Prague
Mark Barlow's stag don't, 17-22 May 2012
Page 2
So this is our hotel. An Ibis hotel, looking as you'd expect really. Annoyed Matt or bewildered receptionist, not pictured.
Friday had been a partly sunny, partly cloudy and pleasantly warm, until the evening anyway, when it got a little bit chilly in just a T-shirt. On the Saturday, however, it was glorious and the heat was cranking up (early to mid-20s). So it was time for a stroll. We liked to take in the local graffiti, of which there was a lot.
Another bar and Matt had to make his excuses. At this point, it was only 10am so we didn't actually go in, we just thought we would take advantage of the wondrous photo opportunity.
Concerns over racism did not materialise.
Obligatory European mention of pension. This time one made of purest alabaster.
This seemed like a good place to go - therapy as provided by Pilsner Urquell, rapidly becoming our new favourite drink.
We went a more direct way to our favourite bar this time, but did not actually go in this time. Looks pokey, huh?
We eventually made our way over to Charles Bridge, the most popular (and therefore irritatingly busy) but also impressive-looking bridge in the city. It's probably significant for some reason or other, but we didn't get a guidebook, and I'm not going to patronise you by Googling it on your behalf now. I'm thoughtful like that.
Obviously when crossing a bridge on a day like this you have to do river profile shots. This one is taken facing southwards.
Obviously this guy thought that here was the best place to fish - maybe people drop food off and it tempts the fish, I dunno.
And looking up the River Vltava.
And, of course, where there are tourists, there will be people trying to make a quick (or perhaps slow) buck.
At some point, there was someone hanging on at the end of this. Some people will do anything for a good view.
Some more musicians.
On the other side of the bridge, we nearly got mown down by some crazy segues. Don't they look cool?
Of course, all this walking in the sunshine was thirsty... well, not work, but certainly exertion. So it was time for a pit stop. A pint of Staropramen for a pound or so if you please. Ok then yes, we'll have another one.
Just the two, though (and no food - this seems to be an unusual theme) - we have some exploring to do. First, David Hasselhoff's famous Prague-based hotel.
We were looking to see what the Prague castle was all about, but the main pathway up the stairs was thronging with tourists, and you know how Matt can't stand the general public, so we went along a what-turned-out-to-be-more-adventurous way. We felt like ruddy Indiana Jones as we navigated this wooden pathway.
Then we found this courtyard with some weird spiky things...
...which Matt hurdled over (head and torso not featured).
This is a shot of the castle, slightly ruined aesthetically by the scaffolding. It will look great in a few months or years time, I presume, but we won't be here. (Well, I would like to revisit Prague at some point, but I generally choose somewhere different each year.)
There was a big cathedral that very much reminded me of Notre Dame.
Or at least my photo of Notre Dame. Ok, they are a bit different, but that's the human memory for you. (Incidentally, you can see some more Paris photos here.)
That will do for now; it's getting late.
Matt grabbed hold of the big knob and threatened to give it a rap.
As we wandered back through the milling crowds, there were some striking looking buildings.
My camera battery ran out and, carelessly, I had forgotten to bring along a spare, so the next few photos were taken on my phone. This was a crazy looking building, reminiscent of the cathedral in Barcelona.
Going for the weird mirrored shot - that's the two of us just to the right. I'm happy with the way it turned out since I could barely see what I was taking due to the bright sunlight on the phone screen.
This was the busy pathway that we eschewed (ooh, think that's the first time I've used that word on my whole website - I should use it more). Quite right too - it's very busy. And not nearly so much fun as the other route.
Looking over the wall on the right on the way down offered some good views. This is probably quite an important building.
We came back over the river along the bridge to the north of Charles Bridge (did we say that we liked to avoid the tourist-heavy routes where possible?) and caught a glimpse of the large balloon again.
We wandered back a merry path to our hotel (we were tired and wanted some down time before the 'stag party actual' arrived). But this is the way to travel really; horse at the front and pint in hand.
Our route took in some busy squares that we had not previously encountered, including bars like this which we were tempted by but it was too busy and probably far more expensive than it had to be. (I think we stopped briefly at our favourite small bar on the way back, but stayed inside to avoid constant exposure to the hot sun.)
A very light snooze and a shower later, and we were heading back out to the meet up with Barlow and co. This time, I navigated us along the shortest path to Wenceslas Square, inadvertently taking us along a street that was a bit of a red light district, which included this place (which I understand is a bit famous or should I say infamous), as well as sex shops and the odd pimp.
Mr B met us a little way up Wenceslas Square and took us back to where the group of ten had a large table and were just about to order food, so it was good timing. We had our first evening meal of the holiday (actually, I did - Matt declined ordering anything I think). Nick next to me ordered the pork shin or something, which looked pretty impressive.
A fair while, and lots of hacking, later and this was what was left. There's still some meat on there - keep going!
There were some casualties. Some pork ended up on his pint glass. Talking of casualties, at one point Mr Fletcher knocked his pint glass over, onto the lap of the guy opposite (can't remember who right now). Much comedy ensued.
Need another page now.