Europe 2011 - Day 6 - Prague Day 3

This morning was an early start with a tour included in our Uniworld Cruise Package. We departed at 845 on a bus ride to Pražský Hrad (Prague Castle) to start our walking tour of the castle/city. Prague Castle is a magnificent example of a classic European castle with an interesting history involving royalty, politicians and revolution. We started with the Saint Vitus' Cathedral then worked our way through the outside to the dining hall and then through the small individual rooms.

After that, we climbed down the steps of the south side of the castle, Svatovaclavska Vinice (St. Wenceslas' Vineyard), towards the Vltava river. We proceeded to the Charles Bridge but right before we got there, the rain poured very hard. Our group opted to hide from the rain for a little bit under one of the underpasses of the Charles Bridge. When the heavy rain started to let up, we climbed up the stairs on to the bridge where it then promptly started pouring heavily again. On the way across the bridge about 3/4 the way over, the rain finally let up. (Though we were already drenched). We continued on down to the Old Town Square where we concluded the walking tour.

The Old Town Square was extremely busy as there is a summer program where locals open up small food carts selling local Czech specialties. I got to try some roasted meats, local potato chips, grilled cheese, kebab on a bun, and of course, beer! We were having a friendly conversation with some Germans (who couldn't speak any English of course) and shared some of our food for them to try.

We then met up with our group for an optional excursion at 150pm. We toured around the inside of the Stavovské Divadlo/Národní Divadlo (Estates Theatre/National Theater). We got to take a view from the seats at the lower level of the theater where a tour guide gave us an explanation of the history of the theatre. We proceeded to the Mozart Salon where we got a "mini-concert" (from a quintet of musicians) of songs from Mozart's operas such as Don Giovanni, and the Marriage of Figaro. They then opened up the Imperial Box (where the Emperor had reserved seating, and also the best seat in the house - center of the theatre with a frontal view of the stage) where we could see the best view of the theatre. The theatre had a hidden surprise as we got to travel underneath and see one of the underground passages that crossed over to a building beside it, the Kolowratsky Palac/Divadlo Kolowrat(Kolowrat Theater).

The next part of our optional excursion was a guided tour of the Obecní dům, Municipal House. I didn't get any photos of the interior of the "exclusive" areas of the hall because I was too cheap to buy the 3Euro photo license, that I now regret not getting. The Municipal House is a stunning example of extravagance in the 18th century and stands as an iconic monument to the heroes of Czech history. I highly recommend anyone who's interested in seeing something artistic, architectural, cultural and historical in a few rooms that are not seen by many people.

The rest of the night was pretty laid back as we decided to take it easy. I shopped at Lidl, a local (German discount chain) grocery market a few steps down from our hotel. I had fun buying a few drinks and snacks that seemed pretty weird. (Those who know me, understand that I am an adventurist when it comes to food and that I love trying things especially when I have no idea what it is). One of the most interesting finds is some flavoured drink that I think is Jasmine? or Chrysanthemum flavoured water (Korunni Lipovy Kvet-Jemne Perliva).

For dinner, we decided to stay near home and just eat at the Cafe Imperial restaurant inside our hotel. The highlights: the daily special - Duck Breast with Lentil Ragout and Orange Sauce, and the Veal Schnitzel with the best mashed potato I've ever had.

Europe 2011 - Day 5 - Prague Day 2

Today is a free day so we decided to take it easy and go for a later breakfast and started the day late at 11am. We took the tram at Náměstí Republiky (or Republic Square, yay I'm learning Czech!) and took it all the way to Staroměstská by the Rudolfinum concert hall. We walked along the Vltava River towards the historic Charles Bridge. The bridge is lined with old statues and has a distant view of the city's most famous building, Prague Castle in the Hradčany, Castle District.

Crossing the bridge and the Vltava river, we walked the cobblestone streets (though to be fair, the entire city core is cobblestone), to the Panny Marie Vitezne, a Catholic church. We then walked to St. Nicolas Church, though we didn't go in, we just took a view of the square outside the church. We then proceeded to the Valdštejnská zahrada(Valdstejnska Garden) where we spent probably a good hour just taking photos and taking in the garden's natural beauty. There is a stage where the Senate takes place, as well as a few fountains, garden paths created by hedgerows, a really strange rock wall formation, and peacocks!

We passed by a flag statue, probably a remembrance to World War 2 and then crossed back over the Vltava on a different bridge this time, over the Manesuv Most, back to the Rudolfinum. There were several people trying to promote the concert taking place there. I was actually interested because the programme included Mozart and Vivaldi's Four Seasons, music that I have listened to in a course I took before of Music Appreciation. Having that experience has given me a more in-depth understanding and appreciation (Duh, haha) of classical music.

