Czech Poland Slovakia Hungary Croatia

---

The Bohemian Rhapsody - Eastern Trekker

Thursday, 15 July 2010 Plus Prague, Prague
Woke just after 6am again but got up about 6.30am so that I could call home and get some internet done before leaving for flight. Called and got to chat to mum and dad. Brad was there but asleep and he doesn’t talk too much on the phone anyway. Had a nice brekky and chat again to thank guy for putting me onto Moscatel, he was shocked when I had the whole bottle and said lucky I didn’t have a second one! Wandered down and caught bus to airport which was E3.50 instead of rip off cab. Checked in and customs wasn’t even really a check. At gate, went to toilet and little lady was cleaning but worst toilet I’ve been to in a while. Funny I should mention yesterday how good they are. Coming out, saw urinals….. that explains it  Had a little sleep on the plane after watching every bit of Spain beneath us cultivated. Coming into Prague was nice with it only semi cultivated and set on a nice river. Anyway, after coming through customs, oh, actually that was totally non-existent, as easy as crossing land borders over here, tried to change USD20 and the guy said he has minimum USD40. I said it was only for one meal and he said it would hardly buy a burger. Changed money at a machine and USD20 spat out CZK340 which is Czech Crown or Koruny, which is what I had when I was thinking I was on a two day diet! Caught bus straight away and leaned on seat next to little girl. Then her dad made her move over, but I think it was to save her rather than help me. Anyway, bus was CZK50 to the train station, then a little maze to find the right line and how to pay with dodgy coins. I asked a local lady and she had to swap coins in her purse until some finally worked. Was another CZK26 for train which included the tram I had to take for one stop as well. Then couple of minutes walk and made it to hostel, saving $20 odd dollars and having a challenge in the meantime. Checked in about 6.30pm and had my free coke, that is 40 here so about $2.50 and read a map. Still had ¼ hr on my train ticket so lucky didn’t have to buy another one that way and into town centre. Bought some snacks and water first up from near stop and then wandered around, took photos of Astrological Clock, which I remember is important for some reason, I can’t remember what, first or biggest or best time, I don’t know. And other buildings and over the bridge/water which were pretty, but the expense of the city doesn’t leave me wishing to rush back. Had a Vaclavska sausage which is the biggest and tastiest one I’ve ever had! At least an inch in diameter and 10-12” long, how are you supposed to eat that in public - it was worse than a banana! Oh, don’t know if I mentioned but had a Russian sausage my last days in Joburg too, which although smaller was a lot more tasty. I think I put on 10 pounds for each one. Caught a tram home but couldn’t pay so saved a dollar. Had that in Portugal too, couldn’t pay for the tram. Had money handy both times but nowhere to pay. Lucky noone came on and checked. Got home about 10pm and had a warm/cold shower which was much appreciated. Geez it is hot here, not super hot, just hot enough to work up a sweat when walking, which I have to whine, my ankle is killing me again. Might be the hot it doesn’t like and I’ll have to move somewhere colder at home. And as soon as my ankle goes, my knee goes worse, I think I walk funny to stop ankle hurting. Anyway, made it home ok.

