We arrived about 7 ish, checked in and asked about dinner.mthe expressionless hostess looked at us and shook her head. We were tired from a long drive and starving. She then indicated that one hotel might be open...there is not a lot of choice here. It was raining...she said it was about 10 minutes so we walked....and walked...and walked...in the rain. Asked for directions along the way...and found it. Bedraggled we entered a heavenly Myln "Romantik" hotel. Sat at a very posh, white linen table...we were in shorts and wet...and delighted over their menu. First rate. Settled for baked pork, with extras of green beans and bacon. Salivated for an hour or more and then it arrived...looked great. Then we realised that the lovely waitress failed to grasp that we wanted a meal each. So we shared. It was delicious...but walked back in the rain still hungry. We will clarify next time.
Headed into Prague the next day...a very nice comfortable train...time seemed to pass quickly. Stations are great...often no platforms so people walk on to the track to board. Arrived at Praha and set off to Wenceslas Square. From there we sought out the Dancing House...a weirdly shaped building of glass and steel. If you purchased a drink from the coffee shop on the glass room at the top, you could go out to the viewing platform. Seemed like a great arrangement so we did. Latte later we walked out...in the rain..and got great view over the river to the old town and castle area. It was quite something. Decided to tram along the river to Charles Bridge...walked half way along because it was so wet. Out of the blue we stumbled on to Old Market Square....it was fantastic. It didn't matter which way you looked it was beautiful. Old buildings...in beautiful colours. Nicholas church was there and so was the astronomical clock...which I'd really wanted to see. This clock dates back to the 15 th century and was fantastic. We paid a few dollars and caught the lift up...very civilised. The views back down over the square were great...and you could see Prague Castle in the distance. The old tower itself was built in 1338 so the sense of time and history is amazing. Got a bit drizzly again so stopped off at a Italian place in the square for some lunch. Refreshed after a delicious pizza we continued our travels. Strolled around the Jewish Quarter for a while and started to head home...we had left at 10.00 and it was heading towards 5.00 so we were getting tired. Along the way found a shop...Blue Glass Designs...that designs and makes there own glassware. Loved their pieces...think we will indulge and purchase something when we back in a day or so.
Note...went back to Myln "Romantik" Hotel and had a baked pork dish EACH...much better.
Decided we (I) needed a rest...leg a bit sore. Hung around Karlstejn for the day. Headed up to the castle. It's a km up a cobblestones hill so BR walked and I tried get the shuttle up....only a few cars are allowed up. Grumpy shuttle man would not take me unless I got 3 more people. After waiting 30 minutes a kind family let me join their horse and cart ride up. Sucks...to be you shuttle man...no money from me today. The ride up was lovely...old fashioned shops etc. this is a very old castle, Gothic in style, built around the 1330s. It has a lot of significance to the Czech people. Went on a tour through the castle, with a girl who was leading her first tour in English. It was very interesting. Spent quite a bit of time here.
A few hours later BR went for a walk...returned wet and dirty....got a bit risky at times.
After such a nice rest day we were ready to tackle Prague and the Castle area...and the weather was sunny again. Headed back in and trammed up to Petrin Hill...the crowd horrendous...the wait a few hours so we decided to pass. Caught the tram further along to Charles Bridge...the other side from the other day. Went walking...thousands of people out today...and walked back over the bridge. It is very beautiful. Walked to Lennon Wall...very colourful. A few top model poses later...and I photo bombed a group of people that kept standing in front of me while BaR taking a photo...and we headed to the castle. I was desperate to find St Vitus Cathedral. A walk up about 400 steps we arrived at a lookout and square. Passing through guarded gates we sighted our building. OMG it was magnificent. Bought a ticket...which got us in to 3 other sites and we went in. It was as I hoped...gothic, large, indulgent...though I do think the outside as by far more spectacular. Our ticket also got us in to a basilica and Golden Lane...where goldsmiths had lived in tiny...and I mean tiny houses and the Jewish sector.
We walked many kms and it was getting late, I had spotted another Blue store (3 around Prague). Sometime later BR and I decided on an unusual glass sculpture...very heavy. I'm hoping it will fit in carry on luggage and it doesn't get weighed...Anyway, we are excited by it. We will figure it out.
Got back late. Off to Wroclaw in Poland tomorrow via Kutna Hora and the famous bone church.
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