Crowns and Buses
Happy Tuesday ladies. Iām pretty sure itās Wednesday here. We are ensconced in Budapest and busy seeing the sights. It’s vacillating between bright sun and torrential thunderstorms so I’m glad I packed for all occasions.
I traveled wearing black ponte knit pants, white no-iron shirt, tweed sweater/blazer, and sport sandals. I did have a small malfunction while traveling but it wasn’t with my wardrobe. Right before we boarded our second flight, I bit into a lifesaver and cracked a back crown in two.
I wasn’t blessed with good teeth. #understatement. Over the course of my adult life, I’ve needed multiple implants, root canals, and crowns. 
By the time we finally got to our hotel, my hair was trashed more than usual. I have a theory on that and am putting my thoughts together for a post. I pinned it up with a classy banana clip, switched my earrings, swapped the necklace for a scarf and changed into closed toe mules for dinner out.
We were blurry eyed from being awake for 29+ hours (I can’t sleep on planes) so dragged ourselves to the Caviar and Bull, which is attached to our hotel.
Today we took the hop-on-hop-off bus around town to stay dry and save our energy. Yup, we’re those folks that take this bus in many cities we visit. Cheesy as it may seem, it gives you a broad overview so you know what to zero in on later. 
This is the Danube but that’s not our cruise ship. Tomorrow we hope to wander around on foot when we’ve got some energy back.
Can you sleep on flights? How do you do it?
I hope to get better outfit pictures going forward. Today I wore the same no-iron white shirt as yesterday (no-iron is fabulous stuff) over a black tank and black jeans with a pink silk scarf and black sneakers.
Have a great one ladies.
Heard about the terrible boat accident and praying that you are safe.
I finally learned to sleep on planes by covering up with one of those travel blankets. (God Forbid the airline ones, even if they deign to offer you one) Something about covering up, I guess, that makes me thinkI am in a bed???? It works, anyway.
Thanks so much for taking the time to update us on your adventures, your outfits, your teeth ?, and everything else.
You look great, too. Have fun!
So wise. Covering up does signal my mind that itās time to sleep. The airline blankets are so cheesy, I seldom want to use them. I should have brought out my cashmere wrap to cuddle under.
We just got back yesterday from a month in Croatia and the Balkans. 11-hour flights! My advice for sleeping on planes: collect a good set of “props.” Foam earplugs (get used to them before you leave — the feeling is a bit weird), an eye-mask with molded foam cups so they don’t press on your lids, an inflatable pillow with a soft cover and a snap/clasp that lets you fasten the two sides together so your head doesn’t fall forward, crew socks and Dr. Scholl’s Fast Flats so you can take your heavy shoes off, and a soft cardigan that you can wear backwards to keep your torso and arms warm. Use an extra jacket or pillow to cushion the hard armrest. If your seat headrest has this feature, curve the adjustable sides forward to cradle your head. We find it so worthwhile to invest a few hundred dollars in the Premium Economy seats. The extra leg room makes all the difference!
Those are brilliant suggestions Susan. Getting used to the feel of these āpropsā is such wise advice. Thanks for sharing.
Sorry to hear about the crown problem and hope it doesn’t cause you problems during the trip. Eager to see your photos. I’ve always wanted to take a river cruise.
I fly often and I canāt sleep sitting up. Never could. On such long flights from CA to Europe I sometimes stop somewhere for a 4 hour layover and nap at the airlines luxury lounge for about $50. Or I rest at the airport chapel. Finding a quiet place on the ground helps. Also noise canceling headphones. Without sound. Just getting rid of the dull roar.
Those are clever ideas Marian. Iād never thought of them.
Jennifer,
Your hair looks really good put up. I was thinking that when I first saw the picture before I read your comments. You should wear it up more often!
Thank you Mary. Itās not my favorite because my hair is so thin. Then again, itās better up and thin than down and scraggly.
Jennifer, you look smashing and I love the jacket on you! Thank you for sharing your travel wardrobe with us, it will be super helpful for me in the future. And, as for Hop on, Hop off buses…no they are not cheesey, they are the best insight into a city. And many times, you get the most entertaining and knowledgeable bus driver ever that has a real passion for his home! Wishing wonderful travels!
