Day 14: Cesky Krumlov day trip

Let me just start by saying that this day rocked. Not at first... But by noon I was a happy camper. I left the hostel at 6 am because I was super paranoid about missing my 7 am bus. I took a tram to get to the bus station, but you couldn't buy tram tickets on board (hostel dude lied!). Instead, people buy tickets at stations and just keep them, but there's not really a system to check or anything. Once in awhile cops come on board and ask for proof of your ticket, and they fine you if you don't have one. So on my 6 am tram ride I was a little worried about that happening, but luckily it didn't! The bus ride was actually pretty cool, 3 hours riding across the Czech Republic in the morning is really pretty. Lots of farms and hay bails, just like Iowa! The bus itself was really nice too- lots more comfortable than an airplane. Anyway, we were in Cesky Krumlov by about 10:30. I didn't really have any plans for what to do there, so I just started walking. This place was like a medieval town frozen in time. The old town center is surrounded by a river on all sides, and it's kind of in a valley surrounded by tree-covered mountains. It was so beautiful and quiet, and not too many tourists since it's a little bit off the beaten path, so that was nice too.

There were still SOME tourists, though:














I tried a trdelnik, which is a doughy pastry brushed with butter, sugar, and almonds, and then baked over fire. Pretty delicious!





Next I wandered around the river, where lots of people were canoeing. It was a perfect day for it, and I regretted not having my swimsuit with me (especially because the sailor dude looked like he was having so much fun)!

















The main attraction is a big pastel painted castle in the middle of town, so I went there next.








Once I got up to the castle, I found a really cool little terrace with drinks, snacks, and spectacular views.











I got a lemonade and hung up there awhile and enjoyed the view, but I HAVE to note that this was the only place in the Czech Republic where I found kolaches!


From the terrace, I made my way a little higher up and went to the beautiful castle gardens, the royal theater, and a huge pond.









































I'm having a really hard time deciding which photos to post because there are just SO many pretty ones! After the gardens and pond and whatnot, I walked to the actual castle. I did a little tour of the museum there, and it didn't take long. The highlight (or creepiest part, at least) was the skeleton of a saint they have on display. Lil bit weird.





























After the residential part of the castle, I went up into the huge tower. As always, tons of stairs = stellar views!

















So I know it might not look like it, but I walked around Cesky Krumlov for 9 hours. By the end of the day I was beat, and a little sunburned. The bus ride back went well because I slept through the whole thing... Then I got some dinner the hostel, packed up my things, and went to bed, ready to head to Munich on a morning train. I loved Cesky Krumlov!

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