Friday, 16 July 2010 Classic Rhapsody, Eastern Trekker, Olmounac
Someone was up at 6am and then I couldn’t go back to sleep. Kinda repacked from air packing and doing diary and taking photos of maps and money ready to head down for 7am breakfast, to be ready to leave on tour by 8am. I am kinda excited, but also worried, there is a big bus like normal tours, but I think this is more like Contiki drinking tours. We’ll see. Breakfast was included, but still doubt it was. Loaded up and off we go, headed for Kutna Hora. Was getting some history too which was awesome. Czechs are the biggest beer drinkers in world consuming average of 165 litres each per year, that is women and children as well, so excluding non-beer drinkers, say nearly 1 litre per day. There are around 10 million people with 1.7m in Prague. Czech was basically the start of WWII in that something was going on in Serbia and a Czech leader went to sort it out and he was assassinated, then friends of friends got involved and it flowed from there. Was a beautiful drive through tree lined streets, and solar panel farms. A couple of exciting bits though, train lights flashing, sneak out to see if there is a train, boom gate lands on bus, quick reverse up, nearly over cars behind us, then train flies past. Then a near head on from idiot the other direction, we slowed and went wide, so did truck being overtaken, hopefully guy up the middle shat himself! Oh, had some of my garlic chips I bought yesterday too, phew, you could smell the garlic opening the bag and it was like raw garlic, but nice. Still having it 3 hours later. And the highlight of my day was Kutna Hora church. A little village that was battling Prague for supremacy at one stage, basically making its own money with the silver pulled from the area, but then the silver ran out. The king needed something to make people stay so he sent a Bishop off to Jerusalem to find something. Basically the Bishop spent all his money, had nothing to show for it so bottled up a bit of holy land and came home and sprinkled it over the graveyard. The word got out that this was going to be as close as possible to being buried in Jerusalem and everyone came there to be buried. The extended the graveyard, but this wasn’t enough with the plague so then came the exhumations (so much for close to holy ) and then the ‘competition’ for something to do with bones so they did art more or less. Was the weirdest feeling ever, it seems that seeing skulls and thigh bones is nearly normal, but seeing jaw bones was a big one for me, especially as part of a chandelier which is made from every bone in the human body! And a coat of arms made of bones, and writing made of bones. Was very surreal and you didn’t know how to act, whether to appreciate it, be weirded out by it, laugh at it….. Anyway was awesome even if sickening a bit. Got into hotel about 3pm which is nice to have a rest until 5pm. Met downstairs before that to get back into aircon. Then wandered off for some interesting info on Olomouc. The town is pretty and main fountain has a cannonball to remind people of when Prussians were invading and a cannonball hit the upright and they begged not to hit the fountain anymore and the Prussians stopped altogether. And another astrological clock, the significance of the other story from one guide is that it is most disappointing landmark - my story is better then. And a town map model which was cool. A church that was closed, but has a picture of Mary pregnant which is different and a place where water runs up hill that they use for blessings. Also it was St Michael which is not a Saint but a Saint of Olomouc after being good to community. Is university town with genetics being studied, the man found out about two peas in a pod lived/worked/studied here. Mozart lived here from 11 years old. There is a Yukoslavia monument for protecting the town during a war and now no Yukoslavian country wants to take care of it so it is going to ruin. Had dinner at a nice place, that was hot as well - they don’t do fans here. And then an after dinner drink at an airplane that looks like it was parked up in the middle of town waiting for the butler to move it to its carpark. Weird, but interesting. Is nearly 10pm so am having an early night for big day tomorrow. Man it is special to be in a hotel with towels and tv etc. Especially seeing as I just borrowed a fan from reception - yay!

