The musings of a man who is coming up to the next stage in life.
This week’s photo is of a street entertainer in Covent Garden.
A popular tourist area in London you would always see somebody trying to entertain you for tips. It is worth spending an hour or two watching and enjoying the free entertainment.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
Golden Lane can be found in Prague Castle. It consists of small houses that have been compared to doll’s houses. Franz Kafka lived here with his sister between 1916-17. When the communists took over Czechoslovakia they nationalised the Golden Lane. They restored the buildings. Today the Golden Lane forms part of the Prague Castle complex. Which ever visit option you chose will get to visit the Golden Lane. However, you cannot visit the Lane on its own. It is a welcome change to all the castles and churches though it does get packed during peak times.
There is many sites to see on the Golden Lane. Just take your time and enjoy.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
One of the most surprising delights of Paris is the Musée Rodin. Set in the outskirts of Paris the museum is based at the Villa des Brilliants which was Rodin’s old home.
When you enter the grounds you are confronted by Rodin’s sculpture of the ‘Gates of Hell’ based on Dante’s inferno. What struck me was the magnificence of the piece. There is so much detail going on and sitting at the top is a figure who I will come back to later.
Inside the museum you are given the life story of Rodin. More importantly there are on display some of Rodin’s sculptures. The most popular would be ‘The Kiss’. However, every time I view it I cannot stop thinking of Monty Python and Terry Gilliam’s animation.
An added bonus to the museum is a walk around the gardens. It was place that allowed me to contemplate about my visit to Paris. To be in the heart of the city yet find a spot that was so tranquil was something to enjoy.
Finally the highlight of the visit is the giant statue of ‘The Thinker’. This is probably Rodin’s most famous work. It is the perfect photo opportunity.
I believe that any visit to Paris should include a visit to the Musée Rodin. If only to escape the bustle of the main sights of Paris.
Musée Rodin, 79, rue de Varenne – 75007 Paris
Nearest Metro Stops : Varenne (Line 13) or Invalides (Line 13 or Line 8)
Admission €9, 18-25 years (Non EU) €5, 18-25 years (EU Citizens) Free
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
This week’s photo is of the Gas Street Basin in Birmingham.
The area is located in the centre of the city. It is a hub where the canal boats dock. The basin is also home some of the most popular bars and restaurants in Birmingham.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
After Prague I thought that things would not get any better. Therefore I was totally and pleasantly surprised what I found in Bratislava. The city itself displays plenty of history yet it is small enough to be able to be explored by foot.
Initially when I arrived into Bratislava I was left feeling disappointed. It was Sunday afternoon and when I stepped out of the bus station it was though I was transported back to the 1970s and communism. The trolley bus looked rickety and dated. Having said that it did take me to the stop nearest the hostel.
After being advised by the hostel to take the free walking tour it was then I discovered the delights of Bratislava. There is a lot of history in Bratislava but there is also a lot to see that made me smile. The city does not take itself too seriously. Bratislava was a major city of the Austro-Hungarian empire. At one point the Emperors were crowned in St. Martin’s Cathedral. A lot of the old city was demolished during the 1970’s to allow for a flyover. One could only think how much more beautiful the city would look.
There are a lot of colours with Bratislava whether it is the bright blue of the St. Elisabeth’s Church or the greens and yellows. This is something that town planners in the UK should consider. A splash of colour is a great way of brightening a place. I suspect that it would not cost too much either.
It is also a city that does not take itself too seriously. There are indicators of this with some of the statues you find dotted around the city centre.
Being so compact Bratislava offers the cafe culture that I loved. Plenty of bars, cafe’s and coffee shops to enjoy. It allows you to watch the world pass by. It has that kind of vibe.
This is an ideal city for a long weekend. Spend the first day exploring the city centre. The next day I would go and see the spectacular ruins of Devin Castle. Spend the afternoon cycling in the surrounding countryside that hugs the Danube river. It is only a thirty minute bus ride from Bratislava.
My five must see attractions in Bratislava are:-
I would also include a trip to Shtoor Home Made Cafe. A perfect place for good coffee, sandwiches and excellent cake. What more can a man want from life.
To sum up Bratislava I would say that it is one of Europe’s secrets. How long it will stay like this I would not like to say. Whatever happens it will always have a small city feel that I love. I cannot wait to go back.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
While I was checking in yesterday I noticed a leaflet for a free walking tour. The couple behind the counter also recommended that I should try it. Walking tours are a great way of familiarizing yourself to a new city. The tour was due to start at 11am. The weather was excellent. It was time to get the shorts on and expose the pearly white legs to the world. However, in my excitement I forgot to apply the sunscreen. My arms would know about this at the end of the day.
The tour itself was excellent and the guide Romana made it interesting with all her knowledge on the history of Bratislava. What was sad to see was how little of the historical centre remained. The Communists in their better judgement decided that a flyover would be of more use. Oh well hindsite.
