Cycling in Hungary, Kunhegyes: Berekfurdo to Hotel Panorama at Tiszaors

If you want to go on a similar trip, with tour guides Peter and Marietta, please look here: http://www.velo-touring.hu/

2nd day of our cycling holiday:

Breakfast was at Hotel Touring in Berekfurdo on the second floor, where we had been assigned a conference room to eat. It was a bit cramped, with seating close alongside to the serve-yourself table. At least the hot beverages were good, with Earl Grey tea available. The super large oranges were also a great success.

We set off in the bus back to Kunhegyes where we parked up opposite to the large white Calvin church. Peter had the key to the gate and church and we all went inside. We were given a brief talk about it being the second oldest in Hungary and a few of us then explored around. Shortly before we left the church Joan wandered off and nearly got locked inside. Had she been left there we noted that there was an old sandwich roll left on a chair near the entrance that might have kept her going for a while. At least she had not climbed up into the roof and investigated the belfry and rafters and some of the views out - which are decidedly long distance from the top of such a tall building in the middle of a vast plain. All was well for Joan and, without stopping for an ice cream, we got on our cycles and cycled off in a northerly direction to Abadszalok.

Shortly after Abadszalok we cycled onto a dyke beside the river Tisza lakes which had been used to absorb some of the recent flood waters. We continued along the embankment till we reached a camping ground just short of TiszaFüred where we sat in the new eating area under a nice new roof supported by some intricate woodwork. The view round about was disappointing as there were many small water craft collected all around looking dirty and old. Some has obviously been rescued from the recent flows, dragged up and taken over to the 'safe' side of the dyke. Several were for sale. At least the weather was sunny and warm. None the less we had a good cooked lunch with hot goulash soup prepared in a cauldron. Peter and Marietta were very helpful and coffee and cake were very welcome after a 15 minute snooze.

Then back on the cycles for some 20km south towards Tiszaors. About half way we stopped for a drinks break at a railway museum where there was a man powered 3 wheel railway cycle and some similar curios like a train bogie carriage (4 wheels) powered by a two stroke motor cycle engine.

The last short section was by coach along a busy road. After a hot and busy day with very light easterly winds we all arrived 'glowing' but with no noteable mosquito bites, which we had been warned about but had managed to avoid.

Hotel Panorama at Tiszaors had a thermal bath directly opposite through an iron gate. I'm sitting here in the hotel room on the top floor with the curtains drawn against the hot, late afternoon, sun and with the sound of cookoos through the open window. The room is compact but we are happy. Chris had a massage at around 5:30pm.

Afterwards, while the sun was still hot we went over to the thermal bath. There was a small covered thermal pool over the far side but it was no warmer than the big outdoor pool. The big outdoor pool was deep and fine for swimming. Eric spent some time standing directly in front of the hot water inlet pipe which was close to the entrance steps and partially cooked himself.

Any comments please e-mail Eric/Chris Johnston.