Last week Karin returned from a garden centre full of ideas for our apartment planting boxes. She was impressed with how large and organised the place was while I was amazed at her photos of the huge selection within the urban setting. It does have a restaurant and quality gift shop so surely rates as a tourist destination. More at Zahradnictví Chládek
Yesterday we felt like tourists with limited time to see so many sites before moving on again. Over the past few weeks we have been frustrated because there have been several events and concerts we missed due to not knowing about them in time to get tickets. So we have been busy researching upcoming possibilities. Suddenly an available concert popped up on a day we already had other plans so . . .
We set out for a light lunch at Galerie Le Court. Karin had gone here last week with a friend and wanted to show it to me. Very cosy atmosphere in both courtyard and inner room; very interesting art on display–erotic nature perhaps more suitable for evening then noon; good food and deserts; but poor service due to only one person doing everything for too many customers.
Then on to exhibition due to end this month called Faces of Courageous. It is first time display of newly discovered photographs of WW II parachutists who assassinated Nazi leader, Reinhard Heydrich, and other sabotage behind enemy lines. This was a major local event in WWII which we have followed. I assume some of these photos will go on permanent display at their museum on the subject in the crypt of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral (which is Orthodox by the way).
This exhibition was in a wing of the Prague Castle that we had never been in before and the entrance was off a part of the gardens we had not seen before.
We got back home about 5 P.M. for a rest and early dinner before walking to the Baptist Church on Vinohradska that we had walked by a gazillion times but never been in before. The facade looks like an apartment house with a decorated door; which it is. The actual church is situated in the interior courtyard of the block. A pleasant setting for a wonderful string orchestra concert that cost only $5 admission for the two of us. The music and the price must have appealed to pensioners; there was nearly a full house of several hundred people and, not counting the orchestra, maybe 10 people under 60 years old.
For the fifth event of the day we stopped nearby for a drink at the newly opened Beer Geek pub. We and maybe two others were the only patrons over 30 in the mostly full, modern space with flat screen menu of 30 beers on tap. I had one that I thought tasted like barbecue and heard described as bacon tasting. Karin had an Indian Pale Ale and decided she should stick to lagers. I look forward to trying their array of stouts. This too was in a spot we had never been in. When we lived in the same block the space was occupied by an all night bar. At the time I was amazed that we shared the same courtyard but never heard any late night noise.
So the moral of this story is whether you come to Prague for a day or for a year, it is easy to keep busy.
Photos by Karin except for last from Beer Geek Facebook
As long term travelers we have learned to mix up our days of intensive activity with a few slow days. This rebuilds both our stamina and our enthusiasm. In Prague most Sundays are easy going both because many shops and cafe’s are closed and we try to avoid the extra busy tourist centers.
This last Sunday we wanted to take advantage of a free cake offer at the Costa Coffee at Karlovo namesti so I looked over the map to see what was near there that we had not seen lately. The Charles University Botanical Garden jumped out at me as a big green space surrounded by buildings. We had been in their green houses several times but had only seen a small portion of the outside gardens because we usually visited in the winter.
Both Karin and I had our expectations exceeded by the scope and beauty of the space. I am not that much into gardens but the tremendous variety in species was highly interesting. A large number of plants, shrubs and trees had descriptive signs, though few words in English, but also a large number had no signs. Perhaps the highlight for both of us was the Geology section because the explanations were in 
English as well as Czech.
As long as I have known Karin–a whole lotta years–she has collected seed pods. This day she was in hog heaven as the ground was covered with collectible items. All in all we had an excellent adventure walking up, down and around along the many paths.
To top it off the free cake–chocolate tort with pistachios and other stuff– at Costa Coffee was delicious. I am not a fan of their coffee or prices but Karin likes the atmosphere and they always seem to have the best locations.
So what is your favourite way to spend a slow Sunday?
Photos by Karin
While the weather is sunny and dry we have the priority of visiting outdoor sites that are closed in the winter. Last week we had a small beer at the Beer Garden in Riegrovy Park, a short walk from our home. I won’t write about it now because it was quiet, just after opening for the day.
Then we visited an entirely different kind of garden. Vrtbovska is a baroque Italian style terrace garden on the slopes of Petrin Hill. It was quite interesting but I especially enjoyed the view over the rooftops from its upper end.
To see the whole garden and buildings through Karin’s eyes here is the link to her photo album: Vrtbovska Zharada
The garden is at Karmelitska 25 just around the corner from Mala Strana nameste. There is a modest entry fee.