Thanks Darlene. Weāve always felt that way about hop on hop off buses too.
We have done the hop on/hop off buses in cities like NYC and Sydney. They are pretty fabulous. We love them. I can’t sleep on planes either. My husband is usually asleep before the seat belt sign goes off. I bring knitting and get a LOT done on long flights…
Iād I could find my knitting, I would have brought it. I love knitting on planes;)
Weāre taking that same Viking cruise in October. We love Viking and did the Rhine a couple of years back. Weāre also bad plane sleepers and take the hop on off bus our first day as well as it keeps us awake until we can crash after dinner. Enjoy every minute!
We are currently researching hotels in Budapest for an October trip before our river cruise. I would love to hear any pros and cons about your stay. Thanks in advance!
We love the Corinthia. Itās beautiful and the service is wonderful. And the beds are SO comfortable. I highly recommend it.
Thank you, Jennifer.
The last time I flew to Paris, I was in the center row and had all three seats to myself and still couldn’t sleep!
I think the bus tours are a great way to see a city you are unfamiliar with, especially if you’re still getting over a long flight. It sometimes helps me acclimate and know where I do want to walk and explore.
And I feel your pain on your dental challenges. Just happy you aren’t feeling any dental pain on your trip and can enjoy your travels. And, as always, you look great!
I did see folks all stretched out across multiple seats. I donāt think I could sleep like that either. Thank you
Jennifer, I share your grief with regards to teeth. I also have multiple implants, crowns, root canals etc. I get most of my expensive work done in Costa Rica, at less than 25% of US cost. I bet if you googled, you would find the same in Budapest! Get the crown fixed while youāre there! Just be sure to ask the dentist if they have an in house lab and if they can complete during your trip. Crowns in Costa Rica are $500 and my dental insurance covers at the same rate as if I were in the states. Enjoy your trip!
Wow! Crowns from my dentist cost 4 times that. Iām going to have to think about your idea. Dental work is so expensive.
How do you find good dentists in Costa Rica? I ha e a crown that needs replacing
Almost all our vacays are long-haul flights and we never go less than business class — we decided a few years ago that if we ever can’t afford at least business, we’ll save up until we can because long-haul economy is torture! I also swear by: 1. a good set of Mack’s ear plugs (the foam ones are useless); AND 2. a hat for when we arrive (you simply can’t get decent rest if you’re worried about the condition of your hair). Cheers!
Well, I did have the hat!
My crown broke the day before Thanksgiving. Itās never easy! We try to accumulate enough frequent flyer points to book seats that lie down flat on overseas flights. Those you can sleep on. We slept all the way to China. Your posts are helping me organize my wardrobe for our Baltic cruise at the end of July
We adored our Baltic cruise!! It wasnāt warm (we went in the summer) so bring layers.
I always book the window seat. On the day of a long flight I get up early and workout more than usual so I’m tired on the flight. I avoid alcohol and sleep the flight away š
Great ideas. Youāre so lucky to sleep on flights.
Go shop at Vaci Utca and definitely go to the market! And to the church on the top of Buds. Buy some paprika.
On our list! Thanks
Girlfriend, stay far away from those lifesavers! They are deadly! You look great for being on such a long flight. I too cannot sleep on the plane. When we went to Ireland last year we immediately checked into the hotel at the airport to sleep after arriving at 7am. We slept till noon, had lunch, and just relaxed. We found this helped us get back on track after not sleeping. Funny you are in Budapest! We have friends on a Viking cruise that starts in Budapest, and goes through a lot of spots in Germany, and I think ends up in Prague. That would be a hoot if you are on the same cruise! Don’t worry about your hair! Mine was a mess in Ireland.
I wonāt be eating lifesavers again. I canāt believe thatās all it took to crack this crown. There are so many Americans getting on Viking ships here, itās amazing.
