A few weeks ago my brother went to Prague for holiday and bought me this beautiful magnet. It's actually a matchbox, made of wood and carved with Prague's famous astronomy clock. Another great addition to my fridge magnet collection. Then I remembered I've also been to Prague, many years ago.
In my quest to pin as many places to my Worldmappin map as possible, I'm rummaging through my files for the old photos of my trip. You'll be seeing a lot of me in this post. Those were still the days when I thought photos were about people and not views. Like this one, the younger me trying to look cool 🫣😂.
I have vague memories of my trip as it was a long time ago. I had to rely on Google to confirm I went to Prague Castle. The castle is located up on a hill and offers a fantastic view of Prague city at the foot of the hill.
I remember going to the town hall to see the famous astronomical clock. The clock dates back to 1410 and is a must-go for all visitors. We were standing outside for quite a long time watching the clock movements, waiting for the 12 apostles to make their hourly appearance. Snowpea would have loved it. They were added 300 years after the original clock, so are pretty new by comparison. I can't remember if I saw them or not, probably not otherwise I'm sure I would have taken a photo of them
On the penultimate day I went to Karlovy Vary and I remember this day trip very well. Karlovy Vary is a famous spa town about 120km away from Prague. I went by coach and made sure I remember where I got off so I know where to catch the return ride back to Prague. Those were the days before I had a smartphone, information wasn't as easily available on the tip of my finger like nowadays. Had to be well prepared.
Karlovy Vary is a lovely city and it was definitely worth the long coach ride. One of the unique features of the city are the colannades. These are buildings or structures that has outlets for one or more of the fifteen springs in the city. There are five colannades, the biggest and most famous one is Mill Colonnade, a beautiful building that dates back to the late 19th century.
There are five springs at Mill Colonnade, the temperature of this one is 65 degrees celsius. All the others in the city range from 30 to 75 degrees and have different healing properties. Of course you can't have a spa treatment in public here, but there is a valid reason why these colonnades were built.
When I arrived in the city, I noticed a lot of people tourists walking around with a very unusual looking ceramic mug. It looked like a normal decorative mug with a handle, except there was a spout at the top of the handle. These mugs are for people to sample the spring water. I think that is such a great idea, tourists get to see all these amazing colonnades and drink free healthy spring water at the same time. Not to mention it keeps you nice and warm in winter!
The other reason why Karlovy Vary is quite memorable for me is because I nearly got stranded there! When it was time to catch my coach back to Prague I turned up at the coach stop where I got off in the morning. I waited for a long time and the coach still hadn't appeared even after my scheduled departure time. Something wasn't right and I was starting to get very worried as I was due to fly out the next morning. I had to get back to Prague that night. It turns out the coach drop off and pick up points were different. The pickup point was further along the road. By the time I realised it and ran to the pickup point, the last coach was due to leave soon. Then I had another problem. I didn't have the funds to buy another ticket 😖 I can't remember which it was, either I didn't have enough cash and the bus driver didn't take credit card, or they didn't take cash and I didn't have a credit card. I explained my situation and showed the driver my ticket for the missed bus. Somehow that seemed to work, and he let me get on the bus. Phew!!! What a scare.
I hope you enjoyed my throwback post to the Czech Republic. And look!! See what I found!! A photo without me in it 😅
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I never been to Chezh Republik, although I visited all neighboring countries. I always wanted to dedicate a whole vacation to this wonderful country.
But we have a few spa towns in Ukraine, and you can buy a mug for a spring water very similar, with more rounded shapes. 😀
I love the photo of you at the Mill Colonnade 😍
That's another reason for me to go Ukraine!!! Whereabouts are the spa towns, are they far from Kyiv? Must fit them in my itinerary for my future visit!
They on the west of Ukraine. Lviv region have lots of them - Truskavets, Morshyn are most famous.
Like it or not, Google Photos and Maps are starting to save us more and more. Google Photos has become like a personal assistant who knows where I was 10 years ago at what hour. :))
I have a very similar magnet from Prague! And oh dear what a crazy adventure! To be fair, it would've been absurd of them not to let you on (though i know they can totally be absurd for no seeming reason). Glad you got out of that town in time so that it could remain charming in your memory and not "that place I got stranded in for forever" :D
I wouldn't be too worried nowadays if I was stranded some place as long as I have internet so I can get information and access to funds, and perhaps find a local Hiver to help me out, but back in those days it can be quite terrifying. Luckily all ended well.
