Tihany, on my Mom's Bday! - daysonpaper.com

Because of Mom’s birthday this year, we planned a weekend getaway on June 25th to Tihany — which just happened to coincide with the Tihany Lavender Festival weekend. What luck! Anyone who knows me knows I’m crazy about this plant, and considering the three-hour trip to Lake Balaton as totally doable (especially since Rú and I handled it smoothly — no air conditioning in my car, so we’re true survivors).

After unpacking at the hotel, we immediately took over the beach, which belongs to Club Tihany. Even though the place was full, it never felt crowded, and the other guests were super friendly. The lady at the bar figured out after one drink that I like my ice cream with almonds, Mom with crushed hazelnuts, and Rú found me an outdoor workout park — a fantastic find right on the shore of Lake Balaton.

We also gathered around a ladybug (or actually, I guess it was a bunch of different but easily confused ladybugs), whom Rú regularly rescued from all sorts of tight spots — like almost drowning in the water.

2. day

Our second day in Tihany was the heart of the trip. We planned a pick-your-own lavender breakfast, plenty of sunbathing and cooling off in the water, a birthday dinner in the heart of Tihany, and the Museum Night caught up with us here too!

I personally would have voted for a bit more sunbathing and water time, but our birthday boy was already eager to roam the streets. So, after Rú woke up in the sunny grove by the shore, we gathered ourselves and headed out into the Tihany evening.

We were completely enchanted by the place, and I finally got to indulge my lavender obsession! (:

3. day

These three days flew by too quickly—we barely had time to soak in the atmosphere of life on the northern shore of Lake Balaton before we had to head home. Yet, despite how fast the weekend seemed, we came away enriched with a million experiences (right, Mom??? — haha ;D). Without sparing any effort, we gathered memories in the form of tastes, colors, scents, and images that still fill us to the brim.

The last morning started with packing, a hearty breakfast, and a lazy stroll along the shore in Tihany. Our accommodation, the Hotel Tihany Yacht Club, was bustling that morning with yacht and sailboat owners arriving for an upcoming race. Rú was thrilled with the little boats filling the water—it looked like Lake Balaton had turned into a giant bathtub full of toys!

But we didn’t let that end the magic of the weekend: on the way home, we stopped at Hajógyári Island, just in time to catch the last day of the Children’s Island event series. Honestly, I was ready to be done with the heat and the endless walking across the island (and the air conditioning in the Opel wasn’t working…), but I had promised Rú weeks ago we’d be there, and as the saying goes, a promise is a promise!

So, just before noon, I parked the car in an incredible feat—the gatekeeper squeezed us into a half-car-length spot. Huge thanks to him, because without that, we’d still be wandering around! We then explored the island, and Rú’s joy almost made me forget the exhaustion and heat. Thousands of games, challenges, and fascinating tents made this year’s visit unforgettable. There was a retro area (which was history even for me, and I’m pretty sure Rú had no idea what to make of it), a fairy village, a water park, the Palace of Wonders, and many other amazing experiences that left a lasting impression.

In the afternoon, we got back in the car, and while Rú slept through the trip home, I sent updates to the best men, who were planning a surprise birthday party with his girlfriend for when I’d drop off the birthday boy! The surprise was a huge success—Mom was thrilled with the Dessert Workshop’s (pistachio-coffee) cake and the all-chocolate, heavenly cupcakes. These treats are true masterpieces, with excellent flavor and artistic decoration! I also ordered Rú’s superhero birthday cake from them, which was a big hit!

When the greetings ended, and I finally hauled the suitcases and all our stuff into our home with Rú, we barely finished unpacking before the Hungary-Belgium match started, which we watched with great enthusiasm. Even though we couldn’t do much for the Hungarian team on the field, we are endlessly proud of their play and how they united the nation like nothing I can remember! Go Hungary!!!!