Czech Republic

Up early and out on the dock we watched the unbelievable task of bringing large tour buses down the narrow walkway and loading the luggage and then turning the bus around (!!) to head to the Autobahn. This is truly astounding since we could really only board one way as there was not enough room between the bus and the grassy hill on the far side to walk to the door – and these folks calmly turn these buses around here!

Avalon provides a guide as well as a driver to bring us to Praha (Prague), and ours was knowledgeable and entertaining. The bus was very comfortable and we rolled along through the Bavarian Forest to cross the border into the Czech Republic. Although much of the four hour drive reminded us of the new TCH through New Brunswick there were a few sights that reminded you that you weren’t in Kansas anymore! Through Germany on the Autobahn highway billboards do not exist. Apparently the absence of a highway speed limit makes reading inadvisable! Here in the Czech Republic that isn’t the case and ads are presented for everything from local bottled water to strip clubs. We also saw fields upon fields of solar collectors! According to our guide about 7% of the energy used through this region is renewable. He says that although both Germany and the Czech Republic have wind turbines (it took me a bit to realize that’s what “vinterbeans” were) that Germany does not collect much solar energy as they use the locks as hydro-electric sources.

We are now working in our fourth currency since leaving home. The Czech krown is the local currency and approximately 20 Kč is a Canadian dollar. Of course the multiplier hasn’t been even close to the same in any of our changes, and as eventually they will convert to the Euro you sometimes see prices listed that way. Most of the day was spent converting from CAD to Kč, or from Euro to CAD then to Kč! By the end of the day we weren’t sure what we were doing but the extreme heat wasn’t helping. Truth was though because of the heat I really didn’t care how many €, Kč, or anything else they were charging, a cold beer was mine at any price!

The InterContinental is again ideally situated and although the interior appears more ornate, the hotel seems a little worn. We can view the river from our room and when we managed to brave the extreme heat for short bursts today we discovered we were a short walk to the Charles Bridge, steps from the Jewish Quarter and a 5 minute stroll through the exclusive shopping district to the old town square with the world famous Astronomical Clock and about 1000 other things to see!

Unfortunately we have been caught in a heat wave that has been plaguing this part of Europe. Temperatures today have exceeded 40°C and I do not do well in that kind of heat! I have figured that I can stay out for about two hours if we can find shade, beer and ice cream (not necessarily in that order) before I must head back into AC! Apparently we are due a rain storm tomorrow. It will be the first rain we have seen on this holiday and if it breaks this humidity it will be welcome.

Tomorrow is a very busy day with three major excursions planned. I’m looking forward to learning about the amazing sights we’ve seen today and being to understand and appreciate Praha.

The only encouragement needed!

Once again, mostly gone before I can take a picture.

View from our window of the world's largest metronome! They had to do something with the base of the Stalin (yet another one!) that stood from 1955-1962 before it was toppled. There was much discussion about the design of the replacement. As they could not agree they settled on the temporary metronome to represent the city of music and it's times of change. Very fitting!

So hot that the local shop owners are standing outside with a garden hose spraying passersby!

River flows through many of the buildings.

Another fairytale building, Our Lady of Tyne.

There is a different local brew represented on every corner - thank goodness! If I stay here much longer I will be like the monks, the original brewers and be drinking 18 litres a day...except during Lent when they drank 24 litres a day!!!

World famous Astronomical Clock.

The gold on Our Lady of Tyne glistens in the late day sun.

A WC at intersections. Put money in the slot and you get 15 minutes to do your business on the street corner!

Sculptures guarding the bridge - here three-headed serpents!