The weekend jolly to Prague.

[Kingy]

I may not have mentioned it ...   ... but I went to Prague at the weekend. 

My brother Jason, Mark and I set off early Friday morning, returning Sunday night. We were in one of the nice airport lounges early Friday before flying off just before 7am.

None of us had been to Prague, but we've heard lots of good things about it so were looking forwards to the trip. 

I'd read about the stag/hen culture and about pickpockets, muggings etc. - but before I get onto a few pics I have to say we didn't see any stag/hen parties where we went and didn't have one issue with anyone trying to con or rob us. I think if you stay in the main tourist areas (where prices are *much* higher anyway) then you may possible see some of this. We pass through the main areas and ALWAYS search out the local culture/ bars so get to see a bit of the 'real' Prague. We had the same experience in Budapest. 

Anyway, Prague was ready for us and even sorted a nice little welcome for me! 



Once we were checked in at the hotel we went for a wander to get our bearings - and enjoy a couple of beers. As you do. 
This was next door to the hotel, so we bobbed in ... http://en.ufleku.cz/interesting-facts/
It's a huge impressive place with lot's of history. The dark lager was a surprisingly nice drink as were the honey flavoured shorts. 



We had a surprise though as two rounds and a shorts came to about £20. We hadn't budgeted our Prague currency for that! So, onward we went. 

We wandered toward Wenceslas Aquare. We were told by some friends that this was one of the main places to go. 
Passed a rotating head sculpture on the way. Really effective. 



We quicly established that this Wenceslas Square where we might see stag/hen parties so had a look and took some pics. Oh, and tried the light larger too. Being more 'canny' we were now in the £80p to £1.00 a pint bracket. Really nice beer too, so we were happy and suddenly felt like tin pot millionaires!   



By chance we wandered into an old cinema complex where we found another interesting sculpture. Its King Wenceslas riding an upside down horse. Like you do. 



This is the original sculpture in Wenceslas Square. The upside down one is a two fingered gesture towards this and the Goverment. 



Another beer and some food before (tried the local goulash with sliced dumplings - very nice) we moved on. 



We wandered back via 'Old Town' with its famous astranomical clock. We much preferred 'Old Town' as it was more spread out with more going on and lots of side streets to explore. 




Wandering back toward the hotel we tried another bar and another brand of beer. What did surprise us is that you can still smoke in bars. We really arent used to that and struggled with the smoke in smaller places. This was a rather nice smooth beer ...



One of the recurring things we saw was graffiti. It was a shame some fantastic buildings were spoilt by 'tagging'. Very little of it was graffiti art and the only thing that stopped it was cameras on buildings. No cameras = graffiti. 






Although this did catch my eye ...



To be continued ....

[Kingy]

OK. I've started so I will finish ...

Prague by night. 

We walked from the hotel up by the river (Old Town side) toward Charles Bridge. You seem to pass something interesting wherever you walk in Prague. It never takes long. We felt this was the main difference from Budapest. There there are very distinct districts/ areas and you have little inbetween. Prague has similar 'districts' but they move seamlessly from one to another. 



Old Town Square.



And the three stooges obligatiry selfie in Coyotees Bar. Some rather nice ladies in VERY short skirts dance on the bar on the hour every hour ... which was nice. 



On the way home we passed some filming. Turns out it was for 'Underworld 5 - The Next Generation', with the lovely Kate Beckinsdale starring again (no, sadly we didn't see her). 






They were hammering three motorbikes and a big black 4x4 up and down that road. Very very loud and quick. Quite interesting to watch for a few minutes before bobbling back to the hotel which was a few minutes further. But not before one last bar ...



Great little place you walk down into just around the corner from the hotel. 84 pence per pint and very quirky. We like quirky, they like rockets ...





Saturday and we are our to see a few sight during the day. We wandered over the other side of the river to see a few places, then cut back to Old Town over Charles Bridge. First stop was 'The Dancing Building' which had a rooftop bar (yes, of course we did!) 



Some of the buildings were so impressive ...







Wandering through a park we found this sculpture. It is a memorial to the victims of communism and those whos lives were ruined by "Totalitarian Despotism". 
Just looks like a load of old blocked with their todgers out to me, but who's to judge! 