Saturday, 17 July 2010 Classic Rhapsody, Eastern Trekker, Krakow
Woke about 6am but then went back to sleep. Had a weird dream then about being back at Deeragun house, being distracted by noise and phone but answered phone and a guy down hallway held knife to my throat. I screamed at people who just left, but they didn’t hear, then he slowly but surely slit my throat. I didn’t know whether it was a warning, or whether it was cut properly so I just relaxed and then woke up….. Had an awesome brekky and then off for the day. Changed USD5 which bought me Zlotych 15.25 which works out about 2.6 or 2.8 to Aussie dollar. History first… Poland has about 37 million people and is really the home of vodka, not Russia. Based on potatoes and flavoured with everything and anything. The country is a bit of upheaval with recent crash killing 69 of countries elite in Russia, coincidentally going to commemorate a similar crash 70 years ago where the Russians did do it! First stop was Auschwitz Death Camp, selected by Germany because of it’s central position in Europe but relative secluded-ness between a couple of rivers and the railway. Was an army barracks, then changed to prison for Polish then changed to death camp where over 1.5m people were killed. We saw where there was tonnes of human hair that was saved for sale, a pile of glasses frames that I could’ve stared at for ages, around 700 childrens shoes which was sad to see how little some were and it was hard not to picture a little kid being taken to the chambers, and about 8000 adult shoes - it really hit me when I pictured my shoes just thrown in there and where I’d be! Horrid story of Joseph Mengler (maybe I am confused because all I could think was mangler), who tried experiments on people, especially twins and dwarfs. At the camp, block 10 and 11 is where torture happened, and then of course the gas chamber. When the gas chamber was so ‘successful’, they built another couple at Birkenau with crematories as well but they were the bottleneck so they started open air crematories. When prisoners arrived at Auschwitz, they were sorted left or right. 1st was old people, cripples, pregnant ladies and kids, to the left - straight to the showers. 2nd was ladies who could do work, like sorting through all the possessions that were not needed again after the showers! 3rd was the men who could do the hard work, fields as well as the few who had to move all the dead bodies from the gas chambers to the crematoriums. There was also the twins or dwarfs or anyone who Mengler thought good enough to have an experiment with. This is where Oscar Schindler saved up to 1500 jews by having them work in his factory and spent all his money to bribe guards to save lives. After this we headed to Birkenau (Auschwitz II) which was built when space was running out in Auschwitz I. There were bricks barracks on the left and the wooden ones which were quicker to build and hold more prisoners on the right where the gas chambers were. We got a very quick guide through here because we upset the guide not meeting her at front of Auschwitz I where she said. But it was 35 degrees in shade and the only thing we missed was memorial 3km walk away. Nice drive again and got into Krakow about 5pm. Little rest to meet at 6.15pm for intro tour. Meeting again later for nightclub so will shower later. Ended up going straight to dinner in sweaty shorts, but had nice meal of cheese and onion filled dumpling, pork ribs and mushroom soup, pork neck in bread and a baked cheese something dessert. All were very nice and also had a nip of muscatel too  Then paid and left early with Greg to get showered and back to square for illegal vodka tasting. The first shot tore skin from my throat which was the ladies drink. Then 2nd shot was just as bad but then you just kept on keeping on. Turned into 6 shots I had in about 20 minutes. Then at club had a malibu and coke too. Worked out jut over $5 so not bad for a nightclub, but after all those vodkas, won’t push the friendship. Had a good night listening to 80’s music and got home about 1.30am

Sunday, 18 July 2010 Classic Rhapsody, Eastern Trekker, Krakow
Awesome nights sleep. Woke up about 9am and have just done computer work all morning. Oh, breakfast was a bread roll, coffee and cornflakes, but also cheese, I had a chilly cheese and a mushroom cheese, both interesting. Is now 1pm and will be leaving soon for bike tour in the rain. People were chickening out, but some were interested so I was keen just for the childhood memories of riding around in the rain. Tour was on, so no refund so most came anyway. Turned out to be awesome. Only rained for first hour and bit. Got a lot of history from the guide which was good. The main square is 200m x 200m with more than 100 clubs around the edges. Like the Kings gate to the old city was going to be pulled down to save maintaining it and one of the councilors wanted to keep it for history but knew if he said that to other counselors it would be pulled down so said that it was a wind break and if it was removed, the wind would blow all the ladies skirts up going into St Annes. So the ladies modesty was saved. Then we went to St Annes which had a story of two brothers building the two towers, one built all day every day and the other was lazy. When the first brother was just about finished, the other brother finally woke up so killed him. The towers are different looking. Also, the highest tower was used as a watchtower. One day the guard saw something suspicious so got on his trumpet and started playing the “oh shit we are in trouble” song but got half way through and the attackers shot him in throat with an arrow so that is 2nd most important song to national anthem now is this cut off song. (PS I think that is what my slit throat dream was all about now). Then to university area and saw university where John Paul II studied, and lived and the little window he used to address the crowds. The kings palace that has a 12 tonne bell that is only used on special occasions, it takes 12 men swinging on ropes to ring it. The town dragon statue who ate all the town virgins, and which was finally slayed by a shoemaker. The Jewish area, including the part where lady with kid and hiding under stairs was filmed. The old Jewish quarter where there is chair statues symbolizing all the furniture that was left behind and thrown into the streets. And the factory where Oscar Schindler housed the 1000-1500 Jews who he saved from the gas chambers. 3 hours, wet and sore ass, aching neck later, we returned bikes and I was starving and had to have a kebab. Not like our rolled kebabs but more like a soft bread taco I suppose that comes with a fork. Nice though. And guys serving were awesome. We had a funny body language conversation, after my kebab fell over, I packed it back into the bread and wiped the packet on my shorts where it spilt and he looked at me and laughed and pointed to the napkins  Now nearly 6pm and we are meeting for dinner at 7pm. Was still pissing down so put on poncho, but feet were drenched by 50m up the road so I piked. Girls at room wanted to watch Schindlers List so that was good, but then they didn’t have it so watched Defiance instead which is movie based in Belarus where Jews hid in forest for a couple of years and 1500 or so survived. Was near 11pm when I got to bed.

