I woke up at 5am, tried to sleep until 6, then gave it up, and reassembled my bike. Breakfast started at 7, so we were down there, appetites at the ready. As this is the Land of Excellent Bread and Wonderful Breakfasts, I indulged. Fitz went right for the apple strudel and what looked like miniature hallah. It wasn't really, but it looked like it. Seeded rolls, cheese, fruit, eggs, meat, vegetable salads... coffee, juice. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Thus fortified, we went to the lobby to set out to tour. The plan was to take the tram to Prague Castle, and work our way back from there. In the lobby, we ran into the folks from the REI Vienna to Prague bike tour, which had finished the day before. It turned into a nice long visit. They told us all about their ride (all good things) and the tour guides. We then headed out to catch the tram. Figured out we were going the wrong way, so got off to catch the one headed back. Crossed the Vltava River and headed up the hill to the castle. And, surprise, as we got off our tram, who else gets off but the Vienna to Prague group with their tourguide, the delightful and opinionated Tatiana. We were invited to join in, and did.
Off we went, though the castle grounds (it is really a small city; covers a lot of area), past the Riding School and the Royal Gardens, across a bridge with a fabulous view of St Vitus' Cathedral through the trees, past the guards who do not smile, into a courtyard.
The Czech president's offices are there, plus statues, another church... We went out another archway to the front gate, where there were more guards, a large group of Czech Girl Guides, and a huge crowd waiting for the guard to change.
We then walked around through some gardens, with a great view looking out over Prague. My camera battery gave it up here, so I absconded with Fitz's camera for the rest of the day.
Up some stairs, through an archway, and there we were in the courtyard with St Vitus' Cathedral.
Gargoyles, flying buttresses, mosaics over the entry, carvings... It was built in the 1300's, with additions later on. We walked all the way around the building to the entrance, waiting in line with a light drizzle, w/Tatiana pointing out other churches and Empress Maria Theresa's School for Impoverished Noblewomen (sucks to not be the first born), a monument to Jan Hus, a reformer predating Martin Luther.
Finally, it was our turn to go inside. Wow. Stained glass windows, one by Alfons Mucha, side chapels, tombs of kings and queens, amazing ceiling, King Wenceslas' Tomb in another side chapel (yes, there was a real King Wenceslas). Statues, carved doors, a pipe organ.
Then back outside, where it started to rain. Tatiana: "This gentleman is offering umbrellas for 200 crowns". Fitz bought one. I had a rainjacket and hat, so was quite okay without.
Watched the major change of the guards (music, drums, marching, horses), then walked down a set of stairs outside the castle wall into the old town.
Then across the Charles Bridge, with commentary on each and every statue.
A nice wander throug the Mala Strana, to the town square, where we had an extended goodby to everyone.
We had lunch at the open air rooftop restaurant at the Prince Hotel, right on the square.
Where many of our fellow diners were reading the bestseller: "Prague", available in many languages!
After lunch we walked over to the Jewish Quarter, where we saw the Alt-Neu Shul (built in the 1200's oldest extant synagogue in Europe and MUCH smaller than I thought it would be).
We went through other synagogues as well, including one that was empty, but had the names of all the Czech Holocaust victims on the walls, arranged by town. We then walked through the Jewish Cemetery.
Back to the town square with a shopping trip through the Mucha museum store. Walked through a farmers' market on the way back, where we saw lovely vegetables for sale. Probably just for decoration; we weren't served many veggies on this trip.
Then back to the hotel, for dinner. The service took itself a little too seriously. We just had a main dish and dessert, which, I think disappointed them.
Then, as we were getting ready for bed, Fitz's suitcase arrived!
Bike ride starts tomorrow.
All the Prague pictures are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20084214@N00/sets/72157600992333112/
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