We set our alarms for 5:30am to catch the early 6:53am train from Berlin HBF to Prague Czechia. We were able to get out of the hotel and drop the key off in the check out box by 6am. We then walked 12 minutes to the Berlin HBF and figured out where our train would be leaving from (platform 11 D-G) from the big screen showing all the arriving and departing trains. We then bought two coffees and two pretzels to eat on the train. 

We  then sat on the platform and waited from our train to arrive. The train arrived early and we boarded. It was a challenge to get to our seats as other tourists were confused about seat numbers and blocked a lot of the wrong seats (two tourists were in our seats and kept telling us to pass….) Eventually everyone found the right spots and the train left on time. 

The train trip was mostly uneventful. We were asked to present our tickets twice. Also, at Dresden a lot more tourists got on board and there was an even worse pile up of people in the aisle trying to get to their seats. We arrived at the Czechia border a little bit late, but only 15 minutes…. Arriving in Praha a little after 11:00am.

We then walked to the Czech train office in hopes that they might help us with rebooking our cancelled train to Nuremburg, but the guy at the desk was very rude and completely unhelpful. We will just have to figure out that train journey on the day of the trip. We then walked through the heart of the old town on the way to our accommodation “High Heaven” . We were able to check in two hours early which is always so appreciated (especially in the rain). The room was like a loft right up on the top floor of an old building in the old town area, filled with natural light from the many sky lights. We paid the 8 euro city tax and dropped our stuff off in the room. 

After a hot tea we set out again to see some of Prague before the rain hit once again. We tried to get potato pancakes from a street vendor, waiting in line for twenty minutes only to be told they had run out when we got to the front of the line. We could order a huge plate of pig though….um, no. 

We took some photos in the main Wenceslas square then I showed Jives the Astrological clock. We then walked towards Charles Bridge when it started to downpour, so we chose a vegan restaurant nearby to have lunch/dinner called “Clear Head”. 

The restaurant was like a lovely fairy garden meets a hippie fever dream (I mean that in a nice way). The lights looked like they were made of potatoes and plants were growing out of them, with lights on the ceiling and a trippy moving starry sky artwork. 

We ordered two of the best meals of our life. I got a traditional Czech dish (svickova) but vegan, it was like Thanksgiving in a bowl. It was like a thick soup of pumpkin or squash with cranberry sauce. There were huge bread dumplings in it that were like stuffing and fake meat patties on the side. Jives  ordered the spinach chimney (spenatovy kominek), a potato base full of spinach and topped with goat cheese. Amazing food! The bill came to 900 Czk with a tip which is about $50 Canadian, but well worth it especially because we hadn’t really been having full meals on this trip thus far, only the vegan sausage and currywurst the night before. 

We then left with the intent of crossing the Charles Bridge, but it started to pour so we retreated to our room to wait out the heavy rain. 

After about an hour we ventured out again, making it to Charles Bridge. There was a lovely vantage point of the bridge just to the right of the bridge that was less touristy. Of course the bridge was as touristy as expected! We meandered across, checking out the many statues and glimpsing the palace up on the hill. 

The gate as you leave the bridge on the far side reminded us a lot of the little town in Romania called Sighisoara. We then walked slowly up the hill towards the palace. The final stretch up to the palace rewarded us with gorgeous views of the terra cotta coloured roof tops down below and the Charles Bridge with the main square in the distance. 

As we were making the final little climb, a french fella eating one of those pastry cones full of chocolate dropped the chocolate all over with white shoes. He was laughing hysterically with his friend. I offered him a napkin and he said “merci” to which I replied “de rien” instinctively (I don’t even think he realized I answered in french). 

We then went to the church within the palace. The church was closed, possibly because it was Sunday, or maybe it was just late. When I visited in 2009 I remember the stained glass being gorgeous! The exterior of the church was gorgeous too, with gargoyles fashioned like different creatures, each fully planking over the edge of the church and spewing the rainwater on passersby. 

It was raining on and off all day… and actually every day in Europe thus far had been rainy… We then walked back down the steep hill towards the river. A man had three pet pigeons you could take photos with, and another man had a rat. No thanks! 

We then stood by the water, as we had a perfect view of the Charles Bridge, when a giant beaver looking fellow swam up! It had a rat tail. Apparently these creatures are an invasive species in Prague and are referred to as giant rats. They were brought to Czechia for their fur and now they are in the wild and have no predators. Sort of creepy looking.. 

We then crossed the water and watched the sun set over the castle and palace in the distance, a beautiful orange and purple! I took a photo for two lovely Spanish speaking ladies.

Back in the room we shared some red wine and then went to sleep.