Tuesday 7 June 2005 - Prague
It was up very early this morning to catch a flight from Heathrow to Prague.
The minicab collected us at 6am and Chaucey chatted to the driver while I paid the hotel bill. It turns out the hotel charged the taxi driver 19 Pounds to collect us, so he would add that onto our charge. There was no way that the hotel provided that much value from ringing the minicab company, I'd have rather have taken my luck finding my own.
The flight was uneventful until after we arrived. I got a few glimpses of the city on final approach and we touched down on time. We spent almost 45 mins sitting on the apron waiting to get to a gate as the aircraft that was supposed to be gone had missed it's takeoff so the airline just left it sitting at the gate. Hmmmm.
It wasn't long to get through customs and out into the Czech Republic. We taxied to the guesthouse, where we registered for the apartment we have. It is very close to the Prague Castle, which is now the offices of the President. It has a lovely view of Petrin Hill from the private balcony and the girl from the guesthouse has pointed out a good restaurant only a few steps away.
We spent the afternoon at the Castle and in the surrounding gardens. After the costs of visiting castles in Britain it was a nice change to be able to get into most of the castle complex for free. St Vitus' Cathedral has wonderful, modern stained glass windows - the communists removed all the originals. It also has great views over the city.
We had a snack at the cafe and prices are much more comparable to New Zealand pricing. The only product that seems expensive is Coca Cola at 120Kc for a half litre (about NZ$8.50) but who needs Coke when a half litre of beer is 90Kc. And that's at the cafe in the castle.
After this we attended a chamber music concert with pieces from Bach, Handel, Mozart and Dvorak in St George's Basilica. It is no larger than an ordinary chapel so the acoustics were fantastic.
We're now off to the restaurant the guesthouse recommended for dinner as the Internet Cafe is closing and the clerk is wanting us to leave.
The minicab collected us at 6am and Chaucey chatted to the driver while I paid the hotel bill. It turns out the hotel charged the taxi driver 19 Pounds to collect us, so he would add that onto our charge. There was no way that the hotel provided that much value from ringing the minicab company, I'd have rather have taken my luck finding my own.
The flight was uneventful until after we arrived. I got a few glimpses of the city on final approach and we touched down on time. We spent almost 45 mins sitting on the apron waiting to get to a gate as the aircraft that was supposed to be gone had missed it's takeoff so the airline just left it sitting at the gate. Hmmmm.
It wasn't long to get through customs and out into the Czech Republic. We taxied to the guesthouse, where we registered for the apartment we have. It is very close to the Prague Castle, which is now the offices of the President. It has a lovely view of Petrin Hill from the private balcony and the girl from the guesthouse has pointed out a good restaurant only a few steps away.
We spent the afternoon at the Castle and in the surrounding gardens. After the costs of visiting castles in Britain it was a nice change to be able to get into most of the castle complex for free. St Vitus' Cathedral has wonderful, modern stained glass windows - the communists removed all the originals. It also has great views over the city.
We had a snack at the cafe and prices are much more comparable to New Zealand pricing. The only product that seems expensive is Coca Cola at 120Kc for a half litre (about NZ$8.50) but who needs Coke when a half litre of beer is 90Kc. And that's at the cafe in the castle.
After this we attended a chamber music concert with pieces from Bach, Handel, Mozart and Dvorak in St George's Basilica. It is no larger than an ordinary chapel so the acoustics were fantastic.
We're now off to the restaurant the guesthouse recommended for dinner as the Internet Cafe is closing and the clerk is wanting us to leave.
posted by Michael at
7:46 PM
1 Comments:
And other cafe's only charge 35 crowns, about NZD 2.00, for half a litre - Yay!
By
Chaucey, at 4:04 AM
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