Monday, 19 July 2010 Classic Rhapsody, Eastern Trekker, Zakopane
Must have slept bad because I woke with alarm at 6.50am and was struggling to get up. Brekky was ok and then took luggage down. Oh story of Matt who was challenged by a group of youths last night and had his hat stolen, but he was shaken over it obviously. Loaded up and headed off for Zakopane. Was only a couple of hours drive and had the afternoon free in the lovely little mountain city. Oh, saw a couple of deer today on our drive which was cool. And the landscape and housing was cute too. Zakopane has solid 5000 people living here, but I am sure every one of them was in a car queue we were in. And town was so busy, obviously a lot of tourists. And apparently this is quiet it gets busy in ski season! Walked into town which was about ½ hour walk, I had to do a Dora to remember how to get home, cross where the workers are, over the river, turn right at the big green house. Was lovely little town, we had a pizza thing for lunch which I shared with Jess, it was 2 foot long! Then we got menu envy of others who were having potato fritter things with pork or mushroom sauce, so we got both and shared them. Then tried to get a huge soft serve, but machine was broke so ended up with a scoop ice cream for about $1.60. Snickers and Shrek, which I think was sour Kiwifruit flavour. Then went for walk up to funicular where others were going to catch train but being overcast I was going to walk at least for the exercise. Had to go to toilet first though and pay as much for a scoop of ice cream for a poop! People are so dumb too, I had to pay 2 Zloty to go to the toilet, which is nearly a dollar. You’d think that the lady collecting the money might at least count the people up to 3 toilets that were available and stop the stooped person who kept trying to open my door handle. Once, fair enough, you don’t have to understand “someone is in here” just the voice should keep you out, but no, try the handle again, and I ended up having to have a handle battle pushing the handle up against their resistance. Do you not think then - hey, someone is in there, I’ll let them have their shit in peace, especially seeing as they have paid a heap for it! But noooooo. So then I took my time  And then, walking uphill for over half hour, people coming down would step into your path about 2 metres out and expect you to move out of the way - I figured I was going up and had right of way, so took it. Up the top was clouded over and could hardly see 10m in front of you, but it was nice to wander around. Stopped on way down and took some photos over the little city which was nice. So all up, 2 hours walking today, at least half hour uphill…. Still not losing weight though. Supposed to go out for huge dinner tonight, but might pike and have a good nights sleep. Ankle and knee it tight and twisting every second step today, and still trying to get rid of the last of this flu. Plus, after what we ate for lunch, I don’t need to eat for another month, let alone a huge meal. Picked up our tour t-shirt before everyone left and just watched tv and rested. Got to sleep around 11pm and others got home at 11.30pm. Chatted for a while then.