Google is great to help me write travel posts, even when I write a trip from a few months ago, I tend to forget things so easily. It must be a sign of getting old 😆
Hahahaah... I have never seen so many selfies of you! 😃 Oh, pardon me, those were not selfies, but portrait photos...
Just kidding... Nice photos and nice memories... At least the anecdote about the bus is something that you will remember forever! 😃
I cringe when I look back at my very old travel photos, I can't even see where I've been as my face is splashed all over them, very annoying!!
I'll have to revisit some of the countries that I haven't been for a long time and get some proper photos
Thats a cool mug. I will like to have one of those.
You really enjoyed your time there, in Prague. Thankfully, the driver was kind enough to understand your situation, and let you in.
From the background of the third image, all the building tend to have a red roof. Is there any mystery behind this? Or is it a coincidence or something?
That mug is pretty neat, I can't remember where it's gone, I wonder if I took it home with me as I have no recollection of seeing it again
As to the red roof... I have no idea. Maybe it's made locally...
thats nice.
by the way, you have some nice shots.
As if you followed my footsteps... Or I followed yours 😀
We visited the same places in the Czech Republic.
In Prague, the center where there is an astronomical clock, the Palace on the hill above Prague, Hradščani and even Karlovy Vary.
Like you, I have a box of matches and this jug for medicinal water.
The only thing is that I don't have so many pictures of myself 🙂
Beautiful Czechia ❤️
Plus I guess you didn't nearly get stranded in Karlovy Vary 😉
Maybe those are the typical tourist locations for first time visitors
My second tour of Prague, when we went to Karlovy Vary, we went by car, so I had no fear of getting stuck.
But even if I got stuck there, it's such a beautiful city that I wouldn't be sorry. Did you walk then in the part where their villas are, on the hill? I put all that in one of my posts that has a pin on the old Pinmapple, now Worldmappin...
To leave the city (as an alternative, it could only be used in a fairy tale), I saw carriages with horses at the entrance to the city...
Imagine the scene.
Arriving by coach at the airport terminal a few minutes before the gate closes 😀
I don't think I went up any hill in Karlovy Vary, if I did I certainly have no memory of it 😅
Nor did I see any horse drawn carriages. I know many cities have them as tourists attractions nowadays but I always think they're a bit cheesy 😂
Bast from the past! Nice one.
That would be so frustrating and such a stressful experience. It's giving me anxiety just thinking about missing the bus. Lucky it worked out for you.
The spouted mug is a clever idea. Very cool!
It's amazing how much we rely on technology nowadays when we travel, and being able to sort out last minute mishaps by pressing a few buttons. I remember that time in Karlovy Vary was very panicky 😬
Very true. Having a phone with data is a really good tool nowadays when you travel. Pretty much a necessity for me at this point lol
That sounds like a very intersting trip, but looks like it was a cold one too. I think those springs would have felt good from the cold if they would have allowed you to get in. Thanks for sharing your trip.
I think that might have been the first time I went to a spa city and it was certainly very nice especially walking around drinking the spring water in the cold
At some point along the way we all realize that the photos are not about the people, the important thing is the places. Nevertheless they are pleasant memories. Very nice trip and somewhat desperate the bus anecdote 😬 Regards.
That was something the younger me didn't understand. Back on those days I had to be in every photo, now looking back it's pretty lame. Now I don't even like to take photos much.
Having been to Prague with work, I’m eager to go back, this time with my wife Tina as she will love it. I’ve never even heard of the town you’ve visited but wow it looks lovely!
I can't remember how I found out about it especially since it was a long time ago. Karlovy Vary is the biggest spa city in the Czech Republic so it was a nice day trip outside of Prague. I hope Tina will enjoy it if you guys get to go sometime
Nice (and very exact) memories, you remember this trip very well :) I have only been to Karlovy Vary once, just like you, on a day trip from Prague where I lived back then. It´s a nice town (with a very famous film festival that even some Hollywood stars attend every year) but honestly, I like Luhačovice more :) Also many colonnades and various spring waters to sample for free but the town is smaller, feels cozier and is decorated with spectacular wooden architecture. I wrote a post about Luhačovice here on Hive too but I cannot find it now :/
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Hello stranger! Hope you're doing well.
