Czech Republic

I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

April 21. This is an organizing day- clean vehicle, shop, dump, collect fresh water and begin a long drive to the Czech Republic. We are now in Cesky Krumlov (CK) and “what might you ask is CK?” as I did. It is Unesco World Heritage Site. The town’s original Gothic fortress was rebuilt as an imposing Renaissance Chateau in the late 16th century. Since the 18th century the town was restored. Everyone here is also trying to catch up after the neglect of the communist era.
We found municipal parking for two nights right at the foot of the old town and castle.

April 22. The temps overnight got chilly, the thermometer read 47 F in the early AM. The weather has been like late spring/early summer, the locals complain they missed spring.
Today we walked around the medieval town and got tickets for the Walking Tour. “Sharky” our guide was super and her English great. The history is quite interesting… following the monarchs and how they built and spent lots of money . 1989 was the end of communist rule here and since then CK has been busily rebuilding, restoring, etc. It is a very popular destination for tourists.
The afternoon tour of the castle was also informative. Each monarch changed or added it own form of opulence. It is hard to relate to monarchs and think of the many, many poor folks that paid the price. However, the grandeur was nothing compared to the Haupsburg Castle in Vienna.
Our last stop was the local brewery Eggener. They have a fine menu and good beer!
I stopped at an ATM machine today and the only currency available is the Czech Krona. Even being a member of the EU, the Czech people do not want to go to the Euros. They see… other countries that have gone to Euros and the price of everything goes up and up!

April 23, Thursday. Cesky Krumlov to Ceske Budejovice. After a brief drive we drove right into the centrum, and parked in the main plaza. We walked around town and visited the Black Tower and church. Today the weather has cooled a bit. Camping Dlouha Louka is open, even though our book said “May to Sept” !! Yeah! After settling in, we walked back to the main plaza, one of the largest in Europe. The local bus took us up to the brewery and we enjoyed a nice lunch before our tour in English. A young man at the bus stop became our instant friend. He is a university student and loves a chance to speak English. We toured the brewery, Budweiser/ Budvar however, there is no connection to the US Budweiser! Since we are the only English speakers, we have a private tour.
This is western Bohemia and there is no grid system of roads, so getting back to the campground was a bit tricky; we need to leave breadcrumbs or something?!
The campground had a sign at the WC (bathroom) warning campers of the lack of safety ---even if bikes are locked up and vehicles. Something to keep in mind!!

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