Tuesday, 20 July 2010 Classic Rhapsody, Eastern Trekker, Budapest
Slept really well but woke up tired again. Got ready and headed down for nice brekky. Oh, last night was on 5th floor but there was a lift, but it only went to 3rd floor and then you had to pack on and go up last two flights of stairs. Brekky was nice, but kept having the sausage flavour all day. And at breakfast, of all places, I learned about the moon cup. The economical, environmentally friendly new menstrual instrument. Just picture a fuel filter and I am yet to learn how it works. One of the guys did give us a customer review though which was interesting. Cool bus trip, playing games, and being tasked with getting songs together of our lives to then introduce to everyone (hopefully I’ll get out of that) but it was interesting, for those of you who know me, here is the list…. Introduction song-Better Woman, Younger years-Nine Mile Run or Scrubbashing (I say younger years because new car I might learn not to take it swimming), Now-Live Like You Were Dying, Love song-Years From Now, Action song-How Bad Do You Want It, The end credits-Hallelujah I’m Ready. All country and funnily enough I heard others saying it was hard because they liked the song but not the words - go country, it’s all about words. Driving through Slovakia most of the day was a nice drive. Basically, it was the country that Hostel the movie was based on (thank god we don’t stay here), and are good at ice hockey. At lunch stop we had a picnic under a tree and a local shepherd came and chatted to us amongst yelling at his sheep and throwing his stick at them. Oh, and a few goats and a deer. Signed up for 18,000 forint worth of tours which is about $85. Into Hungary and some history again. The locals here are all quite smart and they think it is because the language is so hard so kids brains develop a heap in younger years when they are learning the language. Lots of doctors, mathematicians, chess players. Budapest the capital has about 2m of 10m people - that is familiar story so far. Oh, boys had to beware because girls would talk to them and chat them up and then say the bill is USD1000 and be escorted by a bouncer to the ATM for money. Another country that got last independence in 1989 when Iron Curtain came down. Famous people here, a soccer player I can’t say the name of whose foot is in some museum. Mr Biro who invented the biro. A famous local drink is red wine called bulls blood from when Ottomon were attacking and could see people drinking this red drink and were good fighters. Budapest is two words Buda and Pest on each side of the Danube which flows into the Black Sea. Oh, and Hungary is in EU as well as Czech and Poland who have not passed the test to be able to use the Euro yet. When we got to hotel, I am sharing with Carly and Lee again and Matt this time, first night was Jess, then Carly and Lee and Greg, then Carly Lee and Mark. They might think Carly Lee and me are a threesome  Anyway, went back out to get some money and had trouble again with Wizard card. Tried 2 banks, 2 passwords with no luck and 3rd bank 2nd password I finally got money. Drew 19,000 and then had a decent shower and 2 nights so got some washing done. Met up for dinner which was ½ hr walk away and had nice 3 courses, beef goulash soup, chicken paprika and cold pasta with sour cream through it, and pancake dessert. Glass of wine and tried some mushroom main as well which was awesome. Then another fair walk to the Danube to do our night cruise. Was just sunset about 9pm when we got there so some nice pics. Then I was amazed how photos worked from moving boat, but very nice. Had a vodka red bull and fanta on the boat and then walked back to pub near our hostel which was amazing. Lots of little trinkets hanging and stuck everywhere, and the best thing was a fan! Yes, a boring fan. They don’t do them here and it is bloody hot. Left there and others were heading out but I walked the block or two home. Had a weird guy standing on corner like he was waiting for a taxi, then when I passed (on the other side of the street) he started walking behind me, then I walked faster and he did as well, I was just about to break into a run when he went inside a building. Got home and chatted to others who did their own cruise for a while, then opened all the windows in our room and there was not a breeze. Was nearly too hot to sleep which wasn’t helped when guys outside were talking and somehow cigarette smoke drifted into room (without the breeze). Finally got to sleep and heard others come home at 3 different times.

