Weather – Page 3 – SteveWhittythoughts1965

October 26, 2012

Prague & Bratislava – Day 10, 19/09/2012

I think I may have booked too many days in Bratislava. I had seen everything that I needed to see so it was a case of finding things to do. This was a chance to do some laundry. This will kill the morning for me. Also the weather had turned cooler and there was a hint of rain.

Once my laundry was finished I ventured out to a couple of places that I had not visited. To be honest I just ended up walking around the streets. It seemed so quiet. I ended up back at Shtoor for another sandwich, coffee plus the delicious cheesecake. It was there when I realised that I had not made my way to the Presidential Palace as shown to me during the walking tour. I made my way to the palace.

The weather not getting better and by this time all I wanted to do was to go back to the hostel.

When I arrived back at the hostel I noticed a lot of activity in the kitchen. When I enquired about what was happened I was told it was the communal cooking night and on the menu was potato cakes. There was about twenty of us getting stuck in preparing and cooking the cakes. What was great to see was the mixture of nationalities getting involved. There were Americans, Australian, Mexicans, New Zealanders and Canadians. I was the only Brit. We all helped also helped with the washing up afterwards.

It was an ideal way to spend the evening. Eating good food, drinking beer and wine and playing silly games which usually ended up with a forfeit of drinking plum brandy. This is was staying in the a hostel is all about and I want to experience more of this.

Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

October 21, 2012

Prague & Bratislava – Day 9, 18/09/2012

The weather today is simply beautiful. What shall I do with myself? I asked the hostel receptionist for suggestions. Without hesitation she suggested Devín Castle. Ever helpful she pointed out which bus I should catch and how much it will cost. Also included in the recommendation was a coffee shop I should check out when I returned to the city centre.

So off I went to the bus stop. The bus journey like most was uneventful but once I arrived I was totally blown away. Devín Castle is a castle ruin, but I feel it is much more than that. It dates back to the 8th century. It was destroyed by Napoleon Bonaparte. There is currently a lot of archeological work that is taking place. The views from the castle ramparts are simply stunning. There were plenty of opportunities to take great photographs, even for me.

As well as the castle there were plenty of paths to walk along. It was a pity that there was nowhere open to hire a bicycle. Today would have been a perfect day for cycling. The nearby village was beautiful and peaceful. To live in a place like this you would have been a winner in life’s lottery. The River Danube looked beautiful and powerful in the countryside.

I made my way back to the city centre feeling hungry. I remembered the recommendation of earlier today, so I made my way to Shtoor coffee shop. As much as I tried to find it I was not getting too much success. Just when I thought about giving up I noticed that I was standing outside the shop. This is what a coffee shop should be about. Good coffee, good food and a good ambiance. My pork and caramelized onion sandwich tasted divine. The berry and chocolate cheesecake went down even better.

When I left Shtoor I found myself caught in a demonstration outside the British Embassy. It was interesting to find yourself caught in something like that. The demonstration was in support of a Slovak woman Ivana Boorova who came to the UK for work. Her two children were taken into care two years ago and nothing appears to have been done about the situation. This seems so unfair. I mentioned that I was British and I would offer my support when I got home. So if you feel that something needs to be done contact the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and let’s see what we can do.

Back at the hostel I was unsure what I was going to do. I did not fancy the pub crawl but wanted to go out for the evening. So I decided to go to the British Rock Pub. It was open mic night. I enjoyed the music even if I did not understand what they were singing about. The pub crawl ended up in here. Somehow, I do not think they expected to be there. A good end to a perfect day.

October 17, 2012

Prague & Bratislava – Day 8, 17/09/2012

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

September 29, 2012September 29, 2012

Prague & Bratislava – Day 3, 12/09/2012

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