Prague

Where am I?

On the Charles Bridge in Prague.

Took an overnight trip from Nuremburg.  Here's the view looking from the Charles Bridge.

These penguins are the lights that help guide boats along the river.  Cute.

Looking up Wenceslas Square (or more like big boulevard).  This is the site of much of the 1989 Velvet Revolution.

Lots of funky art....

In old town, we all watched the Euro 2012 game on the big screen.  They showed Spain/Croatia.  I had to watch Italy beat Ireland in an....Irish bar.

An astronomical clock....

...that actually is functioning.  I was in Prague on the 19th of June!

One fascinating site was the multi-synagogue/museum complex that told the history of Jews in Prague.  Here's the "Spanish" (because of the style of architecture) synagogue.

The only pictures one can take is in the cemetery.

Prague was beautiful, but the fact that I was a bit nonplussed by the sites indicates to me that I'm ready to move on from Europe.  I'm ready for new sites and types of experiences.  Bring on...China and Asia!

Berchtesgaden

Back in 1986, when I was finishing up my SCA program here in Germany, our group did a last hike in the region of Berchtesgaden, right outside of Salzburg, Austria.  I don't remember many of the details, but I do remember it being a hut-to-hut hike and that it was straight out of "The Sound of Music" in terms of mountain scenery.  I've always wanted to go back, so as a wish fulfillment, Uli drove down from Nurnberg and met me at the Salzburg airport.  We camped overnight and then the next morning drove to Berchtesgaden to do a day hike.

At the north end of the Konigsee, we hopped out a boat.

The view looking south down the Konigsee.  Since it is only fed by rainwater and snowmelt, the water is STILL drinkable!

If you ever take this boat ride, there is this amazing place along the lake where you can hear a PERFECT echo.  The boat driver played his trumpet and we heard his song twice.  And, that tree lined ridge on the right side.....we climbed that.

Approaching St. Bartolomea, right at the base of the Watzmann, the 3rd highest peak in Germany.

The view as we climbed, and yes, it did seem sometimes like we were walking off the edge of the mountain.

At the top, a hut for rest and refreshments.

"Come, Stay, Eat, Drink, Sleep or Do Nothing"

Uli with a beer, myself with a fanta/coke concoction and both of us with....

Fresh buttermilk with fresh raspberries.  PHENOMENAL.

And the descent, down to the boat launch.

Man, I am SHORT compared to Uli.