Prague Czech Republic to Sydney Australia

Monday 12th December 2022
Well we have woken to snow falling. It must have snowed most of the night as the cars and the footpaths are cpovered i a blanket of snow. It looks so pretty. We have been very lucky to have had snow falls on both of the last two days we have here in Europe. It was lovely to share this experience with Ban and agin in Prague. I love this city and have enjoyed walking its streets in the snow this morning. It was very very cold. Only -5°C this morning. Eekkk!!

After a very big breakfast buffet in the hotel for only an extra 4.50 euro each we head out to explore a little. We head firstly, down to the river where we can only just see Charles Bridge and Prague Castle faintly in the distance. It is so dreary a day, the fog very thick and the snow falling quite significantly. The pathways are quite slippery and there are people everywhere. You would think it was a bright sunny day there are so many people. Apparently from what one of the shop keepers says, the area is filled with tourists from now until Christmas. We didn’t realise this when I was booking the hotel as there didn’t seem to be too much of a shortage. Anyway, we continued down along the river and then walked across the famous Charles Bridge. We should have got up early so we could have seen it with fresh untrodden snow, but that means being up and out by 6am. That was noty to be today. We enjoy a walk across the bridge, I would have liked to go up to Prague Castle and see the entire city covered in snow from above at the lookout at the castle but unfortunately we were time poor today. Although we are frrling very grateful to get to see Prague in the snow at all. It was a lovely morning walking through the streets in the snow, looking at the city in a different light. I will say it again “I feel so lucky”.

We headed back to the hotel by 11.30am, packed up the reest of our bags and checked out of the Hotel att midday. I am really glad I managed to find a hotel with a midday check-out as this meant we could do the final things in our room rather than in the hotel foyer. As we checked out I ordered and Uber and it was there within seven minutes to drive us to the airport. Only 512CZK which works out to about 34AUD. A bargain and so convenient. They picked us up from the door of the hotel and dropped us at the airport International terminal carpark. So easy. It was about a 35min drive.

We went in to the airport, eremoved and stowed some of our clothes in our luggage and joined the line for the checking in. This took about 40 mins,David’s bag had grown to 15kg anfdd mine to 21kg. We need to get lighter. I have started a list for the essential things I need to pack, do you think I will ever learn.I hopw I get another opportunity to find out. We headed through border and baggage control and were at our gate with about 45 mins to spare.

The day has finally arrived for us to come home. We have had an amazing time. We have travelled to Italy, Sicily, Aeolian Islands, Croatia, through Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. To Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and then to Prague. It has been a whirl wind of languages, weather, food, mountains, seas, scenery and cultures. It has been the most amazing 12 weeks. We have been away for 84 days, travelled by plane, car, ferry, bus, train, metro, tram, bicycle and on foot. We have covered enormous distances and we have seen so much that I need to have a holiday to look at my holiday all over again. What an amazing experience. We have been in sunshine, rain, snow, fog and wind. It has been fantastic. We have competed in the surf titles, managed a few medals, huiked some amazing mountains, swum in the sea, hung from cliffs connected to ropes and had one hell of a blast. Thanks to my amazing husband and tour guide David for this most wonderful experience. And I am sure you are also grateful to him for giving you the opportunity to see such amazing places.

We are now on the plane, starting at 4.15pm Prague time, 45mins late as the plane had to be de-iced before take off. We are due to arrive in Sydney at 10.30pm on Tuesday evening. We hope to make it home at some stage in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

After 5.5 hours we arrived late to Dubai. we were escorted and fast-tracked through the airport, in the lift, on the train to the other terminal, through baggage check and we arrived in time to remove some thermals and go to the bathroom before we boarded the train again for the 12.5 hour flight to Sydney. I was lucky to have a spare seat next to me so I could lie down a little, so I have had a good amount of sleep but David had very little. We arrived to Sydney at 10.45pm only 15 mins late, we were fast tracked through bio-security but the late plane was enough for us to miss our airport train and then the Central Coast train at 11.48. We arrived at Central at 11.54pm, only 6 mins in it. Bugger. So after a 54min wait we are now on the 12.48am train. Headed for home. We will make it to Gosford at 2.17am and will catch a CAB home.

A big summary of our travels over the last 12 weeks as per Mr Google – so give or take a little bit for its accuracy.
Plane – I don’t really know, but a long way.
Bus/Train – 1457km
Ferry – 417km
Car – 12,961km
Bike – 19km
Walk/Hike – 578km

What a mammoth effort on my husband’s behalf for the driving as I probably only drove about 1,000km. His comments about driving in the different countries is that the south of Italy and Sicily are another level of madness. After driving there the rest is a piece of cake.

We look forward to seeing you all again very soon. Hugs to you all. Fiona and David.

: The hotel breakfast buffet at Hotel Elite in Prague was amazing.. Cereal, cakes, croissants, traditional cakes..

: ..with yoghurt, stewed fruits, dried fruits, nuts, chia and pepitas..

: ..and hot food, sausages, bacon, scra,mbled eggs, eggs, potato wedges..

: ..and many different salads, I didn’t even try, as I was so full after everything I did eat..

: ..As we left our hotel about 10am for a walk around the white city, we were amazed at how much snow had fallen last night..

: ..when we reached the river we enjoyed the amazing beauty..

: ..the little island in the middle of the river..

: ..see the beautiful buildings in the background of this photo of David beside the river..

: ..the river was very still but the view in the distance is clouded by fog..

: ..a space for two in the pristine snow..

: ..there were quite a few what we think are swamp rats on the waters edge..

: ..a closer view of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, although still clouded in fog..

: ..and even closer but still a silhouette, but we are very happy we have seen it in the snow..

: The tower at the start of the historic Charles Bridge..

: ..as we head across the bridge with the crowds..

: ..the snow is still falling..

: ..some more of my favourite wrought iron filigrees..

: ..looking out to the city at the other end of Charles Bridge..

: ..the buildings as we look up the street are colourful and the facades are beautiful..

: ..as we pass a park/playground with its pristine snow, it looks so beautiful without footprints..

: ..as we head back across the bridge..

: ..time for my hood, it is snowing and also -5°C..

: ..as the snow gets much heavier. What a true delight to get this experience..

: ..look at all the church spires and beautiful buildings in the distance..

: ..and the street performers are still out in the snow, along with the portrait artists and souvenir stalls..

: ..our last look as we walk towards the town..

: ..to the Old Town and the Astronomical Clock just as it chimes..

: ..a look at Old Town Square in the snow..

: ..the rooftops of all the market stalls and buildings are white with snow..

: ..what an amazing place..

: ..well it is 12.05pm and we are waiting for our Uber outside our hotel..

: ..what a shame we had to leave as it appears the fog has lifted. Oh well, no complaints here, we have been so lucky to have this experience..

: ..some lovely buildings and untouched snow as we head out of town..

: ..a very big Christmas tree as we arrive at Prague Airport..

: ..as we walk down the gangway to our plane, there is still some snow on the tarmac..

: ..as we wait our turn to leave..

: ..and then it is our turn to have our wings de-iced. A safety measure in such cold climates. And then we are off at 4.15pm, a little later than scheduled.

: ..as we touch down at Sydney airport, it has been a turbulent flight tonight and we will probably miss our train connection as the flight is running 15mins late. Oh well. An hour wait on Central station at 11.50pm never hurt anyone. We are just grateful there is Another train to get us home.