This is the main square in Prague... it is dotted with gorgeous houses, intricately weaved within one another... creating magical twisting and turning streets!
Here is a picture of Hotel Europa, the hotel I stayed at on the second night... spoiling myself a little... it was pretty pricey as it was on the main strip... but worth the money, especially on a vacation!
I loved this Puppet Show sign. In Prague, there are a lot of people who just stand in the street all day holding signs for tourist activities (Is there a law against setting it into a pot of cement and leaving it there??).
I took a picture of this key to make two points about the Czech Republic... 1) Old-style Keys are still being used here and there (I find their shapes so stylish), and 2) Locks in Eastern Europe have double padlock... so you have to work twice as hard to open doors.
The entrance to Prague's main parliament building.
The changing of the guard was interesting; I saw the guards smile twice! hmm... guess the training is not what it is in London!
Also, take a look at the morbid statues -- what a way to make people feel welcomed!
I took this picture in part because I loved this little wrought iron gargoyle bird, and also in part because of the artsy angle. The statue in the background adds a nice touch.
The tower in front of the Charles Bridge... it's a hike to walk up to the top... but it's not expensive...
... and the view is worth it!
I have never seen such impressive-looking subway stations as the ones in Prague!
Here is the alley way to a Prague Tea House. They keep the door locked, and rather than knocking on the door, you ring a bell. Once seated in a dim space, they hand you an extensive menu (with dozens of tea leaf types) and a small bell to alert them when you are ready to order. A fascinating and mysterious experience overall!
Another shot of the tea house from outside.
This is a shot taken of the tea infusion table inside the tea house... as you can see, they have quite the variety of herbs and materials!
Here is a picture of an elevator without inside door. What you see here is a part of an outside door from the 1st floor, as the elevator is moving up.
The odd couple... the Fred (Astaire?) and Ginger (Rogers?) building! It is actually a commercial building (and not a tourist site at all, even though folks like me cannot help but to see it with their eyes). A strange organic structure.
Here is a close-up.
Karlstejn, a castle village near Prague... which is focused mostly, if not entirely, on the tourist trade. The castle tour itself is a great experience.
Here is another castle and picturesque village -- Cesky Krumlov!
Here is a picture of the inside streets of Cesky Krumlov... I love the cobble stone streets! (and the bricks are odd... they are fabricated with interesting and unique patterns).
Murals painted on the castle walls, Cesky Krumlov.
3 bears live in the moats of the Cesky Krumlov castle! (They looked pretty domesticated.)
A view of the countryside from the top of the castle tower, Cesky Krumlov.
