Imperial Capitals 2

 Day 3 - Prague Centre

The day begins with a walking tour with Valentina. She is highly knowledgeable and carries an umbrella. The umbrella has two uses, one to keep the group together and the other to keep the rain off. It seems to work. There is a hushed gasp as she announces we will be walking for 4 hours. I am not fazed by the walking, but I know I will not be able to listen to someone talk about history for this long. After about 10 minutes a couple decide that's all they can manage and they escape to a cafe, but I'm pleased to say I managed the whole tour, using the tactic of not listening and taking lots of photographs. Any questions regarding the historical aspect of the tour can be referred to TC who has a peculiar gift for remembering dates, facts and figures. So, in that light here are a few snaps. 

Valentina

Prague is amazing. Other cities have one old beautiful square with cafes etc whereas Prague seems to have one round every corner. The architecture is beautifully colourful and majestic. Spires, turrets and castles take you into a fairytale land. 

A rather striking fountain sculpture symbolises the split of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The two countries peeing on a map. Says something about Czech humour perhaps. 

A highlight is crossing the Charles Bridge (holy Roman emperor), with ornately beautiful statues and stunning views of both sides of the river. At noon, we are also taken to the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square to hear the chimes. Quite a crowd has gathered to witness it. Unfortunately there is an air raid siren. This is slightly concerning, considering all the recent conversations about invasions. However, nobody seems to pay any attention. TC is mostly concerned it has spoiled his video capture of the clock. Apparently, they routinely run test sirens. Understandable. 

Charles Bridge 

Astronomical Clock

We are then taken on a cruise of the Vltava River which includes a welcome buffet lunch. We are entertained by an accordion player with Czech favourites such as, Oh Danny Boy, O Sole Mio and Roll out the barrel. Once we have eaten, Valentina is off again. Now, she passes round more printed information, in Russian or Czech, not sure which as it whizzed passed me. I manage to escape, this time to the upper deck where I can do more clicking. The Vltava is calm and broad, busy with cruise boats like ours. 

Wenceslas Square

The centre of Prague is of course full of tourists, and gift shops just like all the gift shops I've seen around everywhere, just with different names on the t-shirts and mugs. However, I confess I did purchase one of the latter. You can't have too many mugs. 

Having left the group and Valentine's umbrella, it starts to rain, so we head to a cafe for tea and cake with a most friendly young waitress. She comments that she was expecting TC to pay with money hidden under his cap. She must have met some very peculiar British tourists.