Czech Republic

After a 25 hour transit from Japan to Prague (via Vienna) I had a happy hello at Prague airport with Sarah and Vita it soon became clear that I was indeed in the Czech Republic. Things such as driving on the wrong side of the road, cobblestone streets and the Pivo (beer)! Houses snuggling the roadside with big walls, small windows and orange tiled roofs- images that I had imagined and seen in art were now in front of my eyes. I was in Europe!

After exploring Sarah's home town of Litomerice, we took a road trip to Cesky Krumlov, it lies about 270kms from home, and was a place out of a fairytale. I really couldn't believe that such places existed, away from a Hollywood set that is.

Nestled in the loop bend of a river there were rows of orange roofed buildings. Overlooking the town was the castle which sat on the hillside, from which you can see towers on buildings, spires and chimneys.

View from the castle

We walked from the town square, which had a fountain decorated with saints to warn off the plague, to the church where we heard the organ at full throttle. Along the narrow cobblestone streets there we saw no advertising or commercialism, that can often happen in places like these, cars shocked you and felt greatly out of place, where as a horse and a knight- I felt like I could have seen that!

Favourite raft of the day!

The river was a hive of activity with canoeists entertaining the crowds, being on the river and celebrating the summer with a beer and a paddle is a Czech legacy. People eating and drinking in restaurants along the way called out 'Ahoy' to the paddlers which responded with a cheerful 'Ahoy', and sometimes a group song or two- which received great cheers from the crowd. At the overflow a rapid had been built and the crowds gathered to watch the rafters and canoeists attempt to navigate the rapids. Many perished and sunk into the knee deep depths, those who kept paddling as they sunk received the greatest of cheers!It was quite addictive to watch, like a Japanese game show, and I had to remind myself that I was there to see the historical sights, like the castle.

Buildings throughout Cesky Krumlov were a real highlight, in particular the castle. I had my first tour and was glad to sneak a peek into the worlds of times gone by. Buildings surrounding the castle were also highly decorated in a variety of period architecture (protected under the World Heritage Act), and were truly spectacular.

This place felt so old, a feeling that I just hadn't felt in Australia- feeling old..... this was taking it to a whole new level.

written by

aweasel on August 11, 2009 from Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

from the travel blog: Czech Republic

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a travel blog by aweasel

Farilytales.... they so do exist!

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

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