The Lesser Town

On our 2nd day, we awoke to heavy snowfall. It was cold and damp when we started our walk. We were kissed by snowflakes. And again, i felt that smile forming, that smile when i first saw snow. Just for a while, i'm truly happy.

Today, our mission is to cover the other side of town, the Lesser Town. To get there, we had to cross the Vltava River over Charles Bridge (Karluv Most).

On the day we were here, we saw artists displaying and selling their creations and aspiring musicians who gave life to the bridge with music befitting the weather. It would have been more of an atmospheric walk had we not been busy dodging other tourists.

The key attraction on this bridge has to be the 30 statues from the 18th century and the view of the castle on the hill above. There was one particular statue that had the attention of many. Amidst whispers, people started reaching for the golden shine at the bottom of this statue. There has to be a reason why everyone is doing this, even the Japanese, though i half-suspect some of them have no idea what is the mystery behind it. So, being predictable tourists, we touched it for good measure.

When i finally googled it when we returned, word has it that touching that particular statue will bring you good luck, ensure your return to Prague and grant you a wish. It is the Statue of St.John of Nepomuk, the 8th statue on your right (heading from Old Town Square). John of Nepomuk was a priest in Prague under King Wenceslas IV. The priest received the confessions of the Queen and unfortunately for the priest, the King was a very suspicious man. He wanted to know the Queen's confessions which Nepomuk would not reveal, not even to the King, because it would be against his commitment of confidentiality. Nepomuk was therefore exectued by being thrown into the Vltava River from the bridge and drowned.

Some metres before the actual statue is a small golden cross marking the spot where the saint's body was thrown. Touch the cross and make a wish, it is said to come true within a year and one day!

At the end of Charles Bridge, is the ancient gate to the Lesser Town. This is such a lovely quarter at the base of the Prague castle, crowded with charming buildings, boutique shops, Czech bars and restaurants, churches and quaint side streets that i cant get enough of. At the centre of the square, you will find the primary landmark of Lesser Town - St. Nicholas Church, probably a meeting place for many.

We stopped for a cuppa hot chocolate at a cafe that so happened belongs to one of the owners of Ferrari. And obviously, the waitresses are - hot.

As you head towards Prague Castle, be warned, you will have to climb Nerudova Street, something similar to one of the hill in Tasek - I was totally not prepared for the bloody exhaustive hike. This street was named after a poet and journalist, Jan Neruda, who lived in the House of Suns (No.47). Here, you will find houses that are identified by 'house signs' above their main door instead of house numbers. This street has more painted house signs that any other street in Prague. This one below is the House of Three Little Fiddles, home to a family of violin makers in the 1700s.

The Prague Castle is reputedly the largest medieval castle in Europe, and one of the biggest castles in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. There were just too many students queuing for the castle tour so we spent time instead admiring the splendid view of the city, in and out of St.Vitus Cathedral, wandering about Golden Lane and then getting abit lost.

.Night view of Prague Castle.


St.George's Basilica - the oldest church building within the Prague Castle complex. It now serves as a concert hall.

After a long and tiring day, we treated ourselves to Czech cuisine at Mustek restaurant in Wenceslas Square. Boon got adventurous and went for one of their specialty - the Sword of Charles IV.

If you're a meat person and up for a challenge, I absolutely recommend you to go for the Beefsteak for free Competition. You stand to win a 2.2 pound beef steak for FREE provided you eat according to their rules! If you're gung-ho enough, give the waiter your name, pay a deposit of CZK 3,200 roughly BND$200 (that is the cost of the beef!), beef is cooked to your liking, and you have 30 mins to clean it up. Dont even attempt to cheat because you will be under the watchful eyes of the waiters. By the 40th minute, if you have nothing left in your mouth, you WIN! Free meal but pay for your own drinks.

Here's a list of items that would disqualify you:

You`ll break the rules if

1. you don`t manage to eat your beef steak within 30 minutes
2. you leave your table during the competition
3. your beef steak or any part of it is eaten by a third person
4. you die

This brave American dude took the challenge. We were all cheering him on, but by the time he got to the 3rd piece, he surrendered.

