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I am writing this in Karlovy Vary so do not expect me to remember all that much – apart from the fact I did not do much other than eat very fine Italian food (later).
There comes a point, and I am a very lazy uninspired traveler and lack considerable ‘get up and go’ in that regard, where you can’t be bothered making much more effort in running around everywhere. If I did not get to see it, that;s my fault and I never have “must do” lists (other than the absolute basics). My “accidental tourism” rules OK? – maybe I saw it, maybe I should have etc.
Anyway today was hopelessly late start – with trip to Florenc 3 metro stops on to check out bus situation to Karlovy Vary – out of metro went around the world and found the bus station on the other side – exits can be misleading, although the 3 colour regime of the red, yellow and green lines is easy to follow. Bought my ticket for tomorrow – 150Kr ($18) for 140min. trip to KV. Then cos I had a 75min. ticket went for further ride on metro planning to get tram
back. Map showed me what tram to get – but even with compass and knew direction I was supposed to go, met with 4 way tram junction! Finally found the right arm and headed off towards Stare Mesto/Old City. My sum total exposure to that specific quarter was to be that afternoon remaining – having somewhat OD’d on Mala Strana (see Accidental Tourist concept!). Some very expensive hotels around there – and a wine and food fair in square selling cured meats, cheeses and French wines etc. So bought a glass of some 2005 red Bordeaux for 60Kr (about $3.25) and sat down for a sip on a seat. Then wandered around generally and saw some old buildings and stuff (you can see this is going nowhere so whatever pix there are, enjoy!). Walked back up Wencesals Sqr to hotel – metro and change line on Sunday would prob. have taken longer. Changed in evening attire (jeans and long slvd shirt rather than shorts & sandals etc) and headed over to LP hyped Manesova St in Vinohrady as a “happening place”.
The place seemed less than jumping and eating places not everywhere. However at 9pm Aromi, an Italian restaurant,
looked reasonable on basis of specials written up outside (but no prices). This was a bit of a shock (for prices here generally) but still pretty cheap in comparison to Oz for the quality. Insalate di puntarelle (245Kr= $13.70) – smoked tuna cut carpaccio thin with a salad of rocket etc on top. Can’t say I have ever had smoked tuna – they do it in house and the waiter told me they get fresh fish 4 times a week from Italian fishermen on the coast (Czech is rather inland). Most of the specials in fish were for 2 or 3 people strangely enough (new to me – not like Chateaubriand!) and fish I had never heard of by name. I chose Polletto organico (375Kr = $21) the roast organic chicken on mash and asparagus, which was pretty good – other mains tended to be around 450-500kr. A half bottle of white Vedicchio I think was 395Kr. Could expect an Italian resto to do wine rather than beer! The place has a cooking school and a store as well by the sounds. Service was very good although the wine bottle marooned in a holder on the other side of the
table meant I could hardly serve myself when glass ran dry and place was near empty – some American ladies doing the full vintage red decanted into a carafe near by. I had a decaf coffee having looked at desserts and declined (no tiramisu TG). He asked re grappa etc – then brought me a complimentary one anyway. So my alcohol consumption for the day was well up – fell asleep on bed when got home and woke at 3.30am to resume properly!
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