I’m anxious to follow your trip! We are on a cruise from Bucharest to Budapest during the last 2 weeks of June. I’m still debating my travel wardrobe – it all depends on the weather! We are stopping over in Paris for 2 nights on the way to Bucharest. We like to have a day or two to acclimate to the new time zones. And, I like to plan a stopover if the flight is really long. And, well, Paris! The best I can manage on a long flight is to rest, I never really sleep. My husband travels with Ambien and I usually borrow one when we get to our destination.
We planned to spend some time in Paris but really need to get home to move. Have fun! Paris is always wonderful.
It’s taken years to figure out how to make myself comfortable on a plane. An eye mask and ear plugs to make it as dark and quiet as possible, a good neck pillow but also an inflatable foot pillow. It gets your feet off the cold floor but more importantly, relieves pressure on your back.
Great tips! I need one of those neck pillows. Iāll have to find an inflatable one because I donāt want to travel with it around my neck the way I see so many people doing in airports these days.
bus hopping but better walking is a priority when you visit a city for the first time . If you get problems with your
teeth , Hungary has very good dentist clinics and are cheep too. For a long haul flight I will recommend 1 sleep pill.
Anyway you look quite relaxed after 29 hrs . Enjoy your cruise.
I’ve only taken one very long flight – Toronto to Rome with a stop over in Montreal. I couldn’t sleep and the seats were uncomfortable. It was the best vacation ever but the flight was miserable!
Itās horrible to arrive feeling so exhausted.
Budapest is such a beautiful, fascinating place. So glad you have time to see it before your river cruise leaves. I LOVE your pink polka dot scarf with the pink tweed blazer. A cool, fun look! Enjoy your trip and keep posting pictures.
You look great! I’ll be interested to read more about your journey. We’re taking a river cruise from Linz to Budapest in July and spending a week in Prague beforehand, followed by a week in Budapest afterwards. How was the restaurant?
I highly recommend the restaurant. It was delicious and such a cool atmosphere.
But not Hungarian food
Lots of good dentists in Hungary in fact many people from UK travel there for implants crowns etc as even with travel and hotel cheaper than private treatment here.
I canāt sleep either on planes ?. Also agree with you on the ho-ho buses. Great way to relax and get your bearings. Have not done a river cruise so enjoy seeing your posts. And.. you look fabulous.
We have been on the river cruise from Budapest to Prague .. loved it, if you get a chance to have a drink or the like at the Boscolo Hotel, it is gorgeous. Also, the market in the center of town is great. We also take the Hop on Hop Off in cities we visit to get a good overview of everything. I dont have the ability to sleep on a plane either so I feel your pain.
You look great – enjoy your cruise and I look forward to seeing your pics and thoughts – am fresh off a hip replacement so will travel with you vicariously.
How exciting! I take a dental kit I buy at the drugstore that has some dental “cement” in it to stick the crown back on temporarily. I have needed it more than once, unfortunately. I am the envy of everyone I know because I can zonk right out on a plane and sleep for hours. It’s a gift. LOL.
You do look very nice despite all the weather and the tooth issues. Had a trip awhile back where we visited Budapest, Prague and…..trying to remember! Alas! I remember the bridge crossing between Buda and Pest, and some buildings with bullet holes with plaques noting WWII. Interesting places. I remember one other thing that kept a mark on me…..the sadness in the faces if many if the people we observed, as residents not tourists. It was a but eerie.
On sleeping on planes I don’t either. I do try, but it never quite happens! I need to sleep flat out. Cramped in a seat just doesn’t work! I really don’t enjoy the first full day of arrival unless I can nap. That rarely happens either. Still each trip is a learning experience. In that area you may find some deals on garnet jewelry…if you like garnets.
Iāve only been on two long flights (to Hawaii & back to ATL), and sleeping was a problem. An eye mask did let me get about two hrs of sleep, though. I sort of curled up and laid my head on the left armrest. We were in 1st class so my husband was on the aisle seat and I felt āsafe.ā That is a major part of the sleeplessness issue.
My husband loves those buses. The other day he suggested we take one where we live. lol You look lovely (in spite of the hectic travel.) Enjoy your trip!