We wake up this morning and the sun is shining.  Yeah!!  After our home cooked breakfast of eggs, toast and coffee we head off.  Stopping at our front desk we ask about the Hop-On Hop-Off tour.  We are taking the night train to Krakow tomorrow night, so we will have all day tomorrow to fill with activities as well.  We can buy a  48 hour Hop-On/Off ticket for 600 K (Crowns) each (about $68 CAD for both of us).  This includes 3 different lines and a boat trip.  OK.  Sold!

Our first Hop-On is just around the corner from our apartment/hotel.  We head first to Prague Castle which is a few stops away for us.  Just as we are arriving the changing of the guards begin.  This is in the street leading to the inner castle where the ceremony takes place.  We get a pretty great show as they march by us.

Prague Castle is more than just a castle.  It is a whole complex of buildings and according to Wikipedia:

The castle buildings represent virtually every architectural style of the last millennium.

 

They are getting a new roof.  I hope they have saved enough crowns!  Looks like a big job.

 

 

 

Lots of people to see the guards change and lots of selfie sticks poking up over the crowds to get a look at the action.

 

 

 

There is a huge staircase leading back down towards the Charles Bridge.  Named after one of the good and great Czech kings Charles IV.  Interestingly he is succeeded by King Wenceslaus, who wasn’t “a Good King Wenceslaus”.  Again according to Max he liked Wine, Women and Wenceslaus!

 

 

 

 

Now time for some lunch and pivo (beer).  We find this little place.  It even serves “Stewed Salmon”.  How appropriate 🙂

 

 

 

Instead we have Goulash Soup in a bread bowl.  The recipe passed down from the owners grandmother (maybe they all say that)!

 

 

 

We see this weird thing driving down the street.  Four people (looks like they can have 5) peddling like mad and one steerer.  They face each other.  The have a little table in the middle.  It must feel odd peddling and going sideways!  Probably a tour??

 

 

Next – Hop-On the boat.  Very civilized.  However, a bottle of water costs exactly the same as beer.  Not sure which one is wrong?

 

 

Perfect day for a cruise along the Vltava!  We have been waiting for some sunshine and warmth. 🙂

 

 

It is August 21.  The anniversary of the Prague Spring.  In Wenceslaus Square they are gearing up for a party!  Hopefully they have a permit 🙂
In the evening we head back to the river to get some awesome shots of Prague Castle lit up.  Our tour guide Max told us that The Rolling Stones paid to have the lighting installed and for several years of power bills as the Czech government didn’t have the dosh for trivial things like this.  I’m sure it was a great deal for them.  Thousands of people line the river and the Charles Bridge to view it.