Saturday, June 8, 2013
Baja to Dávod-Püspökpuszta, 40 km, total 1490 km
Sunny and 25C

Dávodi Kemping és Szabadidópark double room 7600 HUF. + Brfst 800 pp + 3 00 pp tax (over age 70, tax exempt)

 
Going Country

We were surprised to wake up to clear blue sky. The forecast had been rain. We know bad weather can roll in real fast but again we were cautiously optimistic that it would stay nice.

We soon found the path to the dyke where we stayed for 21 km on paved path till Dunafalva. This is from where the last ferry left day before at 5pm. And instead of following the official route by crossing the Donau in a rush yesterday, we had decided to "go country" and find our way past small villages to small town of Dávod where several accommodation possibilities are.


Bogged Down in the Mud

Again we found ourselves on lovely firm dirt track past fields of wheat, clover and corn. We were fat, dumb and happy until the trail deteriorated, a first to a more grassy track, then bigger mud puddles, and finally, there were no tracks at all and we found ourselves riding waste deep in weeds and wildflowers. By now we had ridden so far that we agreed turning around was out of the question. We pressed on, bushwhacking through forested land with thick thorny and mosquito infested undergrowth. Eventually we reached a muddy track that had enough tire tracks in it to promise a way to civilization. In no time a good portion of the mud clung to our tires and breaks. It built up like a snowball. We couldn't ride. It was too deep and slippery. So we pushed, and pushed and slid in muddy tractor tire ruts. This is the first time I have seen Junko's shoes look less than perfectly clean. Thick clods of black mud accompanied us on our shoes too. Dave's Google GPS signal proved to be indispensable when we escaped the mud and came to a crossing. (We would have missed all the muddy fun had he turned it on sooner) We turned left by some trees onto a small paved road, which surprisingly, emerged into a real village.

 
Cleaning Up at Dávodi Kemping

Back on track, we stopped under a large oak on breezy spot and had our lunch. It was only another 7 km till we reached the small village with a big name, Dávod-Püspökpuszta. I won't even try to pronounce that.

We followed the GPS dot and Google map to Dávodi Kemping and checked out the new looking complex. The girl at reception office showed us around. The rooms in the hotel building are small but adequate and more importantly, clean. Our building has about eight rooms upstairs and two large kitchens below where breakfast will be served in the morning. We were told we could use the washing machine, normally after 4 pm, but she said it was ok to use it now (2pm). Great because we were in dire need of clean clothes. She unlocked rooms as we went along and it seemed like we may be the first customers of the season.

Next she walked us past an Olympic size pool, another shallow pool and 2 murky looking natural thermal baths. The water is piped in from natural hot springs, 33-35C. Japanese hot-springs vary but Junko and Hiro prefer 38C or hotter. A water park is also part of all this fun. The girl told us that most people just come for the day.

The camping had spacious lots for campers with electrical outlets, all surprisingly modern compared to the simple surrounding villages and farms. Apart from a few day guests floating in the thermal baths, we were the only guests. No camper or tent to be found.

We were somewhat chagrined when the girl told us the water park's snack bar was the only place to get a meal nearby. Contrary to our expectations, we had a wonderful dinner of fish with a cucumber, bell-pepper and tomato salad at the small snack bar.

 
Junko and Hiro note;

To Dabot
街外れにある大型保養地域。そこには、温泉プール、ふつうのプール、
子供用遊泳プール、ホテル、レストランがある。その一角の広々としたキャンプ場
にある宿舎に泊まった。ここにくる迄の途中で迷って広大な畑の農道に紛れ込み、
泥だらけの畑道や、虫だらけの林を抜け出た頃には、自転車も靴もドロドロ。
宿舎にある洗濯機のお陰で助かった。自転車も洗ったり大変な一日であった。

 
How Much Are We Spending Per Day?

Without really trying, our average daily spend for the two has dropped to $91.50 while in Hungary. That is 70% of what we were spending in Germany and Austria.

It seems most the people we meet are camping and should have much lower costs. But we read one study that claims the average cyclist spends 53 euro per day in Europe, not far off our tally.

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References: 

....1) The Danube Cycle Way; Donaueschingen to Budapest by John Higginson
... 2) Bikeline Maps & Guides; Donau-Radweg 4, (5 books in the series)

Our plan in a nutshell; 2900 total kilometers at 50 km per day - 2 days riding for 1 day off for a total of 58 riding days & 90 total days - April to July, 2013 :)