World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Friday 19 May and Saturday 20 May 2006
Highlights: Cesky Krumlov Castle, Castle Gardens, historic buildings
A very short drive to Cesky Krumlov and I was enjoying this fairytale like small city (around 15,000 people). This city survived WW2 without really any damage.
Thursday 18 May 2006
Highlights: Exploring the Moravsky Kras Caves
Some of my fellow travellers were sore this morning (not very surprising given last night’s fun games), we headed out to Moravsky Kras Caves which feature some great formations. We even had an underground boat ride.
On both days we stopped in a local small Czech pub for a traditional lunch, vegetarians need not come to Czech, however the food is fantastic.
Again I was amazed at how well I got on with 7 people who were strangers just 2 days before. Getting back into Prague late I experience one of the heaviest rain storms I’ve ever be outside for 😦
Wednesday 17 May 2006
Highlights: Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church), hiking a mountain
To mark the 50th day on the road I decided to undertake a 2 day road trip into the country area. I was the only person to get into the trip from my hostel, so taking off with 7 strangers we headed out to the ‘Bone Church’. The Church became famous after a priest returned from Rome with some holy dirt. The rich and elite wanted to be buried at this small church and eventually over 30,000 people were buried.
Due to this they had to dig out older graves. In the 17th century a monk start using the bones to make structures and art inside the church. It is very weird. We then drove the van to Dalecin, a nice small village. Hiking up the local mountain I got to see some great views of the local area. The mountain in winter is used for skiing.
The best part of the day however was at night, the 8 of us had unlimited beer and wine available to us and after a great home cooked dinner (and meeting Roger the local black rabbit) the night got going.
Apparently Canadians play a game called “Bite the Box” very funny game. We also played a few after drinking games and at about 1 am I went to bed in this outback new hostel (14 max people). Probably the best choice I’ve made on this trip.
Monday 15 May and Tuesday 16 May 2006
Highlights: Prague Palace, St Nicks Cathedral
Over the 2 full days in Prague I undertook a walking tour that included visits to Prague Palace and through the city to their historic sites.
Sunday 14 May 2006
Highlights: Border crossing into the Czech Republic, Terezin Small Fortress
Leaving Berlin early I had a long day in the bus but luckily got a seat to myself to more easily relax and enjoy watching the countryside.
Crossing the border I was reminded this was the old Central, communist Europe. We waited 20 minutes before the guards came to check our passports and it took about 40 more minutes to get through. The Czech Republic is part of the EU but you wouldn’t know it.
Saturday 13 May 2006
Highlights: Learning the history of Checkpoint Charlie
I visited Checkpoint Charlie and learned about all the escape attempts and the 100+ people who died. You have to remember that West Berlin was surrounded by East Berlin. East Berlin trains went through the West, but didn’t stop. During the blockade it would have been very difficult to live in West Berlin.
Friday 12 May 2006
Highlights: Berlin Wall, Hilters Bunker, CheckPoint Charlie, Bebelplatz (infamous book burning site), Reichstag Dome
I’m staying in a hostel in the old East Berlin which is actually were the best sightseeing for Berlin actually is, including the giant TV tower the communist created to stop Western broadcasts.
I did a great walking tour; in short we visited or saw: the Berlin Wall, what’s left of it, the Deathstrip, Hitler’s Bunker, Checkpoint Charlie, Memorial for murdered Jews, Bebelplatz – site of booking burning, and the Reichstag Dome – Government headquarters.
There is currently 20% unemployment in Germany and it shows. Tourist help out a lot but the linking of East & West is causing some problems.
Seeing things I had read about, like the Bebelplatz book burning is very moving as is seeing the Berlin wall and reading the stories of those who tried to cross is inspiring but it makes you think about the barriers we put up now in our country.
I finished the day with a Pub Crawl. Beer is actually very cheap in Berlin. I made it to the last pub, number 4, but decided to stop before the club while I could still walk. Beer is usually given to you in 0.5 litres and is about 8% strong. It doesn’t that long until you can barely walk. I met some great Canadians who have all of a sudden started appearing on backpacker circuit to counter balance all the Australians.
Thursday 11 May 2006
Highlights: Visiting an old East-West border crossing
Mostly today was a day travelling and we got caught up by road works (we left Amsterdam at 8 am and arrived in Berlin close to 7 pm). The most interesting thing of the day was stopping at one of the old East-West borders. We went into the old car stop point and we even visited the room were fleeing East Germans never come out from … alive that is. It’s very sobering to remember how many people died because of some artificial point on a map.
I’m experiencing overwhelming emotions at various sites; this one and the Anne Frank House are two such places. The trip has been a very big emotion journey so far, from highs of meeting new friends, the excitement of bungee jumping, to the terror of being robbed and the sadness of visiting sites were people died for no good reason. This trip can be a roller-coaster; some of my fellow travellers are just in it for the fun (i.e. pub crawls etc) which is fine, whereas I’m getting multiple benefits (including fun). I think I’ll be a different person when I return.
You can’t see the hope of people in terrible situations (shanty towns SA), or be robbed by low-lives and not be changed somewhat. On a lighter note I caught up with fellow travellers Belinda, Rob & Jo again for their insights into Berlin just before they leave tomorrow. Have to say BusAbout is a good way to go, you make the choices but we start meeting people as well which is very important in a foreign place and you don’t speak the language.
Wednesday 10 May 2006
Highlights: The Stunning flowers at Keukenhof
Today I did a day trip to see all the blooming flowers, really amazing stuff. To think this is only possible to see 5 weeks a year and I was here! I think I went a little overboard with taking photos but this was just so beautiful with the colours popping out everywhere I looked.
Tuesday 9 May 2006
Highlights: Model Town of Madurodam, International Court of Justice, Amsterdam Red Light District show at the Casa Rosso Erotic Theatre
I decided on a day tour out of the city. First stop for today was Delft a city famous for hand painting pottery which I got to witness. We followed this with a visit to The Hague and I got to see the ‘International Court of Justice‘. The USA Embassy here has very high fences and security but other Embassies don’t have the same level of security.
Nathan's Insights 