Touring Prague, Czech Republic

Us with a city view of Prague in the distance taken from Castle Grounds

We followed Rick Steve's advice and booked a discount Ryan air flight, just a one-hour hop for only $75 per person.  Ryan certainly knows how to move people quickly since you are booked to board either in the front or back of the plane, and of course, you exit that way too!  We never saw such a quick turn around time!

Czech Republic is known for its beer!  55 gallons of beer
per person a year!  Here Richard enjoys one at the Abbey.

Both Hungary and  the Czech Republic are members of the EU, but strangely, they haven't gone to the Euro currency - so we changed our dollars to korunas, about 22 to a dollar. 

Our hotel in Prague - The Leonardo, very nice!

We booked the Leonardo Hotel on Hotels.com, one of Rick's choices since it is in a central location, the Stare Mesto.  We got in last night about 9 p.m. and after a quick meal (European's don't even start to eat dinner until 8 p.m.), we enjoyed a great night's sleep.  

Colorful stained glass window St Vidas

After a hearty breakfast (the hotels here have free huge breakfast buffets with everything imaginable), we set off by foot to the Old Town Square, famous for their Astronomical Clock and free walking tours.  We found a great guide with Green tours.  He is originally from Santa Barbara, CA, but fell in love with a Czech girl.  Since he couldn't talk her into moving to the US, he immigrated here.  Both of them are licensed professional tour guides and he was great!  He works for tips or whatever you want to pay him.  Of course, when he was done with the tour, we paid him generously since he was excellent. 

Pope at Abbey on tour

Our ultimate destination was the Prague Castle that has been the seat of Czech monarchs and is still the official residence of the president of the country. 

Gargoyle on cathedral

The Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, and its beginnings date to the 9th century.  On the way, we stopped at an abbey for coffee and to hear the bell town chiming.  We visited St Vitas Cathedral,that was built over a time span of almost 600 years.  We admired the gorgeous colorful stain glassed windows.  We toured the Lobkowicz Palace Museum and used an audio guide that brought the displays to life.  This palace was home to an aristocratic family for 400 years.  The Nazis confiscated it in WWII and then the communists one again took it in 1948.  Finally the palace was returned to William Lobkowicz, an American real estate developer in 2002.  He opened it to the public and has fascinating pictures and amazing treasurers (e.g., original Mozart score) to share with us.  One of the best museum tours we've taken!

Look up!  See Freud hanging
from a building!

Tonight we enjoyed a lovely Czech dinner at a jazz venue.  Our first day was great and we are looking forward to a few more days here in this beautiful city by the Vitava River.

Charles River Bridge Tower 

Our hotel is located by the famous Charles River Bridge circa 1357.  Its tower is one of the most impressive Gothic structures in Europe. One got up early to walk it before the tourists make it impassible!

Joanne posing on Charles River Bridge

Later we toured the Jewish Quarter, where by the end of WWII, more than 77,000 Czech Jews were transported to concentration camps and executed.  Today it is a thriving area where the old Synagogues and monuments can be visited.  We checked out Wenceslas Square, the site of the Velvet Revolution where the end of communism was proclaimed.  We looked at the St Wenceslas statue of Christmas-carol fame.  There was much construction here because they are improving the Metro Stop.  We hiked up to metronome, site of a large city park.  There we enjoyed grilled shrimp and salad and talked to some of the locals.  We took in the Black Light Theatre of Prague where we saw a spoof on the "Colorful Dreams of Dr. Frankenstein."  This is a non-verbal performance with fascinating visual effects and creativity.  So, our journey is over for now!  

Some of my favorite memories of this Viking Cruise and "Rick Steves Land Tour" of Budapest and Prague are

• The gorgeous breathtaking lights of Budapest as the Viking ship approached the city at 11 p.m.  
• People we met along the way.  On the ship, we met lovely Canadians who winter in Boca Raton, FL that we hope to see again.  We also met a lovely couple from Houston.  In Prague, we met a Belgian student who wants to come to the U.S.  We hope he'll visit us someday.  On the street, we were approached by Chinese ladies, who asked if they could take a picture with us.  I think they liked our Australian hats!
• I really liked the hot springs baths of Budapest
• The river scenery along the Danube
• The Viking Cruise was first rate - loved the "free excursions" to the monasteries, the cultural programs on the boat, the Vienna concert and the food on the ship - delish!

Viking River Cruise on the Danube

Along the Danube somewhere out there!

Tuesday, September 28, 2018

The big day arrived for our Viking Riverboat Tour that we booked over one year ago! The night before I got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Oops! In my half sleep, I walked into my dresser and ouch, extreme pain in my right pinkie toe.

