One of the things I've been wanting to do on August 20th, was watch the fireworks from a boat on the Danube. This year it was exactly what we had done - the Budapest Young Professionals boarded the Nagymaros around 7:30 p.m. and our cruise began happily enough.

There were reports of possible rain for the evening but we all hoped that it would wait until after the fireworks. Initially, we were to anchor at 9:30 to watch the fireworks and be back at dock by 10.

As to be expected, everyone crowded into the uncovered back of the boat in anticipation of the fireworks. I did notice a couple of lighting bolts that lit the heavy clouds by that time and decided that they must have brought the time up to 9 p.m. to avoid the rain. Boats stopped and the fireworks began - breathtaking sight from so close!!

Curiosity got the best of me after a while and decided to venture to the back of the boat to get a better look - and just at that moment, a gust of wind began hit that literally took my breath away. Eyes closed, fighting for breath, bracing onto something along the way I was stunned. The next moment there was water pouring and so were screaming people pouring back into the boat. Crowd mentality had always been a frightening possibility for me and on a small scale I had to admit that this fear is justified. I could just imagine what was taking place on shore as the thousands that moments ago sat in awe moments ago along both banks of the Danube began to run for cover.

Eventually, the people calmed down and all of us moved downstairs into the glassed in portion of the boat, but the steam on the windows and the heavy rain made it impossible to see anything but the occasional colorful blur of the continuing fireworks. We were all OK and had no idea of the tragedy that had taken place elsewhere on the river - until the news this morning.

There was a boat collision on the water and three lives were lost as well as one person still missing. What we did see was the glassware and vendors goods turned to rubbish near Vigado square, tree branches (including a significant one that landed and crushed a vehicle) and window glass scattered.

All in all, weve had a good adventure and are very thankful that other than being wet, we were safe!! I can't make any promises about the weather, but I would hope that our day trip to Esztergom on September 2, will not be enriched with such an adventure.