There are some places that you will hope to visit 3 times in your life. The first is with friends, when you are younger, bursting with vivacity, free in spirit and able to take in the sights of the city, with all the innocence and rapture of experiencing something new and wonderful, and with the license to do just about anything you like.
The second trip would be with the one you love. Familiar with the city, you find little corners to create the moments that make your heart stop, rediscovering what made you fall in love in the first place. Backed by magnificent vistas, you savour the magic as time slows to match your pace through gardens filled with the blossoms of spring, or as you watch the sun set over the castle on the hill.
The last visit would be in the twilight of your life, where you would take a stroll across the bridge spanning the river in the rays of the fading sun, give thanks for the life you've lived, and for the hand that you hold at your side. As you walk, you would feel the years fall away, and you would smile, feeling a tinge of sadness reminiscing about the friends you've known and loved, and the ones you've lost. Yet through it all, you are blessed because the light of your life is still at your side, to cherish and honour till the end of your days.
Prague, without a doubt, is one of those places.
Stare Mesto (Old Town)
The main town square
This astronomical clock was quite interesting. At every hour, little figurines of the 12 apostles will make an appearance from the two little doors at the top of the picture.
Shots of the rest of Stare Mesto
Mala Strana (lesser town)
St Nicolas' Church
Inside the church
Atop Petrin Hill
This was taken from the highest point in Prague, the top of the radio tower atop Petrin Hill.The sun sets in Mala Strana
Prague Castle at sunset
And at nightAn example of the gardens they have in Prague
One thing I liked about Prague was that their souvenirs were very different from those in other European cities, and they also looked a lot better.
In the shops of Prague
Painted wooden boxes. That small open one there costs 90 euros, or almost 200 SGD.
Glass earrings and pendants
Glassware of all shapes, sizes and colours.
Ain't this the cutest glass angel ever. And because people have been asking me, no, I didn't buy it in the end. It costs 20 SGD. Would you buy something this small for 20 SGD, even if it was cute? Actually, I think I know people who would say yes.
Paintings
Hand carved and painted wooden earrings. No two pairs are the same.
Perfume and cologne bottles
Wind chimes shaped like angels
Crumplers in Prague. Nice, and yet ridiculously expensive. Some things never change. I know they don't exactly count as souvenirs but it's almost impossible to see a Crumpler shop and not go in.
Absinthe not allowed in Singapore? No problem. Make your own.