Despite of having so many friends doing medicine in Praha (my husband prefer to call it Praha just like how he prefers to call Munich as Munchen. Original, katanya), I chose to go there after 5 years living in Europe. I don't know why. So I told my husband Prague and Switzerland would be the highlight of our trip last summer. We basically went there from Berlin by train. Surprisingly the train ticket was quiet expensive, at least for us. My husband who were in charge of the transportation throughout our trip (by that I mean who was responsible to pay everything, heh) were informed that we can get cheaper tickets if we buy from the counter not online. Anddd it turned out the price was 60 euro each and if we wanted to secure a seat we have to pay another 20 euro per person. We tried to be adventurous that time and 'refused' to pay extra 20 euro. We ended up looking for unreserved seats on the train like refugees seeking for asylum. Not the best feeling, I told you. Insaf. My advice, just pay for the seat don't be cheapskates like us. I check the price online and to my surprise, the price is not that cheap either, I mean it is just cheaper buy 1-2 euro only. So, yeah.
The train journey took for about 4 hours and 15 minutes from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Praha Hlavni Nadrazi. Czech Republic use different currency, so as soon as we arrived at the station, we headed straight to money exchanger. My friend told me not to exchange the currency in Dublin because she said it is cheaper to do that at the train station in Prague. We just followed her advice and she was right.
After that we went straight to our accommodation which we booked through Airbnb. It was quite cheap for its strategic location and facilities. Unfortunately, we forgot to take picture of the place. It is a big apartment with 3 large bedroom. The owner was so friendly and very helpful. I had a long conversation with him upon our arrival. He has been living his life to the fullest I must say. He traveled to so many countries and taught music to children while traveling. Whenever he goes travel, he will make sure to stay in that country for at least a month and really explores the country in and out. One thing I love about sharing accommodation with other travellers, we get to make new friends and listen to their experience.
If you have only 1 and half days like us to spend in Prague, places that you must visits are :
Old Town
In the 12th century, Old Town was a market place for Prague. As you step into Old Town you can see many buildings with Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic style. You also can walk using what they call The Royal Route. It was the path that Bohemian King used during his coronation in 1458 through Old Town to his castle. You can't miss the route as it is marked with silver arrow. I, somehow lost the picture of the marks but if you come here you won't miss it.
We are two morning people. We woke up to early even the shops were not opened yet.
Old town square
This is the 3rd world oldest astronomical clock in the world and I just learned that it is the oldest working astronomical clock now. My husband is a kind of person who can get really obsesses with clock or watches. He spends quite a lot of money on his watch and that really annoys me sometimes. Anyway, this astronomical clock really got him. He stood there and watched the clock like a psycho or what he told me he was mesmerising the technical part of the clock. Whatevah! Some people here believe that something bad will happen to the town if the clock is neglected by the people.
These two nice ladies were making chimney bread or trdelnik. If you know me very well, I love to try local traditional food! Trdelnik is actually a very popular pastry in Prague, Hungary and Austria. You can eat it with nutella or peanut butter but I prefer it plain. It is very yummy to eat while it is still hot. Personally, I think chimney bread on the street in Budapest taste better or maybe it is just my palate. You should put this as food-to-eat if you are going travel in Europe.
Charles Bridge
After walking for about 20 minutes (in our case, we took more than 20 minutes since we stopped at so many shops) from Old Town you will eventually arrive at Charles Bridge. It crosses Vltava river and it used to be the only connection between the Old Town and Prague castle.
We were very luck because the weather was just nice. Not too hot or cold. It was perfect early summer day in Prague. I mean look at the sky, it was so blue!
The view you can see from Charles Bridge and spot the castle!
Along the bridge you can see 30 statues and statuaries which I thought at first all of them have gothic style but there were actually baroque style statues. Interesting.
Mala Strana
After crossing the bridge , we arrived at Mala Strana or in English, Little Quarter or Lesser Town of Prague. People said it is more Bohemian compared to the old town side. We walked up the hill with many beautiful building on our right and left.
I had a romantic walk with my husband while eating ice cream. We talked and laughed so hard until we got a few people stared at us. We looked like we were drunk couple. LOL
We kept doing that anyway until we arrived the Prague Castle. It is considered as one of the most largest castle complex in the world.
Since the castle complex at the top of the hill, as soon as we arrived there, we could see this view.
This was inside the St. Vitus cathedral.
St. Vitus cathedral from the outside.
After that, we walked down to where we came from using different route. After we had lunch at a halal kebab shop we went back to our room to have some rest before going out again the see the modern part of Prague and also to meet my high school friend, Raja who is studying medicine there.
Dancing House.
This building resembles 2 dancers. Get it?
Here, I show you.
The style of this building is called deconstructivist due to its very unique style.
Then, I told Raja to bring us to Louvre Cafe which was often visited by Albert Einstein. This cafe is a 100 year old cafe with elegant Parisian style. The selection of coffee and desserts are quite nice and cheaper compared to what we have in Dublin.
My husband and Prague National Museum.
Then, Raja brought us to another halal restaurant where we tapau lamb briyani for our dinner. We went back to our room and sleep like nobodyfriggingbusiness and checked out the next morning to take train to musical city, Vienna! I would love to go back to Czech Republic to explore their beautiful untouched countryside ! We'll go back there soon and maybe with our little one. heh.
