The Castle

I found out that we stayed a few houses away from the police station. I knew when I saw the rows and rows of police car parked outside. Call we dim, but I like to dare you to differentiate the police station, government departments and hospitals in Prague, they all look like shopping centers.

Waking up to the siren next door, face is feverish. If Rain saw it, there will be endless nagging and scolding from eating the patata ( potatoes wedges) yesterday night. So a quick dash to the bathroom, a quick bath, 2 panadols and I ready to go to the castle. The magnificent castle we saw on the night of arrival.

Unfortunately there is no direct transport from our place to the castle. So we took what we thought is the best direct route and stop at the nearest metro Station. I had a stomach discomfort and ask them to wait for me. After business I went to find and them and found the secret garden behind the toilet. This was not part of the plan, but it doesn't hurt to have surprises now and then :)

Its probably some famous garden, but its not in the list of places-to-visit and that is why I called it the Secret Garden. Lucky for us, Secret Garden's back door lead us straight to Marla Strana, which is the district we intended to go in the first place. The entrance to the castle lies in Marla Strana and its up to us to find it.

We almost miss the flight of steps leading up to the castle. There are small shops left and right. It is enough to distract you from the long journey up and before you know it, you are there. The entrance fee is CZ150. The castle itself is span 570m long and 130m wide and is the largest ancient castle in the world. Apparently the royal gems are stored here, but I don't see it. Maybe too rush :P

The first stop, is the St Vitus Cathedral. It created slight confusion because in Cousin Rain's book its known as the Devil's church. It was so grand and magnificent inside, Cousin Rain said she almost tempted to be a Catholic herself. To me, its a manifestation of how powerful and strong is Catholicism and the Pope is like the ruler of the country. Just look at the coffin lid of one of the pope (the one with 3 statues on top). I doubt any of our religious figures are buried and immortalised in such manner. A tour in the Church alone takes up 3 hours. By then its lunch hours. We had lunch at the gardens. I almost felt like royalty.

After lunch its back to the castle, the interior of the castle is very very very...ancient. Its kinda hard to believe the royalties lived and breath here. We wonder here and there and next thing you know 2 hours have past and its 5pm.

Its unfortunate the Toy Museum was closed by the time we reached it. The last stop after the Toy Museum was the Golden Lane. Its a row of shop houses that are sooooo small you really really wonder how these people live there.. This row of houses is really popular is because Franz Kafka lived here for a spell. If you have heard of Gary's new song? My Ka-fu-ka? Ring a bell?

I am told its in relation to Franz Kafka. He was a famous German Language writer in the 1920s. My great grandma was still a girl back then.

The Golden Lane stop ends the Castle Tour and its another step of stairs back down earth.. I mean town. The sun is just setting and I manage to take one of my best dusk shots.

At the foot of the castle we are nearing the famous Charles Bridge, the most famous Bridge in Prague. There we Greek statues along the bridge and there a legend too. It was said if you rub the statue of the guy who was push from this bridge, your wish will be granted. See the gold part? I don't know what's the connection, but no harm in trying right?

Our last dinner in Prague, we decided to indulge ourselves. We deserve a pat on the shoulder for having finish 2 countries successfully with the language barrier all around. If you think people are more helpful to you if you don't know their language, you can keep dreaming but we will revisit this point in Italy later :)
After that we revisit, the Charles Bridge for a night scene of the Castle. And yes, we had to practically dragged her away from the bridge. I wish we could spend more time in Prague..