Getting from Austria to Mikulov in the Czech Republic and then navigating the town and walk was a true travel experience. Are we having fun yet? After the ballet it was a big kerthump.
Breakfast was two tiny bites of an apple tart and shower water (for me) then off to the train station. Totally overwhelming to get two trains and change to the line where we had booked our tickets that would take us to the Czech Republic. An hour later when we could not work it out, we caught a taxi. That guy had serious road rage for the 3 or 4 kilometres to the connection, but had a smile when we got out.
We had about half an hour before the train arrived, not quite enough time for Richard to find a toilet in the winding poorly directed equivalent of Central.
The train was pleasant enough and we arrived in the Czech Republic - reputed to be absolutely beautiful, with forests and magnificent architecture.
We had to get a train to Breclav, another to Valtice, do an 11k forest walk to Lednice which took us to grand ancient monuments and churches, catch a bus back to Valtice and the another bus or train to Mikulov.
Well......... next train was in 1.5 hours' time but we bought tickets that cost 35 each (we calculated that was $60??) and so we waited. The facilities were non existent except for the 'toi toi' outside the station. The faces and expressions of the ones who availed themselves transcended any language barriers. In the end, I braved the wilds encouraged by texts from Bethany, and ....... it was all that I anticipated. Circumvesuvius and toi toi are now 1 and 2 on my scale of worst toilets. Let's get out of here and find a forest. Maybe a taxi would be better at 12 euros (about $18)....? try to refund tickets - not possible.
Despairing of more pleasant experiences we toted our luggage to a nearby park. We ate 2 Oreos and drank some Austrian water from our bottles and replanned. Options....recheck everything - nearly midday meant walks in idyllic forests was less likely. Check tickets....ummmm that 35 was in Czech Kroner and they actually cost the equivalent of less than $5. Ditch the tickets, get a taxi.
Valtice is a pretty little town and the lady at the information desk allowed us to leave our bags at her office while we set out on the 11k walk. More than an hour later with the assistance of maps, directions and combined experience of nearly a century, we found the start of the walk.
The forest yielded a folly, frogs and mozzies, cyclists and dappled light. The trail became clearer as we went. We could not make the church and next town in the time we had left, so returned to an ice cream and expensive taxi ride to Mikulov.
Glorious town, ancient churches, golden spires, Christ reigning supreme and triumphant over cobbled streets and aged walls. Entranced, we explored the town and savoured the sights, ate dinner to the sound of singing and retired with fireworks outside our windows.
Love the tiny frog!
ReplyDeleteIt was hopping near my feet and I had to avoid it
ReplyDeleteAaaaawww froggy :D
ReplyDeleteMum, I am so proud of you for braving the toi toi!!!! Just a memory now, you see? And you are all clean again. A story to regale us with and gross us out ;)
Wish I was doing the walk with you.
We had an entertaining morning though. Woken at 4:45am by our neighbours asking us to come and look after their daughter while they popped off to hospital to give birth to twins! Their daughter is an absolute delight. We spent a very enjoyable morning together. And we got the wonderful call just before midday telling us that they had welcomed identical twin girls, Kara Zoe and Diane Bethany :) *cry*!!!
I felt anything but proud of myself as I could not hold my breath for the less than a minute that I needed!
ReplyDelete