Near Passau on the Danube

It was splayed out at a right angle and I pushed it hard back in place. I heard a crack and it complied, but wow, did it hurt! I put ice on it and fell asleep. The next thing I knew it was time for the trip to the airport. Most of the side of my right foot was black and blue … and I gingerly put my shoe on. Wow, it was tough to walk. Our Lyft driver delivered us to the Southwest Florida Fort Myers airport. Richard wheeled me to the

One of many locks that our ship transited

gate and I limped onto the plane. It was a Delta flight to Atlanta with a 3 hour layover. Then, onto Munich Germany, a 9-1/2 hour flight crammed into coach. We dined on the rubber chicken dinner and dozed fitfully all night. We arrived in Munich the next morning (German time), 6 hours ahead of Florida. Oh, the air was cool, in the 70's with low humidity. It felt so good.

Joanne enjoys Passau

It was an easy entry into the European Union and the Viking people met us with a wonderful coach bus that took us to Passau, about a 2-hour ride on the amazing Germany autobahn to the cute port side historic city. The Viking Ship is called the Vilhjalm and is equipped to handle 130 passengers. It is a long narrow river boat that is gorgeous inside. Our cabin is #115 and we have a nice window view of the world going by. We had a terrific lunch and then a tour of the city. It is hard to walk on my foot, but the swelling went down so I'm taking it slowly. We tried to stay up so that we are almost adjusted to our new zone. After a wonderful dinner, we feel asleep in our cabin and today, we are doing fine.

St Stephens Cathedral

The fabulous organs

The morning included a tour of Passau and highlighted St. Stephen's, a 17th century baroque cathedral, that houses Europe's largest pipe organ. We attended a noon concert and got to hear the 17,000 pipes, well maybe not all of them! We boarded the boat and went through a river lock entering Austria. So, far, we've met wonderful Canadians from Toronto and Americans from Houston (Tomball area) and Pittsburgh. Everyone is very friendly – so far, a great cruise!

Friday, August 31

Posing with Cesky Kormlov in the distance

Today we visited Linz, Austria home of the famous Linz raspberry filled cookies.  Delish!  We chose to take a free 8-1/2 hour tour to Cesky Krumlov, a world heritage site.  At 9 am we set off in a nice coach bus and drove about 1-1/2 hours to the Czech Republic border.  Cesky Krumlov is a fairy tale village comprising 40 buildings and palaces situated around five courtyards.  It was founded in the 13th century by the Lords of Krumlov, and when they died off, it passed to the Rosenbergs.  The guide took us through the lovely gardens with pink roses blooming and pointed out the castle grounds baroque theater, tower, stables, bear moat etc.  We had quite a bit of free time to enjoy an authentic lunch of dumplings, roast pork & sauerkraut and tried their special dessert - a cinnamon roll "chimney."  We checked out the shops and the St Vitas Cathedral and enjoyed people watching.  Just a lovely day!

Sunday, Sept 2

Note:  We have lots of good pictures, but it has been hard to download them and post here because of slow internet speed on the cruise boat.  We hope to download them later.

Monk Richard

It's been a busy two days!  Yesterday, we toured two Benedictine Abbeys, one in Gottsweig and the other in Melk.  The scenery was awesome along the Danube and views gorgeous.  This section of the Danube is known as "the Wachau" and is dotted with ruined castles,  medieval towns and terraced vineyards.  The first abbey was constructed in the 11th Century and is dubbed a UnESCO Worldl Heritage Site.  About 40 monks live at the abbey and they work serving the local parishes, educating the children and rent out the vineyards to support the maintenance and workings of the abbey.  Both abbeys have breathtaking ceiling frescos by artist Paul Troger and extensive art collections.  

Our Viking Ship -- the captain's wheelhouse can hydraulically lower to get under bridges!

Gottweig Abbey Church Altar

Last night while we were sleeping, the ship docked in Vienna.  This morning we toured the city with a ship-arranged guide.  We both were blown away by the architecture and beauty of the city.  It is one of the world's greatest centers of art, music and architecture.  We visited an orginial Vienese coffeehouse where today, drinking coffee is a popular social pastime in Austria.  We ordererd "melange" coffees, which are a lot like cappuccinos with more steamed milk and homemade apple strudel.  Yum!  Tonight we are going to a Viennese concert and a tour of the city lights.

Wednesday, Sept 5

Richard tours Budapest

The week flew by on our Viking Viljhem ship and today it was time to leave.  Really, I could have stayed another week and we both agreed next time we would book a longer journey.