Wednesday, 21 July 2010 Classic Rhapsody, Eastern Trekker, Budapest
Woke to someone calling Matt about 6am, then ½ hour later, it sounded like they were building a building or collecting garbage just outside our window, for about ½ an hour! I was conscious enough to see Lee sleeping on the floor though  Had a bit of a headache, which I don’t think I deserved from a wine and vodka, but probably from lack of sleep. Anyway, had brekky and then met up for bike tour of Budapest. Was very nice riding around, mostly in the shade and creating our own breeze. Seeing little historical landmarks, mainly of which St Stephen seemed to be mostly in. He brought 7 tribes together back in AD894 by memory and was just a normal bloke, but after they dug his body up for some reason, his right hand was mummified so they made him a Saint. The church of St Stephen is odd because it had him at main altar not Jesus. Saw Heroes Square again as well which of course the centerpiece is St Stephen and other heroes of their time. Oh, some other exciting stuff from the ride, my water bottle bounced off over rail tracks so pulled over and had to dodge bikes and cars to get it back, then happened to few others during the ride. There was an uphill bit of 5 mins or so that nearly killed me. Then coming down, we were flying along beside parked buses and then one of our group popped out in front of Mark and me who had to brake hard enough to smell the burning rubber. Oh, and one of the girls nearly got cleaned up by a boom gate - only seen it twice and both on this trip, bus and now her  Crossing streets as a group of 12 or so cyclists is always exciting and then today Rachel fell off as well. After the tour we went and bought our train tickets for going to baths this afternoon and then I walked back with Sara, Maria and Jackie and barely between the 4 of us we remembered enough landmarks to get us home. I went out to get a quick lunch so I could have a little lie down before our 6.30pm meet for the baths. I went to Burger King but line was too slow so went back across to supermarket and got some stuff, including 1ltr of ice cream for lunch, flavoured water, juice and chips, just to use up the money I have. Came home and have polished off the coffee ice cream, even though the last bit was iced coffee, and now doing diary and photos to be able to rest peacefully. Have run out of disk space though so will have to do a bit of burning and backups and deleting. Is too bloody hot to sleep anyway. Took me till nearly 6.30pm to make space on pc and do backups etc and then met up to go to thermal baths which Hungary is famous for. They were really nice, got discount too for after 7pm which is great. Some good lookers around too, but saddest thing was a guy with what must have been elephantitis - otherwise he was rugby ball smuggling! Warmest outside one was only 34 degrees but had a nice water spout that was like a massage. And then a cooler pool had a spa and a whirlpool which was great fun. Then back home by 9.30pm for pizza, someone threw water on our group from out of a top window down one street, my first scary thought was old England where they’d throw out their ablutions. The pizza were as big as guides were saying, a piece was about 8 inches across the crust end, and then pushing a foot along either side. I could only eat 2 ½ pieces and I was starving. While we were eating this in our courtyard, again, someone threw water down over us. Then an egg. I was ready to go out and buy a dozen eggs and lob some back into their loungeroom. Had a few Forinht coins leftover so walked down to supermarket and had a magnum - first time I’ve come close to forcing ice cream in.