Stopped in a couple of local cafes for beers and a bite to eat. This one had some interesting wall art to the Knights Templar ..



More graffiti as we left the park to walk towards John Lennon wall ...



Which just looked like even more graffiti to me! 



We now wandered over the famous but far too busy Charles Bridge which takes you to the Cathedral. We did go in there. It was very impressive but we didn't want to take pics as people were in the pews taking some time to themselves. These are on the bridge ...





Yep, I touched that ^^ as everyone else was doing. No idea why, but why not. When in Prague ... 



And looking down the river ...



So, sightseeing done we were off to try and find 'THE PUB'. We were desperate to see this place. You have your own pumps and just drink what you want. On the way we passed an odd place ...






And then we found the Pub ...



You get a glass which you wash before pouring each drink. Very simple, but sooooooo much fun!
Unless you are Mark and are utterly useless at pulling pints ...



By coincidence we got there for their 'happy hour', so we had a great time and left very very happy!



A couple of pics from another very exclusive bar we went into. They had refused us entry on Friday night, but let us in Saturday. Cocktails only so I went for the always trusted Tom Collins. Despite being a wonderful exclusive little bar (with a no photo policy) it was surprisingly reasonable on price. 



Back via a few more bars, ending up in a very seedy place near the hotel. Rolled in at 4am ready for a few hours sleep. 

[Kingy]

Sunday, Bloody Sunday ... Not really, we were up and out looking forward to our last day in Prague. It's a wonderful City. 

We purposely did more walking than drinking as we were off to the airport at 5pm so wanted to be in a good state to fly. 
By chance we wandered into the film crews again who had upped it a notch and decked out a full square. 













We had a nice steak ... and a beer or two before wandering back through Old Town and to the hotel. One of the places we popped into for a drink with the goat:



Stopped in the Rocket Bar for a last drink and then we were off. 

A couple of buildings which we passed on our travels ...







And thats about it. 

A brief taste and just a few pics of our lads jolly weekend in Prague. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Wonderful place to visit and can be as busy / quiet / expensive / cheap as you want it.

[speedymadR6]

Looks and sounds like a great weekend had by all Kingy

[croweman]

Great write up mate lots of great architecture, shame about all that grafitti though maybe it has some significance other than just tagging?

[Kingy]

(10-12-2015, 01:38 PM)speedymadr6 Wrote: Looks and sounds like a great weekend had by all Kingy

It was mint Dave. Really enjoyed it. 

(10-12-2015, 02:26 PM)croweman Wrote: Great write up mate lots of great architecture, shame about all that grafitti though maybe it has some significance other than just tagging?

Cheers Martin. 
Some of the buildings were amazing. Must have taken months/ years to get them right and similar to keep them in the same condition. 
I'm not sure the graffiti is much more than local scallys with too much time on their hands denoting their local area. Had to laugh on one street. They did a wall and then did a white (panel van) parked up near the wall!

[jollyjoiner]

Bloody ell what with yours and Frasers write ups it feels like I've read two novels lol

Looks a stunning place matey, with plenty of nice architecture.

I'm not sure about the male sculptures with their todgers out though haha and the one with the King on his upside down horse is just odder than odd lol.

Oh and don't give up the day job for pulling pints because you wouldn't last a day hahahaha

[BB]

Great report Kingy, looks like you did most of the buildings we did years ago but we did far fewer bars. Shame about the graffiti wasn't much of that when we went.

[speedymadR6]

Still amazed at how many places of interest you visited!

[Kingy]

(10-12-2015, 06:04 PM)Jollyjoiner Wrote: I'm not sure about the male sculptures with their todgers out though haha and the one with the King on his upside down horse is just odder than odd lol.

A woman was having her picture taken at the Old Codgerd Todgers sculpture. She stepped back and went to lean on one of the sculptures - but realised she was about to grab its' knob. We pointed and giggled like schoolkids! 

(10-12-2015, 07:45 PM)speedymadr6 Wrote: Still amazed at how many places of interest you visited!

We always try and get around the Cities we visit. Rude not too when you go all that way. It does help that most places of interest have bars nearby