Hurray! We’re going back to Croatia. Back to the sea!

However… I have to admit it is with more than a slight tinge of sadness that I leave the Czech Republic. This beautiful little country has captured my heart, and let’s just say that if the Oldies ever consider coming here again, I won’t object so strongly next time. In fact, I won’t object at all.

It is a country full of surprises, full of hidden treasures. Lots of things that add up to a wonderful experience on so many levels. Here are just a few more observations from this tough old bird:

The Czechs are friendly, smiley people who often went out of their way to help the Oldies (and boy, do they need help!). I made my fair share of friends here too. Here are a few more of my Czech mates:

      

                       

The Czech Republic passes the ‘Seamus toilet test’ with flying colours. You may not consider it important, but I reckon that you can tell a lot about a nation from the state of its public toilets. I pride myself on being something of an expert. Don’t forget that I spent five years living in a loo!

In spite of (or because of?) the fact that there are very few motorways in the Czech Republic, the roads are excellent. Her Ladyship, the navigator (or as I prefer to call her, the ‘nag-ivator’), instead of keeping us on the roads marked red on the map, often sent us onto yellow or even white roads by mistake. These were surprisingly good which is just as well, especially when we had that great big caravan in tow.

The climate is harsh enough, but of course that means that the country is lush and green and there is a proper winter season. We checked out the ski slopes in Kvilda in the Bohemian Forest where Her Ladyship drooled over this Pistenbully. Kvilda  is at an altitude of a mere 1,100m (barely a bump by Austrian standards), but can boast the coldest temperature in the Czech Republic ever recorded: -41.8°C. Our coldest night on the campsite in the ‘spa triangle’ was 3°C. In mid-August. Brrr! Don’t come here expecting a sun holiday. Just pack your woollies and raingear and come anyway. It’s worth it.

Skiing I’ve already mentioned. This country is also a hill-walker’s and cyclist’s paradise. Miles and miles of marked walking and cycling routes (including, of course the EuroVelo route/EuroVelo 13, also known as the Iron Curtain Trail). I was well impressed with these bicycle trailers on the public buses. Great idea!

Culture, history, art, architecture en masse. My poor little birdbrain is still spinning from all we saw and experienced, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. Considering that the communist era only came to an end in 1989, I was astounded at how much has already been restored. I’ve never seen so many new roofs in my life – and that’s me talking from a bird’s eye view. Of course, there is still a lot to be done and I’m sure that some of it will never be restored to its former glory. But the Czech Republic puts some other countries to shame – countries that had few or none of the challenges it had – from the point of view of conserving its heritage.

Did I already mention the beer? Oh, I did, didn’t I? Once or twice. But look at this: beer and a spa, all rolled into one. What’s not to like about that?

I think I can forgive the Czech Republic for not having a coastline.

I’ll be back!