Prague 2013 - Day Two

Get ready for a photo heavy post! Our second day in Prague was full of excitement as we had planned a trip to Zoo Praha. George and I love any kind of animal experience, I think it's because we can mess around with our cameras, see animals, and most excitingly sometimes get to feed something (normally sheep or goats). So Zoo Praha was top of our list.

Rising early we jumped on a tram, and then edged* past groups of children to get the bus the rest of the way to the zoo. It was a beautiful day and many of the animals seemed to be out enjoying the sun.

*pushed

Next stop was the elephant enclosure, and we were lucky enough to see a baby elephant out with the herd. Needless to say we grabbed the best spaces on the viewing platform and didn't leave for quite some time.

We stopped for some yummy dumplings (me) and pigs knee (George) to plan the rest of the afternoon. Although we had spent a good few hours at the zoo, it's so large with so much to see we just had to continue round and see everything, including polar bears!

Otters are my absolutely favourite animal so you get two photos of this playful fellow.

As the afternoon was drawing to a close we made our way back to the hostel to get ready for the evening, as we were going to an absinthe bar.

I have to take responsibility for this choice but in my defence I had tried absinthe before, that my housemate had brought back from her trip to Prague, and it didn't taste too bad; it was just like really strong, burning cough medicine. I'm not sure what was different with the absinthe we tried in the bar but it was the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted (but it looked so pretty).

Photo borrowed from George

I'm afraid it was so bad, that after a few sips we abandoned it and ran to finish the evening with some beer and food to take away the taste.

Prague 2013 - Day One

I've checked through all my 2014 photos and it seems I am up to date so far this year but there was one trip for 2013 that never made it on to this blog. I am about to rectify that as it was my favourite break that year, and possible my favourite European city to visit (so far). For Christmas 2012 my friend George presented me with a Czech phrasebook and invited me to Prague.  Of course I said yes and we booked to go for a week in Spring 2013.

We had choosen to stay in a hostel, which was perfect for us as we didn't plan to be inside much and don't mind sleeping on mattresses on the floor with strangers. There's not much to say about the hostel, it was on the Vltava riverbank so extremely easy to get around the city from and none of our room mates were snorers so pluses all round! Once we'd dropped off our bags we headed straight to the river for some beer and snacks.

Now satisfactorily refueled we continued along the river to Karluv Most, also known as the Charles Bridge. This famous bridge has stood since the 15th century and links the old and new sections of Prague. It's a bit of a tourist spot with lots to see and some wonderful statues to check out. 

A quick downpour of rain sent us to a nearby cafe for dinner followed by a relatively early night to ready ourselves for our big trip the next day...

My own piece of London

Since I moved to London all those years ago I've wanted a big picture or map of London to adorn my walls. A big stamp of my home to show off to visitors. I've seen a few images I liked but never got round to buying one. Recently though I've been walking past the Princes Trust shop on Eldon Street; twice a day going back and forth from work, and a piece in their window kept catching my eye.  Finally I gave in and brought it. 

The map is a creation of Jenni Sparks. The salesperson at Princes Trust told me it took her over a year to draw the original and you can tell, the detail is amazing. Everytime I look at it I spot a little special something else.

What made this print stand out from all the other London based art I've seen over the years, and made me actually make the move and buy it is the tube lines. I love that you can follow all the underground stops, and it adds a nice pop of colour. It also made it a lot easier trying to find my flat, work and all other personal landmarks.

You should definitely check out Jenni's website, (www.jennisparks.com) she has a whole bunch of artwork and not just maps. Now I just need to get mine framed and convince my landlord to let me put nails in the wall to give it the display it deserves!

15. Take in the view from the top of the Shard

For my birthday this weekend Stuart decided to treat me to a trip to the top of the Shard. This is one of the tasks on my challenge this year as well as something I've been wanting for do for sometime.

Since the building was erected it's taken me a while to decide whether or not I like it. There's no denying that it looks like the eye of Sauron should be on the top and it is extremely imposing, taking over the London skyline. However I have to admit it has grown on me and I kinda like it. It's not like the Gherkin, which I love, but as a piece of architecture it is interesting to look at, and since seeing the view I've decided it's even better to look out from. Our tickets to check out the view were for 7pm. As we approached the Shard the sky was a perfect blue without a cloud in sight.

I have been to one of the bars on the 36 floor for a cocktail once so I wasn't sure how different the view was going to be a few (well 30) floors higher up. Needless to say it is even more spectacular particularly on such a clear day.

If there was one problem with our trip (and this is very much an 'oh cry me a river' complaint) it was that the sun was so bright the view across the Southbank was a little difficult to take in without being blinded! The photos below make it look like it was very misty but it was just the haze from the sun.

After taking these photos we headed up to the next level to be greeted with a very welcome gust of fresh air.

Once up here we decided to pose for some obligatory shots in front of the view.

It was an absolutely beautiful evening and made me realise just how much I love London (I very much have a love/hate relationship with the city). I couldn't quite make out my flat but the Thames snaking through the city is so iconic it was wonderful to be able to really take it all in. I'd definitely recommend a trip to the top of the Shard, tickets are expensive so keep an eye out on Groupon or Time Out Offers for 2 for 1 deals, and definitely do not forget your camera.

I'll leave you with a bonus photo. Stuart decided we should get a photo with me without my glasses on, and once I'd removed them promptly told me to look at the view - which without my glasses was a blur of blue, grey and green!