August 6: Hungary: Some of My Favorite Things

Now that I’m heading north back to where this summer’s journey started, I’ll be traveling through some of the same countries as before, giving me a unique opportunity to revisit some of my favorite places. Last night’s lodging and dinner did not disappoint.

Arriving at Boutique Hotel Sopianae yesterday, I pulled into the flat, paved, secure parking area and checked in with Balint, the friendly manager there. With a small market right across the street and dozens of restaurants within walking distance this establishment is perfectly situated in the picturesque town of Pecs, Hungary.

Strolling through the city’s streets, I took in the brightly colored stucco buildings, many of which were created in a Romanesque style of architecture with round arches, tall pillars, large towers, and decorative accents. Pedestrians thronged along the sidewalk in this University town, stopping at little shops and cafes and snacking on gelato and other treats.

Turning off on Kiraly Street, I headed to Bloff Biztro, giddy with anticipation for what I was sure would be a great meal like the one I had eaten there a few weeks ago. My face lit up when they served me my medium rare tenderloin steak grilled with herb butter and served with rosemary polenta, cognac infused pepper sauce, pak choi, and roasted pepper caviar. The little yellow and purple edible flowers added a burst of color to the already visually appealing plate.

I savored each bite of the tender juicy meat and perfectly spiced polenta, using homemade bread to sop up the remaining sauce and not leaving a drop of food on my plate.

Heading west towards Slovenia this morning, I rode mostly on backroads, allowing me the time and luxury to take in the beautiful farmlands as I passed by. I could smell the freshly cut grass and newly baled hay, hear the horses’ feet clopping on the village streets, and see the miles of perfectly lined up corn stalks standing tall in their fields.

The border crossing into Slovenia was one of my easiest yet. The guard standing at the checkpoint waved me on without even looking at my papers, allowing me to continue on my way without even putting my kickstand down. Shortly thereafter I arrived in Maribor for the evening. Another great day on the bike!