The Viennese concert turned out to be absolutely great.  It was one of the few "extras" we paid for on the ship.  Viking provides many shore excursions that are free - and that is what we mainly took.  But we wanted to hear a concert in Vienna and we were not disappointed.  It was in an intimate hall with a 10-piece orchestra.  We had 3 singers and 2 dancers.  We could recognize some of the famous songs i.e., The Blue Danube Waltz.  I have not been exposed to much classical music, but in person it was wonderful!  The Strauss waltzes were especially enjoyable.

On board in Slovakia

We had an overview tour of Vienna and were were impressed by the magnificent ring roads encircling the main part of town.  There were tree lined streets that looked like Paris.  We heard about the history from the tour guides and the stories of the famous Queen Maria Therese and Cici, the princess "who did her own thing" in her era (tatoos, moved around without her husband, long hair with diamond flower pins, etc.).

Every night the Viking ship chef would prepare delicious regional dishes.  If you didn't want to try them, there was always salmon or steak or hambergers!  We tried all the special dishes and they were delicious.  There is always cappacino or other specialty teas and coffee with homemade cookies tempting you as you go by them.  There was also cultural entertainment aboard and always a live piano player in the lounge.  We liked that there are no casinos - every thing is the "top of the line" and the food and attention from the staff is 5 star.

The next day we traveled to Bratslavia, Slovakia for a half day tour.  It was a lovely country that split from the Czech Republic and is a member of the EU.  We toured the lovely castle and bought a painted egg decoration for our Christmas tree.

Illuminated Chain Bridge, Budapest

From the ship approaching Budapest

It took most of the day to transit the man-made canal portion of the Danube to Budapest.  At 11 p.m. the ship approached the city.  We have to say that the lights of Budapest will be one of our "all time" memories.  The Castle and Parliament buildings, bridges, homes are completed illuminated.  From the river it appears you are floating into a fairy land of exquisite beauty.  The ship had special drinks for us and homemade goulash soup to celebrate our arrivals.  

King Stephen, one of the first kings of Hungary greeted us

A few sentences about the weather here.  Europe had a drought in the last 6 weeks.  None of the Viking ships could even approach Budapest because of low water levels. So they had to transfer all 180 passengers into buses.  So - on the one hand, we were very lucky - because it rained on and off, the water level rose and we could cruise all the way here without any difficulty.  On the other hand, we could not always sit out on the sun deck because of the rain.  But that was OK because the lounge has large windows so we didn't miss the scenery - except some of it was in the rain.  Temperatures were very mild - in the 70's and pleasant.  The ship always gives you large "Viking umbrellas" every time you go out if it even hints at rain and of course, you have fresh bottled water ready for you!

Hungarian Parliament Building

Yesterday in Budapest, we took a general tour of the city and later went to the famous bathhouse for soaking in the  different temperature thermal pools.  Budapest is on a fault line where fresh hot springs are enjoyed by the people all year round.

Inside Parliament in one of the halls

After another fabulous meal last night, we bid goodbye to our new friends we made on the boat this morning.  We were sad to leave, but now are starting on our own "land tour" courtesy of Rick Steves guidebooks.   We have almost 2 days in Budapest and then 5 nights in Prague.  We are getting to Prague courtesy of "RYAN air", an Irish discount carrier.  Only about $75 a ticket and an hour flight, and we will be there!

Famous St Mathias

Tubing Ichetucknee Springs, Florida

Happy tubers setting up for floating down Ichetucknee

At one of our PGIslander (Boating Club) Dinner for 8 events, Toby & Almut along with Karen & Terry related happy memories about a a bunch of boating friends going tubing.  Before we knew it, Toby organized another trip for 10 of us to north Florida!  

From the website on Ichetucknee State Park:  "Fed by 9 springs, the Ichetucknee River lets you experience the natural beauty of its blue-green waterways...the gentle current of the bright turquoise river guides you on a relaxing retreat through shaded hammocks and forests of cypress, maple, oak and pine...See turtles, otters, deer, birds of prey, wading birds, fish and maybe even manatees and beavers." 

Downtown Micanopy

After a 3-1/2 hour drive up I 75 North, we all made a lunch stop at Micanopy, an historic town that is one of the best preserved examples of Old Florida culture and contains antique shops and cute stores.  From there it was a quick half hour to the Grady House Bed & Breakfast, where we checked into our navy colored room.  We all gathered for Happy Hour and the proprietor treated us to homemade freshly baked warm chocolate chip cookies.  Yum!  We then explored downtown High Springs and had a wonderful dinner that night at the Great Outdoors Restaurant.

