Ever Eastward

From Ulm in Germany, I decided to head away from the monotonous motorways of Germany towards the mountain roads of Austria. Took the quiet back roads to get there. Much more interesting. The weather was still a little threatening, but it stayed mostly dry. As I got closer to Austria, the frequency of passing bikers increased. In particular, the numbers of the Beemer 1200 GS rose to epidemic proportions. It must have been over a hundred in the course of the day, it became mesmeric, seeing the same bike go past again and again and again and................Didn't see a single other XT Tenere. Much more exclusive model! Ended the day in Salzburg in the obligatory Irish bar. Not really feeling the trip at this point; western Europe is pretty uniform in many ways, so ever eastwards!

The following day dawned to clear blue skies and soaring temperatures. Now that is more like it! A stunning ride over the mountains towards Graz before heading into Hungary. The landscape and culture are changing, and I am feeling the trip now. Ended up in a place whose name I won't pretend to be able to pronounce, about 100 kms short of Budapest. So it was a short ride the next day to play tourist for half a day in Budapest, a city I know nothing about. My research didn't extend that far. I am staying in a street full of bars, which is nice. Currently in the mid 30s, damn hot, so I may have to make use of the aforementioned bars. Just to keep hydrated, you understand. Heading towards Romania tomorrow (that is where the Romans came from, right?)

Soundtrack: Pink Floyd - Set the controls for the heart of the sun (although my headphones have broken, will buy new ones in Budapest).