Wednesday, August 5- Bratislava, Slovakia, temperature was over 100 degrees.

Today, we split into two groups. One group, Jessica, Shannon,  and Sue went to the castle while the Anna, Mary, Jenny, Pat, and Jo went on a random excurusion. 

Anna, Mary, Jenny, Pat, and Jo found a bike trail that lead east out of the city. While riding, they  found the training center for the Slovakian Olympic crew, rowing, and kayak team. They continued back towards the city and found Soviet Era housing built in the 1950's to handle the baby boom.  Mary and Jenny returned to the ship while Anna, Pat, and Jo did a quick ride west on the river to ride across the UFO bridge. We biked 24 miles today.

Jessica, Shannon, and Sue went to the castle. They had a trail angel who helped them get to the castle, a faster way and even helped carry their heavy bikes up the stairs. At the castle they saw all of the grounds, a beautiful view of the city, statues, ancient Roman ruin walls, and the royal castle gardens which included the bonsai fruit trees. They left the castle grounds and went down to Old Town for some shopping and attractions. 

We all had to be back on the ship by 12:00 pm. Lunch was served at 1:00. After lunch, some of us played Euchre, while Shannon and Jessica did crafts to get ready for the pirate party tonight.

What we were supposed to do today:

Visegrad- Vac (ride 22 miles)

The Danube bend is definitely a delightful part andd is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today's bike leg starts at Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace. We will cycle through the picturesque countryside via the Szentendre Peninsula to the baroque village of Vac, which has been influenced by the architects of the Austrian empress Maria Theresia. Via small Hungarian villages we will return to Visegrad. In afternoon we will ship to Bratislava.