Bohemian Rhapsody

Trip Start Feb 05, 2008
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Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of Czech Republic  , Bohemia,
Sunday, August 24, 2008

Centred in the heart of Bohemia, Cesky Krumlov is by far and away the most beautiful and charming medieval town I've ever seen.   I'll let the accompanying photos try and do the talking.  The old town, with its classic narrow, winding and contoured cobble-stoned roads is split by the River Vltava, the same one that runs through Prague.  There's a fantastic and superlative Renaissance castle sitting up on one side and the Latran quarter with a big cathedral sitting on high on the other. 
 
It was funny changing from an Austrian OBB train to Czech Rail at the border.  The former departed and arrived exactly on schedule; the latter, of inferior quality shall we say, left about on time, but then went back to pick up some people who must have been late.  Then it waited and waited.  We finally left about half an hour later, give or take.  So much for my 20 minute window to change trains in Ceske Budejovice. 
 
You may have heard that Czech customer service is generally bad.   It's true. You could describe it as what I look to call  'surly and indifferent'.  Czech Rep. is home to the delicious Pilsner Urquell and the original Budweiser Budvar, $2 or less.  Full meals in a restaurant were around 10 bucks, half that at stands.  Potatoe pancakes, pork knuckle, roast chicken and (unfortunately) not long on vegetables.  Hostel Merlin was the poorest hostel I'd seen in a long time.  Cramped quarters, no common area and no service.  Just a place to crash.  A full day is all you need here anyway.  I was up early and on an 8:30 train to Prague. 
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