Getting back on the tram (133) we rode back to Náměstí Republiky. Before returning back to the hotel to take a rest. I stopped by the Palladium mall and tried out some local ice cream. The cherry flavour definitely tastes good and is a signature flavour of the country. I also go to try something called bildberry, which tasted great. A little sour, and reminiscent of another flavour, but I just can't remember what. I also tried out some coffee chain, Costa Coffee, (that I thought was a Czech brand) to try out an iced latte. The coffee was alright. I got it plain, so it wasn't sweet enough, not like the standard Starbucks latte.

Our evening was spent at the Folklore Garden where we experienced what I assume is classic Czech folk dance and folk music. We were greeted with a shot of honey wine at the "folk garden" which seemed too elaborate of being a tourist trap. For the price of 50Euro a person, I think it was a tad bit pricey for what we got. The food was alright: unlimited beer (Staropramen), unlimited red/white wine (both terrible), bread, potato soup, meat platter, coffee + cake. The entertainment of the "band", a trio of violinist, bass, and some kind of stringed percussion instrument, paired alternating with a singer and a pair of dancers.
I guess it wasn't too bad. I had some fun joining in to dance the Mazurka, but I wasn't really blown away with the value of the entertainment and the food; I think I would have been more happy just sitting at a restaurant/cafe in the Old Town.

Europe 2011 - Day 4 - Prague

Airport day! New city day! New country day!

Schiphol Airport is definitely one of my favourite airports I've been in as the feel of the airport has an air of relaxation that embodies the Dutch concept of 'gezellig'. The stores sell interesting products in an atmosphere where time doesn't seem to move with the modern architecture. As a culture steeped in a long history and culture of design, Schiphol's strong use of information design comes out very distinctly. As a student of design, I'm always excited in seeing examples of design that works and Schiphol really has some unique choices of colour, information hierarchy, and symbol design.

Today, we got to Schiphol airport in the morning to take our 1140 flight to Prague on KL1355. The flight wasn't too strenuous as it was only about 1.5 hours. Post-flight after arriving at Praha Airport, problems arose as my sister's luggage didn't arrive. (The good thing is at least it didn't get lost though, and KLM has said that the luggage will arrive tomorrow.)

We took a van taxi to our hotel (Imperial Hotel) in downtown Prague. After a short rest, we went for a lunch nearby at Kolkovna Celnice. All I have to say is that it was delicious. The pork knuckles are wicked. I've been looking for a good pork knuckle for a while now since the only place I have tried them are at German restaurants (not in Germany). The sausages are also delicious! The classic Czech cuisine of different types of porks, sausages, and meats paired with sauerkraut, red sauerkraut, potato dumplings, and breads are a truly distinct flavour of cultural cuisine. (It's a huge contrast with the lack of a truly Dutch cuisine.) Yes. I also have to admit, Czech beer is some of the best in the world. I got to try both of the more popular varieties of Pilsner Urquell, which tastes alright, and the Velkopopovicky Kozel Dark, which is truly awesome and is now my favourite beer.

After lunch, we walked around the old town area of Prague/Prag/Praha (take your pick at how you want to say it). Wow. That's all I have to say. I was taking photographs all afternoon long being truly amazed with the architecture. I'm truly glad that I took IAT 233 Spatial Design with Russell Taylor in the Spring because what I learned about in that course on Jan Gehl's teachings about creating cities for people helped me understand what makes Prague a truly wonderful city. The soft lively edges of the old architecture and unique curio stores, the cobblestone streets, numerous piazzas that are open that create visibility in the space, redirecting traffic so that the people are unimpeded, creating intimate space for people where they can just sit, stand, walk, and relax anywhere they want to.

Prague is a beautiful city with a deep cultural and historical heritage that has created an incredible space that fits into Jan Gehl's definition of a 'city designed for people'. Downtown Prague's Old Town is a perfect example of a pedestrianized city.

We just spent the whole day walking around old town and we didn't even finish seeing it all. For dinner, we decided on opting with classic Czech cuisine again. Pork knuckle, sausage and meat platter, beef goulash, sauerkrauts and of course, beer! Scrumptious! Though if we have it again tomorrow, we might start having problems getting sick of eating meat. =D

I am really understanding a lot about the Czech Republic as I haven't really studied anything about the country or the region before. It's really weird as the Czech has already accepted the Euro but it still continues to use the Czech Koruna as the primary form of currency (although the Euro is accepted in most places). The Czech language is really difficult to understand. I was already started to get a basic understanding of the Dutch language, and trying to decipher Czech has completely baffled me.

The cost of living seems to be a little lower here in Prague compared to the other European cities of London, Paris and Amsterdam. It's good to see lower prices for food. =P But I am also quite impressed at the lack of homeless people and shady individuals on the streets as opposed to Paris. It definitely creates a safer (feeling, at least) environment and that makes a huge impact at the psychological level.