Prague Day 2

I have been told Prague is a beautiful city, well who-ever told me, was right! Today the weather is around 18c and slightly cloudy, ideal for walking around some of the sights of Prague. Our bus picked us up at the hotel to take us to the Prague Castle area. Then for those who wish to be transported back to the hotel, a bus was available. We had been given excellent advice from friends back home, that the walk downhill was over fairly uneven cobblestones, and maybe best if DH returned on the bus. He considered this advice and the lovely weather and the fact that there were a lot of stragglers in the group any way (those taking photos and slow walkers), he chose to leg-it back with the rest of us. And he was not sorry, though this afternoon's rest time helped his recovery.

We arrived early to this atraction, mainly to walk reasonably unhindered by other tour groups. Firstly we passed through the three castle courtyards to see St Vitus Cathedral, a few palace buildings now used for various government departments, a couple of statues, an obelisk before passing through the castle gates to witness the changing of the guards. Outside the main gates are variuos other style palaces and churches all built there for the hill-top advantage. It is pretty mind numbing when our guide rattles off nobility and events for various times, it just gets mixed-up like a bowl of spaghetti.  Anyway we were treated to  yummy strudel and coffee at Salm Palace, just outside the Prague Castle gates. The view over the city from there was spectacular.

Refreshed, we continued on down the steep, cobbled pathways or roads, which ever we happened to walk on at the time. I must admit, it was easier going to walk on the paths as the cobblestones were a lot smaller and easier for balance. On the way down the hill we were taken to various points of interest, a couple being the John Lennon graffitti wall and a small water wheel.  Then it was onto the Charles Bridge via walking up a two flight staircase. You know DH did well. The crowds, or should I say hordes of people, swarmed the famous medieval roadway, just managing not to knock over the artists stalls placed every so often along the sides of the bridge. There was just civil politeness, the masses competing for their turn to touch the so-called lucky five stars of St John of Bohemia, at the point where he was thrown from the bridge! The statues along this beautiful bridge were very black and it was hard to see what they were representing, unfortunately age and pollution had caused this sad effect and being made of sandstone has made any chance of restoration impossible.

We walked through the winding cobblestoned alleyways of the Old Town of Prague to finish our sightseeing tour in front of the Astronomical Clock at the Old Town Square. When we ariived our guide positioned us in front of the clock at good 15 minutes to twelve, by the time twelve o'clock arrived, we couldn't move for other tourists vying for a view. Before we knew it, the show was over. 35 seconds to be exact! But cute and worth the wait.