Prague... ahhhh...

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year

Dear Readers,

I'm off to Phuket and Phi Phi Islands today. I have been slacking alot this year, but when i return, i will fill up the rest of my European excapade - Venice and Paris, Macau, HongKong and most definitely the sights of beautiful beaches and people of Thailand.

Here's wishing all of you a blessed New Year!
Happy Holidays!

The 14-hour ride to Prague

When writing these travelogues, i get another chance to reflect on the times and places i've traveled to. Whilst it is a huge challenge to accurately describe the adventures that we've had, I attempt at my very best to put my thoughts into words, so it remains something we can always look back and smile at.

Our journey to Prague, the capital of Czech Republic, was breathtaking! A 14-hour ride from Amsterdam saw us passing through the gorgeous snow-covered peaks and sleepy towns in Germany. I can literally sit and gaze out the window for hours.

We were bunk mates with a Korean, whose name i am unable to recall. He is the epitome of a traveller. His travel buddy pulled out from the trip at the very last minute but he chose to continue his european excapade, covering a new place as and when he's soaked up enough from one. No time restriction, no money constraints, just plain free-and-easy. One day, i say =)

We found this perfect little apartment called Hotel Apartments Wenceslas Square on Vodickova Road. For 50 euro per night, we had a homely unit which will most definitely remind you of colleage days, a fully-equipped kitchen and only walking distance away from the main attractions.

And our intensive walkaton begins.

.Food first.

This restaurant is directly opposite our apartment and serves the BOMB of a pancake, blue cheese + gorgonzola cheese topped with bacon. The other mouth-watering dish we ordered is chicken fillet with basmati rice + more of the blue and gorgonzola goodness. I cannot emphasize how much i enjoyed my creamy rice. mmMMmm.

And now, off to the Old Town Square...

The Powder Tower was built in 1475 and said to be one of the original 13 city entrances to the Old Town. It is said to have gotten its name because it used to house gunpowders.


The Old Town is probably one of my favourite area in Prague. This is the core of Prague's historical centre and is the place where many cultural and political events took place.
The main attraction for most people here is definitely medieval Astronomical Clock, which also has a chronometer and zodiac below it.

As it nears the hour, literally hundreds of people would shuffle and gather infront of the clock waiting for the procession of the 12 apostles. At the strike of the hour, the clock starts to chime bringing even more ambience to the already lively town. Then you will notice two doors above the astronomical dial open. First one out is St.Paul who holds a sword in one hand and a book in another, followed by the rest of the apostles who make their appearance one at a time. There's a legend that the town council gouged out the eyes of the clock-maker after the completion to prevent him from ever producing anything as grand for another city. And he, the only one who understood the mechanics of the clock damaged it before he died. But ofcourse, the real history of this clock is not half as exciting.

Dont be expecting a magical display but instead be ready to be marveled by the square's amazing architecture every step you take.


As we look around us, we realized that the square is circled by cafes, restaurants and shops. And what i really enjoyed here is the many lanes that surrounds it. With Boon's 'amazing' sense of direction, we had quite an adventure weaving our way through the maze.



The Havel Market is one of the oldest markets in the city, dating back to 1232. If you're looking for souvenirs, this is the place to be. You will be able to find anything you could possibly want to buy for anyone back home, under one roof... horrid looking witch puppets, paintings, Czech crystals, wooden toys, Czech honey... and dont ask me why, but we ended up buying these Russian dolls on Karlova street.

The black light theatre is probably something you will want to check out although unfortunately we didnt have time to fit it in. It is unique and said to be invented in Prague. It features a mixture of mime, ballet, modern dance, puppets and light effects that Jess raves about.




This is Wenceslas Square, where we stayed. It actually resembles a shorter version of Champs Elysees in Paris. Around this area, you will find sausage fests on almost every corner.



A 180 view of Old Town Square. I absolutely love the look and feel of this place at night.