Radków 2017 Day 3

Third day was the day of the run. So after cheering me on start, Bartek and Wojtek went to Czech to see another rock labirynth often compared to some Lord Of The Rings locations. 

Meanwhile I was running through mountains. 24km with 750m vertical change. I must said that it was much more fun than running on flat. Beautiful views, changes in tempo and style, constant focus on difficult track and less pression for time. I really enjoyed it. Final time 2:49

Nightmare vacation – Rokytnice

We don’t have luck with this area of the world. Last year when Radek went skiing in Harrachov he had to shorten his trip as I was admitted to hospital during my pregnancy with Kamila. But he got to know the area and we knew it was worth revisiting. So we did this year. It was a long-awaited trip for many reasons. Therefore you can imagine my disappointment when it turned out to be utter disaster!
What happened? The very first day we arrived Wojtek got severely ill. So I stayed with him and Kamila while Radek and my sister’s family went skiing. This was the only day we saw the sun! The only day out of an almost week trip! Anyway, we managed to take a couple of photos that day. Have a look and I’ll continue my story afterwards.

Skiing in Rokytnice:

My short walk around:

The next day wasn’t particularly inviting for skiing but we decided to give it a try and it was a good idea because otherwise I wouldn’t have touched the hills at all. The weather was bad, we had to ski in very difficult conditions (thick fog and very little visibility). It was the real fight for survival. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. Being able to spend time with my family, try and push my limits on the hills a bit… and a children-free morning – enough for me to appreciate it.

And a movie from that day:

After that day it was only worse. It wouldn’t stop raining and one after another we got ill. I was by no means in the worst condition and I was unable to get up from the bed for like 2 days. My sister’s husband was in a pretty bad shape too and when Radek started to fill a bit blue, we decided it was high time to go back to Szczecin. Did I mention it wouldn’t stop raining? Anyway, although I do consider this as nightmare vacation, I do want to go back there the next year. In the end, I didn’t get to hike those hills 🙂

Discovering in autumn

This autumn was a good one for us for many reasons. First of all, it was the first autumn of our little Kamila and she made it special for us. Secondly, we went to see Bohemian Switzerland and the weather was great! Also, I started jogging again and I walk with Kamila in the forest almost every day. So lots of time and possibilities for exploration of the beauty of this season.

Czech:

Walking/jogging in Szczecin:

Bohemian Switzerland Day 2: Pravčická brána and Soutěsky

The next day we headed to Pravčická brána – a rock forming an arc – or a gate as it is called. It’s the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe and makes a great impression on every tourist. An XVIII century building is standing right next to it and adds a charm to the place. Except for the inn and the gate, the view around is spectacular. You can see the whole area together with the neighbouring rock formations. Tourists are not discouraged by the fact that you really need to hike to visit this place. There are various ways to reach Pravčická brána, we started from Hrensko, first by a road, then by a forest and up to the inn.

At the gate we made a longer pause (yep – beer pause but not only – you must eat knedliki when you are in Czech – you simply must do it!). Except for trying local cuisine, we also made a walk around as there are many walking paths that give view on the gate and around from different angles. The view was really great!

From there we headed to Soutěsky (a ravine). We were not sure if we would make it on time but decided to head forward and see what the day brings. The path continued through a forest and led to a little town (Luka) where we made an ice cream break (that was Wojtek’s idea). Then we continued through yet another forest (this time flat) that seemed a bit fairy-like with its densely growing trees with naked chunks and lots of green moss. This forest smoothly turned into a ravine and by no means it was the most beautiful place of this sort I have ever seen. I know I sometimes fall into exaggeration but I swear it’s not this time. And when I try to put in words what I saw I don’t find anything that would give justice. I mean, there was nothing special – a stream, small rocks, moss, trees – you can find that in many places. But somehow it all added up and created a special mood of this place. Spectacular!

The route continued up to a place where there was no possibility to build a suspended path, nor to pass with dry feet. And that was another attraction of the place – a boat ride guided by a raftsman. It was great because we just sat down and admired the beauty of the surroundings while the guide told stories about the history of the place as well as gave us various interpretations of the rocks. I liked it a lot.

Oh yeah, I forgot – there was an artificial waterfall. Quite an oddity – won’t you say? Anyway, I enjoyed this day a lot and I have to say, I was super surprised we managed to do this we 2 little children. Endomondo showed us the distance of 22 km. Of course, there’s always some margin of error but still it’s quite a walk. And our kids were so great it was a truly pleasant day!

Bohemian Switzerland Day 1: Tiské stěny

The idea to visit Bohemian Switzerland conceived when I was still pregnant. The pregnancy didn’t go well and for the majority of it I had to stay home (or around) so I was really in the need of changing places when it was all over. Lots of people think it’s impossible or unwise to travel with infants. I’m not one of them and when it turned out that the weather this year couldn’t be better, we booked our stay. Bohemian Switzerland and its mountains are the closest mountains from us – ~3.5h drive. They’re built mainly from sandstone which makes them particularly pretty. They’re not very high, the highest summit in the region is over 700m above the sea level but thanks to the geology they make for great rocks to climb or hike… or simply visit and watch as the sandstone takes on all sorts of crooked and bizarre forms: holes, funnels, pillars – you name it.

On the first day of our 5-day trip we headed to Tisa, from where we hiked up to Tiské stěny (Tyssa Walls). It’s a complex of sandstone rocks that first grow in a forest and then stretch in an arc at the level of ~600m. The place is now a natural reserve which I can totally understand because it is simply an awesome place. Actually, I think it was the best day from the whole trip. The rock formations were truly remarkable and opened up countless possibilities for imagination when it comes to their interpretation. Is it a mushroom or an umbrella? A dwarf or a hag? A rabbit or a peacock? Of course, they have all been already interpreted and if you take a map from tickets office you’ll know the answer right away, but where’s the fun it?

