Visiting Prague - capital city of Czech Republic is must if you are visiting Europe. This (little) big city is truly a charming beauty! We truly were thinking of visiting Prague and fortunately it did get materialized.
"Do you want to go the city center?"
A kind old man asked us...
On the way from Prague airport to hotel, we were discussing the alighting stop of the bus. And the old man somehow managed to understand Marathi ;-)
We said 'Yes!' at once and he started giving the information about the bus stop and further journey. He also helped us to punch the travel ticket in proper way. Well, we already knew our way to the hotel (Thanks to Google Maps!). But, we acknowledged his help and headed towards the city. It is true that,
A kind gesture from anyone brings us an unexpected joy! And it is also true that joy comes when we expect it very little.
This was a start of wonderful two days journey at Prague. My uncle had suggested me visiting Prague must see places twice (At day time and night time). He is true!
The city view is stunning, both in day light and in artificial light...
We dropped our luggage at the hotel reception and wandered throughout day only to return at night. We didn't get tired because receptionist told us the trick to take a tram on top of Prague castle and
walk downwards.
This was another immense help we received from total stranger!
If we had climbed the steps, we could have got tired quite early. Prague castle is built on top of the hill. It is the residence of Czech President now. We really didn't bother to get inside and wandered most of the time in Park outside.
It boosted my Botany knowledge a little as it is small botanical garden with information on various trees. Thanks to this little park I can now identify Oak, Pine, Maple and Tulip trees (on broader level)! Visiting Prague added trees knowledge in our lives.
This is just like identifying the trees in the neighborhood as we can easily do in India like knowing Banyan (Vad), Peepal, Neem trees etc.
In the park, statue of two kids I admired most. The bond between them was so visible that I wish everyone of us could cherish the little kid inside us!
Our next destination was the St Vitus Cathedral. We didn't get inside ..but admired the little statues outside.
Most of them depicted age old traditional occupations/ work that Man used to do. Most of them meant physical work!
I also found our Murali Manohar in that.
In the premises of the cathedral we also saw one water well..It was our pleasure to show the well to daughter as she saw the well first time in her life. I wonder how simple things like water well can just go out of sight where instant water tap is the answer to our thirst. Instant gratification is what we go after while using all the amenities.
Pardon me if I may sound too much philosophical ;-) Anyway,
Philosophy is at once the most sublime and the most trivial of human pursuits :-)
After going through Prague Castle premises, we headed towards Petrin park. If you are visiting Prague, Petrin tower visit is a must. The receptionist at the hotel had remarked that it is good to get lost once in a while.Truly so, on the way from Castle to Petrin park, we were searching for the road ahead and we entered history gallery. Stories from the survivors of freedom struggle of Czech Republic were flexed. We immersed ourselves into the stories. Those stories are worth pondering upon and most of the messages to younger generation from old people are true from the heart. They seem very preachy; yet are very logical and true.
We took old structured funicular to go up on top of the hill of the Petrin Park. They haven't replaced the old technology. Instead they preserved it as a gentle ride up the hill. Europe seem appealing to the entire world because Europeans value old things and take tremendous efforts to preserve their heritage. Most of the countries also have a good modern infrastructure to travel easily. No wonder European places are on the bucket list of so many people.
Anyway, I felt like I am climbing the hills of Parvati, Pune (by funicular instead of walk ;-). The lovely fall colors of the trees were very much fascinating. Petrin tower in the premises of park is a small tower quite identical to Eiffel tower. Only thing is that its height is quite less than Eiffel. We took aerial view of beautiful Prague city from top of petrin tower. With aerial view, everything below looks dolls or toy size including our own problems.
For entertainment of our daughter, we entered mirror maze in the Petrin Park. But we also got very much entertained with her. Watching twisted images of our own self was fun!
As we climbed down from the hill it was getting dark. We filled the stomachs at Kathmandu Indian Restaurant. First time tasted tomato soup with cheese, cream and elayachi. Quite a delicacy to try!
On the way to hotel, in the chilling night, the lights of Charles bridge , Prague castle, Petrin Tower looked amazing! I experienced the feeling that
Amazing sights vanishes physical tiredness!
On the second day, there was not much sight seeing left. Old town square was just at 5 minutes walk from the hotel. It was very vibrant place. Daughter had all the fun as she saw dressed up Panda, Silver Man, Gold Man etc.
