Budapest and home for Stanley

Stanley was really impressed by the Hungarian Parliament building.  It wouldn’t even fit in a single photo  easily.  It has more than 20 entrances, and this one is only used for special occasions.
Stanley helped Baba B address and send postcards.  If the post office cooperates, Opal and Malachy should get one in about a month.
Stanley had his last meal on the boat, a traditional Hungarian  dish.  It was great.  We were sitting with friends.
Stanley on one of the flights home.  If you look closely you can see the pilot and all the controls in the cockpit.  A flight attendant is preparing meals for passengers.  Stanley looks forward to seeing Malachy and opal again and telling them all about his adventures.

Stanley tries Viennese pastries

Stanley checking out the menu for hot chocolate, coffee and pastry at a traditional coffeehouse in beautiful Vienna, Austria
Stanley feels it’s difficult to choose between all the delicious options.  Which would you choose?
More options
Stanley helping Baba B and Grandpa Ray with their hot chocolates and cakes   He feels that it was all very tasty
The shop had samples of marzipan Disney figures that they use to decorate cakex
Tigger was Stanley’s favorite
This is a “gold plated” pedi-cab.  It is powered by a bicyclist in the front.
This is the cathedral with a newer roof to replace that destroyed in WWII
Another portion of the new roof on the cathedral.  Stanley thought this was extra cool.
Stanley with the guide yourself tour app card for Vienna.  He saw everything so now he’s tired and is going to take a nap.

Stanley has a new adventure

Stanley heard about a dachshund museum nearby and got excited
But today’s adventure required a ride in a choo choo train with Grandpa Ray and Baba B.  It went up the hill to Dümstein, a town known for a castle where king Richard I (Richard the lionhearted) was imprisoned, for apricots, and wine.
Stanley posing with a castle tower in the background
Stanley on the banks of the Danube river he has been traveling on.
The locals in Dümstein surprised Stanley by being dressed in lederhosen (men) and a dirndl (woman). Stanley enjoyed his visit and bought a treat for Malachy and Opal

Stanley in Passau

This is Stanley’s boat
Stanley is posing by the Danube river which is the river he has been cruising
The buildings have marks showing how high the flood waters have risen in previous years .  Most of the marks are taller than Stanley, Baba B and Grandpa Ray
Stanley found it confusing that the big number on this building is actually 1499.  The second number is a half 8 or 4. number
This is a rent a beer fountain, but Stanley thought it made a comfortable bench

Regensburg with Stanley

Stanley’s home away from home:  the ama sonata boat
Stanley taking a selfie in the duck level windows
The Danube, the river we’re traveling on
Lover locks on the canal walls. Stanley thought this was silly
A brewery that brews beer to support an old folks home.  Beer here is considered a health food for children, adults and even babies– a leftover from the middle ages when water was polluted.
Stanley liked the egg decorations on the fountain.
Stanley went through the brewery to see how the beer was made
The tanks were huge!!
From the dachshund museum!!  Stanley liked this tableau of puppies.
The cathedral is huge and beautiful.  It’s continually under construction, even now. 
Stanley thought the pretzel was a bit large.
Stanley with his meal of pretzel, sweet mustard and beer

Stanley explores Nuremberg

Stanley had a sweet pecan caramel desert on the way to our ship in Nuremberg
He thought the ship beds were cozy
He made lots of new friends on the boat.  These were from Arkansas
Looking at the bronze map of the overlook at the castle
The overlook
Stanley liked the half timbered buildings
We’re all in a cafe letting Stanley try the local sausage, lebkuchen, and beer

Stanley tries Czech food

Stanley liked the teams in Prague. So did Baba B and Grandpa Ray as they were free for folks over 65.  But one had to be careful crossing the street because trams can’t stop for you so we could become a flat Baba b and a flat ray if we weren’t careful.
Graffiti is popular in most cities.
Stanley tried Czech goulash, which is supposedly different from Hungarian goulash.
Stanley had homemade lemonade but Grandpa Ray had local beer
Stanley’s favorite was the schnitzel.

Stanley in Prague

Stanley is excited to explore this beautiful city
Stanley posed with Grandpa Ray but Ray hid his face
The double eagle of the Hapsburg
Stanley took a picture of Grandpa Ray and Baba B
Stanley enjoyed watching the soldiers march by
A dramatic view of the city showing all the towers and spires
Stanley thought it was cool that Prague had its own Eiffel Tower just like paris (but smaller)
Stanley thought this red moose was fun.
Stanley went beer tasting.  The Czech Republic is known for excellent beers.
One of our cruise friends helped Stanley try a sip of beer.  He wasn’t sure whether he liked it or not.

Stanley loves Texas

Stanley thought this castle at the Dallas airport was the coolest.
Waiting for our digital key to activate, we had a nice lunch.  Stanley had toffee pudding.
Stanley took over the whole king sized bed.  He takes up more space on the bed than even Luca does.
Meanwhile, Luca is having fun in Albuquerque

Luca and friends say hi to Stanley