Red Manor

The original plan for our only Saturday in the Czech Republic was to hit up three major sites in the countryside: the tiny medieval town, the castle in Cesky Krumlov and finally, the small red castle in the pond. But upon leaving our second stop, the sun was setting fairly quickly and we all agreed that heading straight back to Prague wouldn't be the end of the world. When we heard that, Gina, Dave and I promptly fell asleep. However, an hour later I awoke while the 9 passenger van was making a rather abrupt u-turn. I leaned up towards Chris in the seat in front of me and asked if we were lost. Chris looked a little amused as he answered that no, we're instead heading to the final location after all. In minutes we were on very rough back country roads, Gina and I literally bouncing off the seat at time and laughing our heads off.

Worth. Every. Bounce. 

We arrived just as the sun dipped below the horizon and all just stood there admiring the beauty. 

Do you see that light on in the window to the right? Someone lives here to keep up the castle and sort of protect it for when visitors arrive to see it in all its glory. Ummm I did not know that there were such jobs in the world. Are there any such jobs in Rochester...? Can someone build a castle there and let me move in to take care of it? 

After we left we had another long bumpy ride followed by clear and smooth highways, none of which seemed to lead back to the city so we spent another 3 hours in the van. Honestly though, even after six-plus hours of being together in such a tigh space, the ride itself was one of my favorite parts of the trip. That's saying a lot when the day included two castles.

Mini marathon update

For those of you without Facebook or Instagram; here is a small update with a picture:

What you see is the before and after of the race today. I ended up placing as 4th woman and 196/1800 or so overall with a time of 3:21:57 which qualifies me for next years Boston Marathon! That's all for now though, story and a few more pictures, all compliments of Chris, to come later this week. See you back here tomorrow, most likely later than usual my time, with the last two Prague posts! 

One last thing: THANK YOU everyone who cheered me on before and after the race with lovely words, texts and "likes" I love you all :)

Český Krumlov III

The sun was just beginning to set as the walk to the gardens began.

Can we live here? (Buuut move it to upstate New York, obviously)

Breathtaking.

There was also a photo of Chris and I taken like this. I'm dying to see it. 

This is a dilapidated stage, not just a run down building. I'm standing on the revolving seating that allows the audience to either face this stage or the wide lawn opposite. I would love to watch a play in this setting.

We're almost finished with the Czech Republic and Prague. Just a few more posts until we start anew with the adventures of four Maloneys! I hope everyone has a lovely weekend coming up. I'm headed to Brussels Sunday with a brand new head cold in tow and all the courage I can muster to try and qualify for the Boston Marathon. I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Update on Monday. Or maybe Sunday if the results are favorable!

Český Krumlov II

Okay, here is comes...the photos you're not allowed to take. Do you think they can come and yell at me now that I've left the country? As the rest of our group can vouch for me, I was ultra conservative with the amount of photos I took. I mean, for goodness sake, there was a carriage in gilded gold. A golden carriage! And the chapel as you first walk in? Beautiful pink marble everywhere. I almost feel bad there are so few pictures. My jaw dropped in here more than once. 

This is the grand ballroom, I could just imagine the swirling couples as you walk into the room. The walls the entire way around the room are painted and this guy below was my favorite part. The mirrors all around the room are real...including the one he's peering into.

And with that, I stopped being sneaky and sat back with the rest for the hour long tour.

Český Krumlov I

After the small farm town in the middle of nowhere, we traveled just a short thirty minutes to Český Krumlov and its beautiful castle! We happened to be there in time for the late afternoon golden hour. Eight of us journeyed from Prague to this town and the 13th century castle. 

They've been keeping bears on the premises for centuries and that hasn't changed. 

This is the castle in its entirety. It evolved over the centuries with Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance features, a mixed mash that comes together beautifully inside. We stopped at this panoramic view for awhile and posed...everyone got in on it! 

Panoraaammmmaaa... these two are hilarious.

Gina is too!

A few interior views coming tomorrow...shhh. They may or may have not been allowed. Kelly strikes again, sneak attack style.

Welcome to Holašovice

This is a small town in the countryside of the Czech Republic that is a protected UNESCO historical site. The first written record of its existence is from 1292. What really hit me about the site was the story of how it barely survived when the plague ravaged Bohemia in 1521, (this region of the country). From the entire village there were only two survivors. That story breaks my heart. New settlers from Germany were brought into the town to keep it going and so the descendants were predominantly German for many years to come. Now, on to the pictures.

Yes, people do still live here. And hunt here, apparently.

Tomorrow we are off to Český Krumlov, another gem from our countryside tour.