Near the square, there is big astronomical clock.I must say it is very unusual one. As there are 25 divisions on the clock. It is also divided into various zones. We couldn't predict how it actually works. If somebody could figure it out for us, we will be very happy.
Next, we headed towards Jewish Synagogues. There are 3-4 synagogues (Jewish temples) in the old town. We saw various synagogues from outside as entering it could have been testing our daughter's patience level.
Next destination was powder tower.Powder tower was kind of old opening gate for the town. (गाव वेश) . On the way, we tasted Trdelník which is kind of cream roll (less crispier than cream roll) . While visiting Prague, you can find it in every corner. Watching it being prepared was also great experience.
Nearby powder tower, there was bubble man (mostly seen everywhere in Europe). Daughter had all the fun with bubbles. Bubble man makes a living out of blowing bubbles with the help of row. People voluntarily pay him as he entertains children (as well as adults).
Taking short rest at the hotel, we headed towards Charles bridge and have a look at it at day time. Evening sky, calm Vltava river were adding charm to this very old bridge. There were many statues on the bridge from one end to the other. When we reached to the bridge, fortunately it was less crowded.
I guess entire economy of Czech Republic is driven by Prague tourism. City looks crowded with tourists. Each and every corner we visited, does have souvenir shops. Restaurants and Cafes look full of people. So many people make a living out of tourism here!
Any way, we also bought colored pencils for daughter and two Bohemian crystals which are as good as diamonds for her.(Bohemia is a region in Czech Republic).
Few striking features of Prague Trip which makes visiting Prague worthwhile.
-It is the city of Trams. Hop on and hop off from tram and roam around!
-Very few traffic signals and cars. Pedestrians have all the privilege to walk on the streets.
-Marijuana - Cannabis ( kind of addictive drug) easily available in the market in the form of biscuits, tea, etc. :-(
-Open Cement dust bins are peculiar ;-)
If you have extra money in your pocket, you can take city tour in vintage cars
We enjoyed visiting Prague. The charming city, full of nice people, mixed with Natural and Man-Made beauty!
To end this little (?) travelogue of Prague Trip, here is a quote by an anonymous on Prague.
"If European cities were a necklace, Prague would be a diamond among the pearls!"
Sightseeing Barcelona:
"Do you want to go the city center?"
A kind old man asked us...
On the way from Prague airport to hotel, we were discussing the alighting stop of the bus. And the old man somehow managed to understand Marathi ;-)
We said 'Yes!' at once and he started giving the information about the bus stop and further journey. He also helped us to punch the travel ticket in proper way. Well, we already knew our way to the hotel (Thanks to Google Maps!). But, we acknowledged his help and headed towards the city. It is true that,
A kind gesture from anyone brings us an unexpected joy! And it is also true that joy comes when we expect it very little.
This was a start of wonderful two days journey at Prague. My uncle had suggested me visiting Prague must see places twice (At day time and night time). He is true!
The city view is stunning, both in day light and in artificial light...
We dropped our luggage at the hotel reception and wandered throughout day only to return at night. We didn't get tired because receptionist told us the trick to take a tram on top of Prague castle and
walk downwards.
This was another immense help we received from total stranger!
If we had climbed the steps, we could have got tired quite early. Prague castle is built on top of the hill. It is the residence of Czech President now. We really didn't bother to get inside and wandered most of the time in Park outside.
It boosted my Botany knowledge a little as it is small botanical garden with information on various trees. Thanks to this little park I can now identify Oak, Pine, Maple and Tulip trees (on broader level)! Visiting Prague added trees knowledge in our lives.
This is just like identifying the trees in the neighborhood as we can easily do in India like knowing Banyan (Vad), Peepal, Neem trees etc.
In the park, statue of two kids I admired most. The bond between them was so visible that I wish everyone of us could cherish the little kid inside us!
Our next destination was the St Vitus Cathedral. We didn't get inside ..but admired the little statues outside.
Most of them depicted age old traditional occupations/ work that Man used to do. Most of them meant physical work!
I also found our Murali Manohar in that.
In the premises of the cathedral we also saw one water well..It was our pleasure to show the well to daughter as she saw the well first time in her life. I wonder how simple things like water well can just go out of sight where instant water tap is the answer to our thirst. Instant gratification is what we go after while using all the amenities.
