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Weather:
80 - Sunny in morning City: Prague, Czech Republic Hotel: Marriott Flora
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Transport: Bus, Metro and Train
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- Events of the Day
- This
would be the adventure day. Agenda was the mountain spa town of
Carlsbad, or Karlvory Vary, located 120 KM west of Prague. Many
would recognize some movie scenes (Bond's Casino Royale and Queen
Lativa's Last Holiday); however, the focus was enjoying a slice of
the 19th century spa town.
- Daily
bus service is only 2 hours in duration and about $12 round trip cost.
Long distance buses start at the main Prague terminal and easilty
accessed via Metro stop Florenc. However, it can be a challenge
to locate the best exit due to endless corridors.
- Carlsbad
is worth the trip - endless 1800s dated buildings lining a river with large
ornate therapy hot springs clinic building (many in need of
restoration). Thankfully, many of the buildings have been
and are being restored to their original grandeur. One striking
difference is the USSR type (monstrosity) hotel and thermal spa complexs
- maybe they can fade away one day.
- Lesson learned was the actual bus stop for the return trip - Never
assumed that the stop used for arrival would be the same for return.
Determined that the correct station was another 10 minutes away.
After running for the 06:00 PM return, it was a failed attempt.
Options were limited since remaining buses were sold out.
Only option was the train.
- The
Carlsbad train station was another 15 minutes away - uphill. It
was another opportunity to step back in time of old Czech maintenance
- from rusted columns to "wavy" train rails. Thankfully arrived
with 10 minutes to spare to purchase tickets for the last return to
Prague. Tickets were only $10 and followed a very long circutunious
course back to Prague - 3.5 hours. The old all compartment train
cars did have old fashioned air conditioning: opening the upper window. The
route was scenic following a river; however, did change to passing a
few old USSR based nuclear plants.
- Arrived
back again in Prague and avoided being stranded in Carlsbad (Not a bad
option). Again late dinner of Italian pizza (Mexican pizza choice was covered
in chorizo, egg, and whole garlic). Time to retire.
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