After the tour was complete I took a walk alongside the Danube in order to make my way to Bratislava Castle. I passed a statue of Stalin. Apparently it was on display for an exhibition.
Like all castles the one in Bratislava is perched on top of a steep hill. In its present state the castle was built only recently. You cannot go inside but there is enough to walk around the grounds. It also offers good views of the city below.
I spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the rest of the old town. I could not fail to notice on how beautiful the women in Bratislava looked. Not that the women in Prague were not bad looking but Bratislava took it to another level.
Tonight was the first night that I cooked for myself in a hostel, tuna and rice. I survived that. I got the chance to talk to a couple of German girls. They seemed pleasant enough. We exchanged travel tales and they mentioned that they were going to Budapest. I should have included it in my trip. We all live and learn.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
Recently I have been doing a spot of tidying up around the flat. Among the items I came across was ‘City Walks: London – 50 Adventures on Foot’ by Craig Taylor.
It comprises of 50 walks in London. Instead of being a book, the walks are on individual cards which can be slipped into the pocket. Each walk starts from a tube or mainline railway station and usually last for a couple of hours. The cards point out places of interest to see as well as recommending places to eat.
The new challenge that I have set for myself is to complete the walks and write posts on each one. I will be starting tomorrow and hope to post my findings during the coming week. I am looking forward to this as I travel to London frequently and I want to share the not so obvious areas that you may miss out on.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
I should have not got out of bed so early this morning to make breakfast. Should have stayed in bed instead. I would have recovered from the previous evening’s excesses. Instead, I attempted to go for a walk Had to turn back as I was not in a fit state. After a further couple of hours sleep I was ready to take on the world again.
I thought that I would make my way to Charles Bridge. It was early afternoon and it was packed. Too packed with tourists. I was told that September would be a quiet month. Glad I was not there in the height of summer. I crossed the bridge and then decided to turn straight back and return to the hostel through Prague city centre. I ended up taking the route of yesterday’s walking tour though I was not aware of this at the time. The brain was not functioning properly at the time.
Back at the hostel for a quiet night, except it would not turn out this way. Met up with the gang from the pub crawl. There was a Man vs Food type challenge. Who could eat the hottest chicken wings and spare ribs. I could feel the heat from here. It was a good job that I did not join in.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
One of the most popular attractions in Prague is the Astronomical Clock or Prague Orioj. Located in the Old Town Square the crowds flock to see the clock chime at the top of the hour.
Dating back to 1410 the clock consists of three parts: the astronomical dial that represents the positions of the sun and the moon, a calendar dial that shows the months and “The Walk of the Apostles” that moves every hour of moving sculptures showing the Apostles and Death who is represented as a skeleton. It is the oldest working astronomical clock in the world,
There are various legends linked to the clock. The most famous concerning the clockmaster Jan Růže. The councillors of Prague were so impressed by the clock that they were worried that Růže would repeat his work elsewhere. So they ordered that Růže should be blinded. As an act of revenge Růže broke the clock and as a result it was left because nobody knew how to repair it.
As I said the clock is very popular with visitors especially at the top of the hour when the animated figures on the clock start moving. Also a trumpeter will play a quick tune to each side of the clock tower.
Is the clock is worth seeing? I believe it is worth viewing the movement once to say that you have witnessed it.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
After a good breakfast I ready to undertake the free walking tour the hostel offers. The weather did not look too good and I had not brought a waterproof coat with me. Another item for the Christmas wish list. Still rain is only water. So we set out on the tour. The guide Javier was really knowledgeable. He had come over from Spain because there were no jobs for him back home.
The tour took in the historical centre of Prague including the Jewish Quarter but did not cross over to the castle.
As the tour carried on it was clear that the rain was not going to stop. Only one thing to and that was to purchase an umbrella from the nearest store. For 500kr it will have to do though I suspect that I would be lucky if it lasts until the end of the day. During the tour I got talking to a few people and seemed to be getting on well with them. We saw the Astronomical Clock strike midday. Javier said it was considered to be overrated. Like all great sites there were a lot of people waiting to witness the spectacle.
Rain I can handle but it was the cold wind that I was struggling with. I just wanted to go somewhere that was warm. Javier recommended a traditional restaurant to go and eat. My pork in fruit sauce and dumplings certainly hit the spot and went down very well along with the glass of beer too. I noticed that beer is cheaper than soft drinks. Oh my liver.
Some of the group decided that they were going on the pub crawl in the evening. My initial reaction was not was not to go saying that I would do it tomorrow instead. I made my way back to the hostel with an American lady from the tour. The problem was that neither of us were sure where we were going. I think it was more by luck than judgment that we found our way back to the hostel.
I spent the rest of the afternoon mulling over the question of attending the pub crawl. In the end I thought why not, I might as well enjoy myself while in Prague. Did I enjoy myself? Well I ended up in the tallest nightclub in Europe and did not arrive back to the hostel until 3:30 am. Trying to be clever I thought that I would not wake the dorm only to walk into the bunk bed. Happy days.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
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