• Janette and John
maj – jun. 2017

Paris to Prague

Et 28-dags eventyr af Janette and John Læs mere
  • What a finale!

    9. juni 2017, Ungarn ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Last day of the cruise and there's been a lot of farewells - to crew and to friends we've met.
    During dinner we set sail back up river so that we could approach Budapest again but this time at night.
    There were boats everywhere - it was as busy as Hong Kong. The photos don't do the evening justice. It was a balmy night making this the ideal finale.
    Tomorrow - travel to Prague
    J&J
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  • Transfer day

    10. juni 2017, Tjekkiet ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Nothing much to report today. We boarded the coach at 8am and arrived at our hotel in Prague about 4 pm.
    The point of interest was really driving past the old checkpoint at the Czech Republic border. Actually, I tell a lie, there is an Irish pub a few doors up from the hotel - will check that out for sure!
    Most of the journey was on a freeway, but we turned off it to go to lunch. We went to a little village and had lunch at its winery. Once through the door we went downstairs into a wine cellar for the lunch.
    We had to meet our new tour director, Mate, at 5 for a 45 minute orientation walk. The hotel is on Stepanska Street and that goes into Wenceslas Square. By walking through the square he showed us the direction of several points of interest. As we had to feed ourselves tonight, he made a few suggestions re eating.
    We walked down to the river and on the way back saw a nice little restaurant. The guide had talked about the traditional dishes and that they are always served with dumplings. I had Czech goulash and Janette had duck - sure enough - both served with dumplings. They were delicious but it was too much for us to eat. Two lemonades each and the meals - €23 - about $32 - great value.
    Tomorrow - bus and walking tour of Prague.
    J&J
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  • Prague

    11. juni 2017, Tjekkiet ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    8am coach departure for Prague Castle. Already lots of people there and heavy security. Toured the castle then had tea and honey cake (my new favourite cake).
    Being a 4km walk back to Wenceslas Square, people were given the option of returning by coach. Prague is so busy - there are people everywhere - mostly tour groups following someone with a flag or umbrella etc. we walked back with our guide seeing many points of interest. Prague is choc full of old buildings and history - it's really too hard to describe.
    One of the things we saw was the Prague Astronomical Clock which dates from 1410. One dial shows the hour, the one below shows minutes. The main function of the clock was to depict the movement of celestial bodies (including the Sun and the Moon) - showing the time was secondary.
    Bit more shopping this afternoon. Janette can't get over the cheap prices and high quality.
    We had a farewell dinner tonight with all 36 of us that travelled on to Prague being treated to a lovely dinner in the hotel restaurant.
    Tomorrow a falconry display
    J&J
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  • Jemniste Chateau

    12. juni 2017, Tjekkiet ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Arrived at Jemniste Chateau about 10am. Our programme included, a falconry display, a tour of the chateau, lunch and time to explore the 13ha grounds with zoo (wallabies and cockatoos included). We were welcomed with a drink by the owner.
    Between the communists and the Russian 'liberators' most of these places were usurped. It's only fairly recently that many have gone back to their rightful owners. The present owner lives in one wing and we toured the rest. The gardens are spectacular. The main course at lunch was wild boar. We were assured that the owner or his son would have hunted and shot it.
    The highlight for me was the falconry display. The first birds were falcons. They soared and dived after lures - they are so fast!
    Next a Golden Eagle. The falconer rode his horse away from us, pulled on the rein and the horse lay down with the falconer getting clear at the last minute. Some meat was placed on the horse's flank and the eagle sent off. It landed on the horse which didn't budge. In fact, it seems the horse was quite comfortable and refused the falconer's urging to get up. It was suggested that our applause might get it up - it did.
    Next, an Eagle Owl but it didn't fly. The real bonus was that we were encouraged to go up and 'meet' the birds.

    J&J
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  • Dinner at Como

    12. juni 2017, Tjekkiet ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Tonight we dined with 4 of our new friends. We walked to Wenceslas Square and went to a restaurant called Como in the Jalta Hotel. We just wanted to have our own 'last meal'. Four had duck, I had cod, but Janette went traditional having goulash. If the mains were good, the desserts were great.
    We still have tomorrow (Tuesday) morning to wander around and the check out of our room by midday. In the afternoon we fly to Frankfurt and from there to Singapore - this is where we lose the time we gained on the way over.
    Ah well - it had to end sometime.
    J&J
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  • Last lovely day in Prague

    13. juni 2017, Tjekkiet ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Much cooler this morning and fewer people - much more conducive to walking around. Went to the Museum of Communism. They were tough times and the people were very brave to rebel.
    Checked out a lot more shops and, surprise surprise, Janette found more to buy. I have photographic proof.
    We bought a trdelnik - it seems to be a doughnut mix, rolled out and wound around a core about the size of a rolling pin. They are cooked rotisserie style over coals. You can have plain, nutella, nutella with coconut and probably lots more. Some stalls make them in a cone shape and sell them with ice cream.
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  • The day we lost

    14. juni 2017, Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We knew we had this day coming, but you put it out of your mind till it arrives. So 3 hours at Prague Airport, then a Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt taking about an hour. A mad dash to the correct terminal and another couple of hours wait before a twelve hour flight to Singapore.
    So, about 18 hours travelling and then putting our watches forward seven hours. We've got a couple of days to adjust to the time zone.
    We got to our hotel about 6pm, very tired and a tad hungry. We walked out of the hotel saying that we would go into the first place that looked OK. It turned out to be a Vietnamese Restaurant and it was more than up to par. The owner suggested we share a prawn noodle dish then share a dish featuring larger prawns (all in tanks in the restaurant). We were shown how to eat the main wearing plastic gloves. Just when I should have taken the camera...
    Anyhow the hotel is very nice. Janette had requested an upgrade to a high floor to get a view - she got it. - we're on 34 with only a couple more above us. Unfortunately for her, the lifts are on the outside of the building. She'll get used to it (?). Photos give an idea of the height.
    Tomorrow - a full day in Singapore. We'll be going out early so we can have breakfast outside somewhere.

    J&J
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  • One day left

    15. juni 2017, Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    One day remaining so more sightseeing. We went to Gardens by the Bay (worth googling). 101ha of gardens with two massive bio domes, one of which has a waterfall cascading down a 42 metre mountain. It's very hard for me to do it justice - suffice to say, next time you're in Singapore, do yourself a favour.
    Having failed to buy the book on 'Singlish' on the way over, we went back to Bugis St this afternoon and bought it.
    Getting ready to go out for dinner and then check out the lights. We leave for the airport at 8am tomorrow so I guess this is about it.
    Cheers Janette and John
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  • All good things must come to an end.

    16. juni 2017, Australien ⋅ 🌫 6 °C

    It must be over - it's 11.30 Friday night and we're sitting in front of the fire at home with a cuppa. Very straightforward today - out to Changi Airport for the 10.45 to Melbourne. I've decided it's sensible to fly in the day as neither of us sleep well on planes. In the Tulla terminal before 8pm and straight through without any big queues or holdups.
    It's lovely to travel, but it's lovelier(?) to come home.
    Just got to pick up Molly tomorrow. - hope she forgives us.
    When I started this blog, I did a test run showing a picture of our suitcases on the spare bed with lots of clothes over and around them. I posed the question, "do we really need all this?" I now have the answer. -OF COURSE NOT! I bet we didn't use half of what we took, and we then bought more whilst away.
    Time to start planning the next one ??? ............
    Over and out
    J&J
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    Slut på rejsen
    16. juni 2017