Prague

While staying in Szklarska Poręba, we hatched the idea it would have been a shame not no pop in on Prague, which was mere 130 kilometres away. We ventured there on Saturday, 4 March and it was my first foray to the capital of the Czech Republic since 2001.

To the right – after an ascent through Petrinske Sady park we reached the Hrad hill from which one can delight in a remarkable panorama of the old town and districts of the eastern bank of Vltava. The weather was not splendid, overcast skies and +4C.

Having ambled around the Hrad hill we headed towards the Charles Bridge and passed by the John Lennon wall, which oddly enough is listed as one of main landmarks of Prague by Google Maps.

Having shunned crowds and paid entry to the Golden Lane we roamed past the afore- mentioned bridge which turned out to be the most crowded place out of those we visited. Prague’s historical part looks definitely superior to the one of Warsaw, fully destroyed during WW2.

The market square in Prague still suffers from excess concrete (betonoza), insufficient greenery and not prohibited access of motor vehicles. That very venue was actually a letdown.

Incidentally, we ran across the spot I best remember from my school trip to Prague in 2001 – Vaclavske Namesti alley and the Narodni Muzeum in the distance. The place is also (in)famous for picture of soviet bloc intervention in Prague in August 1968. Note Marks & Spencer has not wound down its business in Czechia.

Back close to the Cerni Most P&R close to Prague’s Metro B line terminus, where we left the car for the entire day for the equivalent of PLN 10. For those visiting the capital of the Czech Republic an excellent solution, since the car park is just 2 kilometres away from the motorway. On my way back I was snapped by the speed camera – for driving 59 km/h were the speed limit was 50 km/h I was fined the equivalent of PLN 200, which I duly paid. I must admit our southern neighbours are less tolerant to those speeding and do not take their time in chasing the disobedient motorists. I Poland road authorities and the police turn a blind eye at speeding below 10 km/h and photos from speed cameras arrive months, rather than a week later.