The route was very pleasant. At first we went through rocks and woods (and when I say through rocks I really mean it – the path leads through the cracks in sandstone boulders). Then we got to a restaurant where we made a beer pause. <A side note: throughout the whole trip we made loads of beer pauses. Beer in Czech and Germany is always great!>  <Side note 2: I drank „ne alko” which was still great for me>. Then we moved to a return path that led on a ridge and gave us a beautiful view on Bohemian Switzerland valley.

Skiing in Harrachov

Now when we no longer live close to the mountains we really miss all mountains activities. So when I heard that our friends were going skiing this winter I joined them right away.

We went to the closest skiing resort possible – in the Czech city of Harrachov that is „just” 400 km from Szczecin.

First day after arrival we went to see the city of Harrachov and enjoy the famous Czech beer. We found Harrachov local brewery located in the same building as the glass foundry where you can watch glass craftsmen making beautiful glass while drinking beer and eating „Knedliczki”.

The next morning we headed directly to ski slopes where my friends joined ski school and I checked out my skiing skills to find out that I did not forget anything from the last year. Unfortunately there where just two slopes in Harrachov. Quite few when compering to the Alps resorts but it was OK for the morning skiing and later we went to enjoy more Czech cuisines and beer.  

The next days we spent on skiing and some other tourist activities like visiting Szklarska Poręba, walking up the ski jumping hill, drinking more beer etc. Unfortunately I needed to get home faster than I planned but after all Harrachov was a good trip for a longer weekend. 

And a video:

Lysa Hora hiking (1323 m)

On Sunday we set off for a (longly awaited by me) ascend on Lysa Hora (Bold Mountain, 1323 m). We started our hike from Ostravice village and followed up a red trail up to the top. On our way up we could admire the pastel colours of the autumn intertwined with the green of the conifers.

The pace was very quick (we were guided by a marathon runner, so it was a real challenge to keep up with him), and after only 2 hours (8,5 km) we reached the summit. My first impression: „God, it’s windy”. My second impression: „God, it’s beautiful”.




 On our way back we took a milder but considerably longer route. At the end we passed by a fabulous, slightly dried up lake and a spectacular dame. At this point I was already „a bit” tired as shown in the picture. All in all we did more than 25 km.

Ostrava Tour – miniUni, Vitkovice, Viewing Tower

Saturday was a pretty busy day for us. We started by strolling around but soon a decision was taken considering the itinerary. And so the first pitstop was at Mini Uni – the museum of the miniatures.
I found the exhibition pretty educative and fun, especially when I could shout with content: „I’ve seen that in real”. (Un)fortunately, most of the places are yet to be discovered by me.

 Can you recognise all of them? I couldn’t.

 In case you wonder, the models were built at a 1:25 scale.




Ater miniUni we visited the Vitkovice area. The mood changed noticeably – from light fun to industrial awestruck. Why so? Vitkovice is now a graveyard of what used to be a manufactory power. From coal mining up to steel production – Vitkovice witnessed the whole fabrication chain.

I was thrilled by the magnitude of the place, as well as by the inevitable march of time. See yourself.

No wonder the place is on the list of  European Cultural Heritage.

When we finished a guided tour round the Vitkovice area, we headed to the city squere and the viewing tower (which is situated on top of the city hall). The tower is lightened in a lovely blue colour which made all of us look like Smurfs. I also noticed that my coat would look nicer in violet (somehow the pictures don’t show the violet I got after mixing red coat with a blue light).

Ahoj Ostrava!!!

Since Radek is on a business trip to Ostrava, I took the opportunity to visit him during the weekend.
Obviously, because he had been there already for one week, he took some lovely pictures of the city in the dark. I saw them in my hotel room the night I arrived. It was sort of a foretaste for me. I was supposed to see the real images of the city the very next day. So here it comes, a foretaste for you.

Prague – revisit

Although we had visited Prague just a month earlier, we were not disappointed by the revisit. We had a chance to have a different look on the city – to visit the places we had forgotten, to stroll around not so hecticly end to delight ourselves with the fantastic weather.

We stayed in a very nice hotel in the city centre with a pleasurable view on the roof tops of the city.

When Radek finished his affairs we had the whole afternoon to walk across the city again. Radek was happy because he could take all the photo shots once again with his new camera. We didn’t have any specific aim while walking, First we guided ourselves in the river direction. Beyond no doubt, it’s the prettiest place of the city.

Then we moved across the bridge to the other part of Prague (is it left or right? I’m so bad at directions! Anyway, we crossed the bridges to and fro so I’m unable to track our route with details). We passed by a park with some interesting pieces of arts, peeped over a photo session of the newly weds, waved to some tourists in the ship sailing below on the water, listened to an organgrinder (heh, that’s very old-school, but also very touristic). All of that done unhurriedly. It’s the sense of tranquility I liked the best about that day.

 

Then we continued walking but in a bit more organised manner. I wanted to see the places we hadn’t „checked” during our previous visit. This were the Prague’s synagoge (I wish more buildings were so colourful) and the museum of sex and erotics our friends recommended to us.

As the sun started to lower, we continued wandering aimlessly.  We really were enchanted by this city and we will gladly return there for the third time.

We finished the day with a meal on the Strahov hill with a spectacular view on Prague and walked back to the car.