Pardon me if I may sound too much philosophical ;-) Anyway,
Philosophy is at once the most sublime and the most trivial of human pursuits :-)
After going through Prague Castle premises, we headed towards Petrin park. If you are visiting Prague, Petrin tower visit is a must. The receptionist at the hotel had remarked that it is good to get lost once in a while.Truly so, on the way from Castle to Petrin park, we were searching for the road ahead and we entered history gallery. Stories from the survivors of freedom struggle of Czech Republic were flexed. We immersed ourselves into the stories. Those stories are worth pondering upon and most of the messages to younger generation from old people are true from the heart. They seem very preachy; yet are very logical and true.
We took old structured funicular to go up on top of the hill of the Petrin Park. They haven't replaced the old technology. Instead they preserved it as a gentle ride up the hill. Europe seem appealing to the entire world because Europeans value old things and take tremendous efforts to preserve their heritage. Most of the countries also have a good modern infrastructure to travel easily. No wonder European places are on the bucket list of so many people.
Anyway, I felt like I am climbing the hills of Parvati, Pune (by funicular instead of walk ;-). The lovely fall colors of the trees were very much fascinating. Petrin tower in the premises of park is a small tower quite identical to Eiffel tower. Only thing is that its height is quite less than Eiffel. We took aerial view of beautiful Prague city from top of petrin tower. With aerial view, everything below looks dolls or toy size including our own problems.
For entertainment of our daughter, we entered mirror maze in the Petrin Park. But we also got very much entertained with her. Watching twisted images of our own self was fun!
As we climbed down from the hill it was getting dark. We filled the stomachs at Kathmandu Indian Restaurant. First time tasted tomato soup with cheese, cream and elayachi. Quite a delicacy to try!
On the way to hotel, in the chilling night, the lights of Charles bridge , Prague castle, Petrin Tower looked amazing! I experienced the feeling that
Amazing sights vanishes physical tiredness!
On the second day, there was not much sight seeing left. Old town square was just at 5 minutes walk from the hotel. It was very vibrant place. Daughter had all the fun as she saw dressed up Panda, Silver Man, Gold Man etc.
Near the square, there is big astronomical clock.I must say it is very unusual one. As there are 25 divisions on the clock. It is also divided into various zones. We couldn't predict how it actually works. If somebody could figure it out for us, we will be very happy.
Next, we headed towards Jewish Synagogues. There are 3-4 synagogues (Jewish temples) in the old town. We saw various synagogues from outside as entering it could have been testing our daughter's patience level.
Next destination was powder tower.Powder tower was kind of old opening gate for the town. (गाव वेश) . On the way, we tasted Trdelník which is kind of cream roll (less crispier than cream roll) . While visiting Prague, you can find it in every corner. Watching it being prepared was also great experience.
Nearby powder tower, there was bubble man (mostly seen everywhere in Europe). Daughter had all the fun with bubbles. Bubble man makes a living out of blowing bubbles with the help of row. People voluntarily pay him as he entertains children (as well as adults).
Taking short rest at the hotel, we headed towards Charles bridge and have a look at it at day time. Evening sky, calm Vltava river were adding charm to this very old bridge. There were many statues on the bridge from one end to the other. When we reached to the bridge, fortunately it was less crowded.
I guess entire economy of Czech Republic is driven by Prague tourism. City looks crowded with tourists. Each and every corner we visited, does have souvenir shops. Restaurants and Cafes look full of people. So many people make a living out of tourism here!
Any way, we also bought colored pencils for daughter and two Bohemian crystals which are as good as diamonds for her.(Bohemia is a region in Czech Republic).
Few striking features of Prague Trip which makes visiting Prague worthwhile.
-It is the city of Trams. Hop on and hop off from tram and roam around!
-Very few traffic signals and cars. Pedestrians have all the privilege to walk on the streets.
-Marijuana - Cannabis ( kind of addictive drug) easily available in the market in the form of biscuits, tea, etc. :-(
-Open Cement dust bins are peculiar ;-)
If you have extra money in your pocket, you can take city tour in vintage cars
We enjoyed visiting Prague. The charming city, full of nice people, mixed with Natural and Man-Made beauty!
To end this little (?) travelogue of Prague Trip, here is a quote by an anonymous on Prague.
"If European cities were a necklace, Prague would be a diamond among the pearls!"
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Oostende - Disney Sand Art
Venice and Florence - The Serene beauty!