I'm so glad I can finally pin a post on Czech. It's long overdue as I haven't been back since.
Searching for content has never been easy on Hive, I found the posts from liltammy but not yours, not sure why.
But of course here's the best way to find travel posts on Hive 😉
There we go, thank you! :)
What a nice trip but it looks very cold there. It's good you have photos to look when you missed it. ah when can I travel into another country😔
It would have been winter if I had my wolly hat and scarf on, but probably not that due to drinking the warm spring water.
I hope you get to travel soon, never give up hope!
That was indeed a terrifying story, glad that the driver let you ride and gave you a way home.
Yeah, thank goodness for that, being a tourist has its benefits sometimes, you can get away with things easier 🙃
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Thats the clock that looks like 'its a small world' every hour right?
Yeah prague is super nice, also worth visiting in warmer weather as well!
Yeah, maybe I should go again sometime in summer, I haven't been for a long time
Hehe, it's quite sad how poor connection the Czech Republic has. Karlovy Vary is a regional capital some 100 kilometers from Prague, and yet there's not direct train connection and the bus ride takes over two hours :) Putting aside that pickup point mishap and the fact you couldn't pay by card.
Besides, Karlovy Vary hosts a renowned film festival every year - if you ever happen to be around in July, do stop by!
Maybe due another visit to Czech, this one was a long time ago. That's unfortunate about the public transport, I guess nothing has changed over the years, it's not like they will build a new train system 😕
Haha, I read about the very first segment of modern high speed railway to be build somewhere near Brno like two weeks ago :) it’s gonna be rather astonishing 20 kilometres within next like five years or so :))
Guess I'd better rent a bike instead of I visit 😄
Well, for short distances, the train and bus network is rather good - it's made to get you from your village to the nearest town, not for travelling. Our regional network works great; until you try to cross the regional border :) And the public transport is very affordable compared to other European countries.
Well, the fluff looked very cool on you. The fridge magnet is great and you have a nice souvenir next to that awesome
watch(ayyyy... astronomy clock). 🙄🤣Do you really think that wearing that fluff they wouldn't let you on the bus? 🤣
Fluff!!! That's my hairstyle back in those days 😂😂
You should try it sometime, you might start a new trend in Cuba 😉
😂
Hahaha... It's the fluff from the cap of the coat. Well, I had a haircut myself, you can imagine what I look like. 👀🥴
Yay! And I spotted also a mug - which I didn't see in your mug collection post hahaha
That last photo without you... I prefer those with you, as they make a cool collection 😋
I don't know what happened to that mug. I can't remember seeing it at home afterwards, or giving it away during the few times I moved...
I'm so disappointed in you, I thought you had better taste 🤔
I have a special taste 😜
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You have taken beautiful and attractive photos. Which country does Prague belong to? I wish we could also see the iron wheels and clocks that you have photographed up close, in Shiraz, Iran, which is one of the most beautiful provinces of this country. We have similar columns
It's a pity by that Iran is not accessible to people, it has such a rich history I'm sure it will be very interesting to visit. Perhaps you can write some travel posts of your country and share with us
Thank you very much. Yes, my drawer has many places to visit. It's great. I would be happy if you could travel to my country
Great throwback to Prague and Karlovy Vary! The matchbox souvenir and your photos are wonderful. The coach adventure in Karlovy Vary sounds stressful but memorable.
Have you revisited any other past travel spots, and are there new places you’re planning to explore?
I have a lot of travel posts around the world that I've pinned in Worldmappin, feel free to check them out. Next trip will be Croatia next week to attend Hivefest, looking forward to that
Oh i definitely will...😇
Pauline photobombs Prague 😂
😂🫣😅
Yup, that was the old (or younger?) Pauline
I get it old and younger, what a weird language English is lol
Well lucky the bus driver was nice!
I haven't been to Karlovy Vary but loved cesky krumlov and Prague. Many crazy memories there.
PS how cute are you!!