Thursday, 22 July 2010 Classic Rhapsody, Eastern Trekker, Plitvice
Woke up feeling like shit again after shocking nights sleep again. Too hot and tired to eat much breakky today even. Then off driving again. Back of bus group was playing truth or dare, without the dare for a while which was quite interesting. We stopped at Lake Belleton and I was going to have a quick swim, but was quite cold and didn’t need to get that wet. Had lunch at some little town about 3pm so was starving. Next stop was an open air war museum that was in spot of some little battle where farmers with pitchforks held off an army with tanks and artillery for 4 days. Most of the houses around had war wounds with bullet holes everywhere because they can’t afford to fix them up, and the houses that were vacated, noone wants to fix, because the owners could come back and claim them when they are fixed up. Then another little spot we noticed as we were helping Greg write down Bob facts (a guy on tour who came up with most inappropriate comments at inappropriate times eg on our 2min intro lap around the bus, he got to talk to me about tampons, and then another time talking about peeing in the bush, he said, well it is not like you are flashing your clitoris about, which came with a big hip swinging action) saw a house with a river coming through it’s garage. Got into our camp and after a nice cool shower, am now sweating again in our little hut. Going over to help out with BBQ now. Cooked with Carlos and Lee, bloody hot. And at cevapipi local sausage things, and awesome salad of fetta, olives, tomato, onion and mushrooms. Then was heading to bed about 9pm but Laura said to wait for fine night. Everyone had a shot for whatever nationality they were, then other fines, I got one especially for saving my water bottle whilst risking my life. Oh, that is how I ended up as bear defence as well when Canadian Rachel left, who was the original obvious bear defence  As well as wanting to attack those throwing water and eggs at us by returning eggs. Ended up nearly midnight before I got to bed then.

Friday, 23 July 2010 Classic Rhapsody, Eastern Trekker, Split
Woke up feeling like shit. Well was middle of night and woke myself up coughing numerous occasions. Voice sounds horrible and throat doesn’t feel too hot. Also, finally the flu has got the better of me and is sapping all my energy and joints, especially my ankle is aching. Had a quick brekky and then short drive into Plitvice National Park. Is similar to Agua Azul in Mexico with limestone reflecting colour of the sky and beautiful blues and aquas and waterfalls everywhere. Only did half the walk though because I was so knackered. Was still 2 hours though and then slept under shady trees another couple of hours till we were ready to go. Then slept most of the way into Split. Checked into hostel and then took Panadeine and slept another couple of hours before we met up for intro walk. Struggled through that, one interesting bit is Diocletions Palace on the beachfront, built and lived in by only Roman Emperor to retire, all the others were murdered, but he did his fair share of killing Christians in his palace right near the church. Said goodbye to a few people because I wasn’t going to make the 9.30pm meet up and go out. Oh, it was decided on our bus tonight that our Facebook tour group name shall be Stern Rekker, not Moon Cups, because at the fines night, the door was open and Eastern Trekker became Stern Rekker which is funnily appropriate for this tour. Then got some meat, eggs and rice for dinner and will cook that up and head to bed. Turned out nice for being out of cooking practice, oh wait, I probably go a couple of months without cooking at home  That would be 4 months though with Sydney as well. Was in bed by 10pm. Oh forgot to whinge about my worst day of holidays, and having to walk about 1km to our hostel, then of course I’m on the second floor where there are no lifts. Just moving is hard enough today, let alone backpacking it up a few flights of stairs. But there is a god! It was airconditioned - the first place on the trip to even have a fan and it was air con instead…. Yay!

---

Photos

Prague Astronomical Clock
By rumour, guides have it as most disappointing landmark in Europe...

Prague
Charles bridge Vltava River

Prague vaclavska
The biggest tastiest sausage I've eaten in a long while!

Kutna Hora
Lucky I didn't smash you with these photos - absolutely amazing how you can do art with bones :)

Olomouc group shot
Matt Mark Jason Steve Bec Ninca Brenda Sarah Elise Dee Chr!stine Mina Colin Amy Carly Sara Amy Greg Mark Lee Tom Danielle Kate Bob Kym Callum Sara Jackie

Olomouc airplane bar
Yep - just parked up in the middle of the city is an airplane that is now a bar!

Krakow Viva
Jess Tom Maria

Krakow cycle tour in rain
Colin Rachel Danielle Jason Greg Mark Tom

Slovakian Shepherd
Don't know if he had 10 wives or sheep or wanted to take us 10 girls in the park as wives?

Budapest Thermal Baths
Note the awesome whirlpool in the middle of the pool.

Budapest pizza night
You know I'm a good eater and I could not do 3 of these - especially with incoming eggs!

Open Air War Museum near Plitvice House damage
Every second house around here still is covered in bullet holes!