Day 96 - Arrival in Prague

Overall I did get a really good night sleep so feel great and ready to explore Prague.  A friend highly recommended Cesky Krumlov and Kutna Hora as well in the Czech Republic so going to try and fit it all in whilst ensuring I have time to sit and enjoy Czech beer.

Arrived in Prague train station around 10.30am then went straight to withdraw Czech koruna (money), and tourist information to work out transport from Prague to Budapest (next destination), where to get another Euro electricity adaptor, and transport options to get to Cesky Krumlov.  It took awhile to achieve all this but done and checked into my hotel by 2pm - bus to Budapest booked for Tuesday, going to Cesky on Sunday and bought a new adaptor (cheap!)  Also found a supermarket...everything is so much cheaper than in Zurich.

I then hit the streets and just wandered towards Charles Bridge, and found all these amazing sites on the way.  Prague is just gorgeous!  It is relaxed, unpretentious, and with amazing architecture.  I am blown away!  It is so easy to wander around - I know I was told this but you never fully realise until you do it yourself.  The weather is divine - mid 20s I think. 

I wound my way through the streets to the Old Town Square where they had a food and beer market on.  Wasn't hungry yet so continued down to the river then crossed over Manes Bridge (runs parallel with Charles Bridge), then went in search of the 'Pissing Fountain' by David Cerny - found it!

Before exploring the Charles Bridge, I found a couple of marionette shops - I am seriously thinking of getting one for myself, the only dilemma is how extravagent to be!  I will sleep on it.

Charles Bridge really is incredible, and I was lucky that it was not as crowded as I thought it would be.  I was aware however of pick pockets - lots of signs out suggesting people be aware.  I'm intending on going back to the bridge early one morning so that I can get more photos - just realised I took photos of the statues, and people on it, but not the bridge itself!

Back at the Old Square (after stopping in at Hard Rock Cafe to get Davo another fridge magnet), I checked out the Astronomical Clock - built in 1490 and below it the calendar wheel built in the 1800s.

I sat down to people watch whilst eating a potato and ham dish - definitely traditional as the ham was cooked on the bbq and was served with potato dumplings (like gnocchi) and cabbage.  Very good!  Washed down with Ferdinand beer - this is what I call a perfect afternoon.

I walked back to the vacinity of the hotel and found a local bar called Roubar - one more beer, don't know the brand, don't care, going down really well (served in half litre glasses!)

Confession - have not yet uses a word of Czech or even tried.  My brain is fried from using English, Turkish, German and the smallest amount of French.  Does this make me a bad person??