Prague–18 May

Last day in the Czech Republic, so decided to venture outside the city.  Took a half-day tour to Karlstein Castle.  It is about 30km outside Prague – a nice rural drive as farmland comes right up to the city boundaries.  Was built by Charles IV in the 1300’s for the sole purpose of storing and protecting the crown jewels of Bohemia, and various Sacred Relics and paintings!!  When you look at it, you’d think there would be a cheaper way of doing that!


Had a good tour guide:  she knew how to pace the 2km walk from bus parking lot to the hilltop at a nice stroll everyone could manage.  As usual, no photography allowed indoors.  Lots of postcards and photo books.  Occasionally a DVD.  I asked why they don’t have CDs of photo images, a sort of replacement for the slide sets you used to be able to buy everywhere you went back in the 70s.  Lady told me they are too easy to copy and put on internet etc… and they get no money from that ;  so they just sell one-offs like the postcards.  So digital piracy does make preserving memories difficult.

The castle is well preserved, and the main rooms have been kept furnished in 14th to 17th century styles.  The servants would have had to be fit, carrying loads of wood up to the fireplaces in the royal rooms at top level, and hauling cooked meals up from the kitchens below. 

Back in Prague, I had left my baggage in secure locker at the main railway station.  Very good system and cheap!  From tour bus took subway back, recovered the bags, and lined up for the Airport Express bus.  16 czk as against 80 or so for a taxi.  Lots of roadwork on the way out made the trip slow and I was a bit nervous about how long security, passport etc.  would all take.  As it turned out, a breeze.  Just a quick security check, no passport control whatsoever, and I was the only one at the check-in counter.

Easyjet is budget:  no seat allocation, but I got a window seat towards the back.  No aircon while on the ground, so cabin crew were apologising for the temperature being too warm.  Airbus 320, seats with just enough legroom, and seats don’t recline, so you don’t get knee-capped by someone in front tipping their seat back suddenly .  80 minute flight uneventful.

Staying at ETAP hotel near the airport, right next door to Ibis.  Is Accor’s budget budget chain through Europe.   Only the Japanese could make a bedroom more compact. But clean and comfortable, and all you need for a night’s sleep.  Tomorrow I head for the high seas – not too high, I hope!

Today’s snapshots are here.