Prague,Czech Republic
Saturday 13th MAY 2006 - Praha , Česká republika
Thanks again to Angah,i got to spend the night and make use of his pc to connect to my HC friends from Prague and Vienna (Wien).
We got to the airport at about 5.30 am and it was already jampacked with people! There were so many early morning flights departing from Manchester!
Checked in-with no problem this time,and thanks to their very efficient staff,the long queues made short in no time.The only thing is my fork was removed from the handluggage ( yeah didt realize it was there).It rained that morning,and i was just hoping prague will be a bit better.
At about 10.30,arrived in Prague Ruzyne Airport.Weather was a bit cloudy.Upon arriving at the arrival hall,i changed some euros to Czech crowns to get onto the bus to the city (its normal to get not-so-good rate at the airports).So i took the cheapest route to the city,by public bus no 119 and got off at Metro Station Dejvicka and from there to Florenc station.It costs only 20kc (less than a euro) and the ticket lasts for the metro as well for 90 minutes.My initial agreement with an HC member to stay at his place was cancelled last minute,so i have to find myself a decent hostel within the city centre.From the Florenc station,i walked to the Nove Mesto (New town) and after some rest and internet at the so called "Hard Rock cafe",i ended up checking in the AZ- Hostel which is located near the VÁCLAVSKÉ NÁMĚSTÍ (Wanceslas Square)
My cellphone battery was weak when i arrived and it did no good when i found out i havent bring the adaptor for Czech Republic.However i have already got a confirmation by an HC member,to meet up at 2000hrs later in the evening.So i thought i have some time to find the electrical adapter,which i was wrong.After consulting the hostel reception,i decided to take some walk to nearest electrical store,and to Tesco electrical department.Found none,most of the electrical shops were rather closed because its weekend!
(no electrical adapter found here,only pasta party!)
So i have quite a problem then,battery is almost dead,and i only have a spare battery for the camera.Not a really good sign.My initial short walk-turn out to be a long one,because i lost my way back to the hostel.But its all good,i walked all the way to the Vinohrady,to some quiet parks,residential areas and almost got to the tv tower station,which ironically,have "babies" climbing up the towers as work of art.Cool.
(look at those babies)
Ended up back in the hostel with no electrical adapter for both my cellphone and camera charger.
But its time to meet my first HC member,Eliska at her place and i was supposed to meet her at the Kobilisy station.She cooked pasta for me (great!) and then we were off to the Stare Mesto (Old town centre) to see Prague at its best - by night! We alighted from the metro station Museum and visit the VÁCLAVSKÉ NÁMĚSTÍ where many historical events occurred. It’s also a traditional place for demonstrations,
celebrations, and similar public gatherings.
Then we’re off to the STAROMĚSTSKÉ NÁMĚSTÍ where the famous Prazsky Orloj (Astronomical
clock) lies.Such a magnificent work built in the 14th century.The Tynsky chram and Kostel sv.Mikulase were also beautifully lit.It is a very wonderful setting,by night and even at about 10 pm there were countless numbers of tourists around the area.Amazing.
Then we head towards Karlův most (Charles bridge) to reach to the Pražský hrad (Prague Castle)
Wonderful.I must say i didnt do justice,with some not so decent shots,but its really magical during the night,the old town come to live!
(the view from Karlův Most )
The walkway up to the castle was a bit steep,so it caught us our breath,but that didnt stop Eliska telling me important events and stuffs on our way up.The best part is,that the further we went,the quieter it became,and eventually by the time we got to the castle entrance,there were practically no tourists! And the castle was almost like entirely ours! (exaggerating)
There was another very old and beautiful Neo-Gothic cathedral inside the castle area called Katedrala sv.Vita (St Vitus cathedral)
There were also a very famous narrow street inside the castle called Zlata Ulicka (The Golden Lane).It was built in 1597 by order of Emperor Rudolph II, in order to house his top marksmen and
their families, but later it housed alchemists and goldsmiths,hence the name.The famous Franz Kafka used to live in one of these small houses.
We then spent the time from the castle to view the city.Magical.It makes you imagine how it was during those days.And enjoying the view without the present of other tourists makes it more comfortable.We got down through the other end,via the castle stairways at about midnight.
Eliska has to get back,not to miss the bus/tram/metro and i made my way back to the hostel,via the Old town centre again.What a great introduction to Praha!
We agreed to see again the next morning to go to another place where tourists dont usually go.And i like that.
