Active morning, indulgent afternoon

Apart from thermal baths, cycling is also very popular in Hungary. So, to fit in, we will go cycling this morning.

We have forgotten last time’s painful experience on Vulcano island, Italy. The route is not that long today. We will only cycle in the morning, around the lake, and go to a thermal bath this afternoon.

Some of us haven’t forgotten! GDR

Just across the road where we have spent the night, there is a place for renting bikes. The woman who runs the business turns up late. And she gets stressed of having customers already waiting and only one bike to rent. We are such a pain! She gets on her mobile phone and after 10 minutes, someone turns up with a bike. It is all a bit weird. Anyway, we’ve got our bikes and for such a good value, only €3 for 4 hours!

We are given a cycle route map. We have decided to do a circular route, which means a ferry and then cycling back. But we have missed the ferry today, so we are just gonna have to cycle there and back. Boring!

We would have made it to the ferry had she been on time for work!! GDR

The cycle path is nice and easy, although no signs of the lake yet.

We hope we get closer to it a bit later.

We continuously come across big groups of cyclists. The path is quite narrow at times. It become tricky to negotiate the give way.

Uups, train is coming.

We get excited when we get the glimpse of the lake.

The cycle path takes us away from it again. Gary gets bored of waiting for me but I have no intention to hurry up, I am really enjoying my cycling, until he suggests…

…we stop for an ice coffee. Did you say coffee? I wanna get there first.

We are not impressed with our route. The cycle route does not get close to the lake for one bit. On the way back, we find a pedestrian running along the lakeside. We are not meant to be on it but there is no one around at the moment. We go ahead anyway and try to be careful.

This is quite nice. We don’t feel that bad as we have also seen more cyclists breaking the rules. Walkers don’t seem to mind. The path is quite wide, there is plenty of space for everybody.

Being that it is a hot day, are the swans taking a dip to freshen-up ? No, they are showing us their arses to get food!

And this is the end of our cycling. A bit boring but still nice to be out. However, the exciting bit is coming.

This afternoon we are going to Heviz lake, 6-kilometres from Keszhely.

Heviz lake is Europe’s largest thermal lake. It has 4.44 hectares. Springs of different temperatures diffuse in a narrow cave, and become a constant 38,5 °C. I am going to like this .

They claim that the waters and the lake bed’s specific composition contribute to the thermal water’s healing power, and that they are especially good for preventing and treating various types of locomotive disease. I am always quite sceptical about these claims. Most of us have experienced the relaxation and soothing power of warm water, so I think we can all agree on that. However, how effective minerals have to improve or even cure diseases, I am not sure. If it does, it must be a long-term treatment, surely, which is obviously good for business.

Whether these claims are true or not, people still come to these places, anyway, simply because it is a nice experience. The lake is very busy. The average people’s age is around seventy years old.

We are lucky to find a couple of sunbeds.

A mineral water fountain is next to us, and everybody is drinking from it. Although it has an incredibly harsh and earthy taste, we do the same. We may wake up tomorrow being twenty years younger, you never know.

Time to go for a swim. I go for it quickly and confident but I abruptly stop when I dip my toes in the water. F…ing freezing!! . 38.5 °C?? My arse…

Gary is already gone there before me and made some friends with a Dutch fellow swimming next to him. They both take the opportunity at laughing loudly at my reaction. Thanks guys, now everybody is looking.

Everybody has floating doughnuts to  keep them vertical with no need for swimming, as the lake is a few metres deep. They have also put poles in the water for people to rest.

I am too cold to stand still. And it doesn’t get warmer once you are in. So I head off and swim around the lake. Gary follows me. That takes us 20 minutes with a couple of stops. This lake is immense.

I like the way the buildings have been built above the water This is where treatments take place. From here, we can spot people laying on their armchairs, chilling out after being treated.

Lilies have also been introduced to decorate the lake. It is all very calming, comforting, relaxing.

It has been a very nice evening indeed. We like Heviz because it has not lost its natural character. It has not been over constructed with fancy pools, aqua parks, Jacuzzis, bubbling or wave pools. Children wouldn’t have a great deal to do here, which is another reason why it makes it a perfect place to relax. It is also quite affordable, €12 for a full day ticket is not a bad going. So, what else can you ask for?

Warmer water! GDR

The siren has kicked off, the place is about to close. I haven’t noticed that they have all gone. I have been embedded in my book, The Spanish Labyrinth, an account of Spain’s social, economic and political history preceding the Civil War. I highly recommend it, specially, if you are Spanish. It is interesting how this bloody event is seen by an outsider.

Gary went back to the water 20 minutes ago. I better hurry him up. He seems to enjoy having the entire lake for himself.

It seems the old communist building; the spa for the people, is no longer required and is being demolished. The new ones look older than this!

GDR

 

Lets hope they don’t regret destroying all this history, some of it is quite interesting. GDR

Floppy and relaxed, we leave the place.

Tomorrow another spa. From what we have read, it is very different from today’s.

For now, let’s continue our relaxed state in another wild spot, contemplating the sunshine in Dora.

SM