Prague Day 2, Petrin Hill

Friday 16^th August

We had a slow start to the day, and fortunately this fabulous hotel serves breakfast until 11:00am, and til 11:30 on the weekend – very civilised. Needless to say, as with everything at Unitas Hotel, it was fantastic.  Anything you could imagine that might come under the heading of breakfast food was there, including zucchini fritters and apple stuffed pancakes. MMmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

We had intended to do some laundry and were told that a Laundromat was in a shopping centre not too far away, but when we got there, the place was empty, displaying a sign, “Closed due to technical reasons” – very technical, as in no washers or dryers. Not to worry, our man Rick Steves listed a Laundromat in his book on Prague that we borrowed from the hotel library (!) and we made a way to the address, hoping that it was open. Our 3 day transport pass is excellent value. Anyway, we got there and it was open and we were able to do the washing – sounds very mundane doesn’t it? Not at all! It was very social. There are all sorts of people there, chatting, comparing travel stories, swapping names of good and places to go or not to go. We spoke with an American couple from Hawaii, and a New Zealand guy who was in Prague for a break dancing competition and who used to live in Melbourne, working with Silvers Circus. This place also has a guest book which made for a very good read. Lots of Aussie entries, all pretty funny and one very cool guy who wrote “Go Pies!” Excellent!

While our washing was tumbling in the machine, we were going to go for a walk around the block, and got as far as an antiques shop about three stores away. There were thousands of interesting things in the window and we ended up looking around for a while, and bought an intriguing wood print from the 1920’s and two beautiful Bohemia crystal glasses. Both times we have been to the Laundromat, we have ended up having a really fine time!

When we got back to the hotel we rested for a while – it’s exhausting doing the housework – before setting out for a tram ride around the city. The No. 22 takes you up past Prague Castle and out to the suburbs. We turned around and caught the tram back to the other side of Prague. It was a good way to see parts of the city that are where the real Prague people live, as well as seeing some famous land marks along the way.

In the late afternoon we went to Petrin Hill, which is a huge park right next to the river, in the centre of Prague. At the bottom of the hill, near the tram stop, is an amazing monument to The Victims of the Communists Who Survived. There is a series of statues going up the steps, slowly atrophied by the totalitarian regime. They do not die, but slowly disappear. 205486 people were imprisoned, 248 were executed, 4500 died in prison, 327 were shot attempting to cross the border, 170, 938 left the country. These numbers are written in the stone steps. The monument is very sombre and moving.

Petrin Hill is covered with paths, gardens, forested areas, lawns, where the Prague families, couples and groups of people stroll around or loll around. There is a funicular, (which is covered by our transport pass – what a winner it is!) to the top of the hill. There is an observation tower, which is modelled on the Eiffel tower, one fourth its size. Because of its position on the hill, the tower reaches the same elevation as the Eiffel Tower. We bought tickets and headed for the lift, only to be told that the lift was an extra 50crown each, which the ticket seller did not explain. So, instead of queuing up again we walked to the top – 299 steps up, and 299 down. This time the effort was certainly worth it. The views of Prague are sensational. And our few days of relative quiet and NO stairs, must have helped me to rejuvenate, as I felt ok going up and down the steps.

After the tower we needed some refreshments and found a bar half way down the hill and had a drink and dinner – after all the fabulous meals we have had in the past three and half weeks, the best part of this one was the view. But the beer and the Campari help wash down two virtually taste free baguettes as we overlooked the river, the Charles Bridge and Prague as the sun slowly set. Almost perfect!

But what did make it perfect was the twilight entertainment on the bridge. A one man band, a violin duo and a band of: 3 violins, cello and wash board player doing their interpretations of Beatles, Grease (you’re the one that I want) and Elton John, a Queen number and many more – all very energetic and much fun.