Grady House B&B

Next morning after a delicious breakfast of french toast casserole with parfaits, we drove a short distance to the park, rented tubes and jumped into the river.  The current was gentile and we floated together and met groups of teens and summer visitors.  Suddenly, a wall of water, a storm, approached us.  Of course, we were already wet, but some of us got out ponchos and even umbrellas as we watched the world float by and got drenched by warm rain.  We really enjoyed the lily pads, birds and huge cypress trees lining the shores.  After about 4 hours, we reached a pull out area and hiked up to picnic tables.  We had left coolers with sandwich fixings, drinks, chips and cookies.  Boy, that tasted good!  Most the group got back into the water for a few more hours floating to the very end point. Richard and I decided to go back to the B&B, shower and rest up.  

Our happy group gathered again for Happy Hour and then decided on a Chinese restaurant in the area.  We toasted our organizers and agreed this was a great way to cool off in the Florida heat. Check out pictures below!  

Visiting Pleasant Hills, California

A Mother's Day Surprise:  My daughter, Michele, gifted me with a ticket to visit her and my sister, Claire, at their California home.  Wow - "girl time" fun in Pleasant Hills, a town that lives up to its name!  After a nice Southwest Airlines flight to Oakland, I arrived on time to find Claire waiting for me in the terminal baggage area.  We located her car and hopped in for about an hour's drive on busy California highways.  Serena, one of three cats living in her house, greeted me as I entered the door.  I later discovered that Serena's territory was guarding the front of the house.  She does it well.

Front entrance of Claire's Pleasant Hills Home

 Little Pinto

Michele greeted me with a hug as I toured Claire's pretty home.  It's been completely redone with walls knocked down to make it an "open" plan. I loved the fireplace in the main living area and the family room with comfortable furniture.  My bedroom had beach scenes on the wall and I slept great in the comfortable queen-sized bed.

Beautiful backyard

Sultan

I was reacquainted with kitties, Sultan and Pinto, who live in a gorgeous backyard full of flowering plants and a garden with a prolific apricot tree. There's comfortable seating and shade, a lovely table and even a pizza oven.  The view of towering Mount Diablo is spectacular, especially at sunset when it is glowing in a pink color.  I met

Pizza oven of course!

Mount Diablo is view from backyard - just gorgeous!

Claire's homemade pizza - yum!

Michele, Joanne, Addie, Claire and Ben - our California family

roommate, Linda, who has a warm upbeat personality.  Everyone has their roles in this happy household.  Claire is the master cook, Michele does dishes and puts them away and Linda keeps everything neat and tidy.  A great trio of gals who enjoy and share their lives with each other!  

Michele and me

Later that day Michele drove me to pick up nephew, Ben, in a neighboring town about 4 miles away.  Ben & his wife Addie bought their first starter home recently.  It is so cute and charming - a one-story 1940's vintage with refinished hardwood floors and it is updated and tastefully decorated.  I meet Mooshie, their Siamese cat, who was enjoying himself in their pretty backyard.  Ben updated us on his career - he is junior faculty at Berkeley and enjoys teaching his students.  Addie is a librarian and she was to join us when she got off from work.  When we arrived back at Claire's, she was making homemade pizza dough with Italian flour that she bought on the internet.  We had a great time preparing all the ingredients and when Addie and another friend arrived, we discussed the intricacies of cooking in a wood flame pizza oven.  The oven was lit, the temperature checked with a special infra-red tool and the baking began.  Wow!  First in was Claire's special sour dough bread and then the awesome pizzas.  Claire even made homemade apricot upside down cake, the apricots were just picked from her backyard tree!  Yum!

Linda and Claire

The next day we all dressed up for dinner at a special French restaurant, Chez Panisse near the Berkeley campus followed by a folk concert at Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse where we enjoyed performer, Shawn Colvin.  She is best known for her 1997 Grammy-winning song, "Sunny Came Home" and not only sings well, but plays wonderful guitar.  It was a night to remember!

Claire and me

Michele and me at winery

Tasting sparkling Schramsberg wines

Claire & Michele booked a B&B, Inn at Sonoma, near the charming town in the wine country.  It was less than a one hour drive.  We checked into our spacious room and checked out the shops.  Michele found a beautiful pink dress to take with her on her next trip.  I bought both of them some cashmere wraps for cold times on planes and air conditioned rooms.  The weather was awesome - in the low 80's with no humidity!  We enjoyed a drive through the countryside, the destination was Schramsberg Vineyards.  Early in her marriage, Claire's husband, Howard, told her about the excellent sparkling wines they produce.  Now was the time to visit.  The winery was founded in 1862 by German immigrants.  Every part of the wine making process is carried out by hand since the wine is aged in its own bottle.  The caves were lovely and we enjoyed tastings.  Michele bought me a bottle to take home.  I think I'll save it for my next birthday.  It deserves a special occasion.

It was time to go, and I was sad to leave as I hopped on my Lyft ride at the crack of dawn to make my flight home to the east coast.  What a fabulous time I had!  I'm so grateful.