Europe Day 2 (PART 2): The city of a hundred spires - Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC

Monday, 18 Dec 2006

The fairy-tale city is one of Europe's most beautiful capitals, with 6 hundred years of well preserved architecture. Prague, to me is a beautiful city full of spookiness. I guess it’s the combination of the ancient buildings, night lighting, some legends, the winter chill and the gloomy weather that makes this city kind of ghostly. It is, I think the perfect setting for vampire movies. Prague is also the most unsafe city of all that I have visited. Another family in our group had someone broke into their hotel room while they were all out enjoying dinner. Thus, unless it is a group tour with a local guide, we refrained ourselves from exploring the city on our own at night.

Arriving into Prague

Dorint Novotel

This huge heart shape thing, hanging in the middle of the hotel is a very special vocal amplifier creation. You can actually talk another person standing at the other side of the heart (approx 10 m apart) right through the hole at the centre of the heart. The amplified voice is so good that it feels like the other person is talking right at your ear!

Our room.....

Strahov Monastery

This monastery of the Premonstratensians Order founded in 1140 is one of the oldest monasteries in the world. Though it was raided several times, its 800 year old library still belongs among the most important in Bohemia. The building is now serves as a monastery and a museum.

Taking a break at a local bar

I know, I know, the clip is too dark but this is the best I could do with my camera :(

Quiet street in Prague

The white error shows the flood level when Prague had their worst flood a few years back. Scary!

Kampa Island

Kampa island, also known as the Venice of Prage is a little island on the Vltava River. The island is separated from the left bank, just to the left of Charles Bridge by a narrow stream called Certovka (Devil's Stream) where many watermills used to be. Kampa island is an unexpectedly peaceful part of Prague.

Millrace ancient waterwheel

Charles Bridge at night

A view of National Theatre from Charles Bridge

Prague Castle

The Old Town bridge tower is often considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world