The Baltic, Eastern Europe and Spain 2017: Arriving in Prague, the Czech Republic....In a word "WOW"

Travelling by overnight train from Krakow was quite the experience. It was fun but so rocky that I actually took a gravol. Oh my gosh. I would do it again though. We are kinda pooped today....but we are in PRAGUE!

Am I the only one who doesn't remember when Czechoslovakia became two countries; The Czech Republic and Slovakia? A young man shared that with us on another travelling adventure when the topic of Czech came up.

In 1918, after WWI, a politician named three peoples, Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia, one name....Czechoslovakia.

After communism fell in 1989, there was talk of splitting the country of Czechoslovakia. It was called 'The Velvet Divorce.' Even though there was no vote on it by the people....the one became two officially in January 1993.

Look where the taxi dropped us from the train station? Our hostel is right around the corner from the famous Havelska Market. Lots of produce, crafts, and souvenirs. It is open everyday. Loved it. We picked up produce almost everyday to have with our breakfast. Yummo.

They make up these little parcels of mixed fruit to purchase. In Canadian money, it was less than one dollar. I found that in Prague and Krakow, Poland our money went a long ways. Both had their own currency....no euros...but still everything was so affordable.

A delicious dinner out was less than $30. for both of us.

Good to know for those who are putting Prague and/or Krakow on your bucket list.

Below is the Tyn Church that dominates the Old Town Square. In medieval times it was a Catholic Church built in the 14th century.

No photos allowed inside the church. Poop.

Right in the centre of the Old Town Square is a statue memorializing a Czech hero, Jan Hus. He fought against the corrupt Catholic Church and the Austrian Habsburg reigning power.

Unfortunately for his effort he was charged with heresy and was burned at the stake in the year 1415.

His death lead his followers to fight in one of the bloodiest civil wars in Czech history.

Happy LD in Prague. We actually were exhausted by the time we arrived here. Lots of travelling and not great sleeping so we definitely caught up on that here.

Spending 5 days here meant we could sleep in and take our time doing what we wanted and seeing what we wanted on our own schedule.

Czech was occupied by the Germans during WWII, but fortunately did not have the bombings other occupied countries endured. Thus much of the gorgeous buildings and monuments still stand.

LD's new friend.

The very first time I enjoyed this treat was in York, England and they called it a Chimney cake. In Prague we found these kiosks everywhere. Called trdlo or trdelnik, they are a yummy dough wrapped around a stick and cooked on a open wood fire. Rolled in cinnamon and sugar....for a treat we had it filled with ice cream. They are served right off the stick so they are very toasty warm. Delicious.

St. Nicholas Church is a gothic church built in the 17th century.

The interior of St. Nicholas Church is stunning. But interestingly enough, the church is so huge on the outside but probably no more than 100 people could sit in here at one time?

Is it time to eat yet? Always on vacation I am hungry all the time?

Delicious pork on the outdoor rotisserie cooking slowly. A very popular lunch option for locals and tourists. The BBQer just lops off a big chunk and it is served with bread and sauerkraut or potato, cabbage and bacon salad.

We wandered a little farther than we thought we would and look what we saw.

The Powder Tower is over 500 years old. This was the main gate and the only bit of a 14th century wall that protected the city that is left standing. It held the gun powder reserves, thus the name.

When we walked through this gate to the other side you would swear you are on Rodeo Drive....shopping galore. I bought the most excellent black short boots. Love them.

In Canadian dollars about $40. "Start the car"......