

Sofitel building

Konti na lang

Ay salamat, we’re here.

Omb—–“Sino ba yang istatwa na yan?”

E———“Tumingala ka lang  pati yung mga dumadaan naki tingala rin”.

November 4, 2015