Prague and Central Europe 2017: To Bratislava

Sadly left Prague today. Belinda and Pam thought they may be off to Greece together (alone!!!) with Frank and I driving to Bratislava in Slovakia. Dreams don’t always come true. In this case Pam and I drove to Bratislava; with Frank, Belinda and the boys off to Greece for the week. We will all be back in Prague Friday to debrief.

The drive to Bratislava was all freeway, no problems. Found the accommodation no problem at about 1.40. We are right across the road from the Crown Plaza – we are not the Crown Plaza – we’re close, just geographically. I ‘went in’ (it’s a maze – it’s also amazing I found reception), There was an overweight Slovak chewing gum. Following a generally friendly response from most hosts I was surprised at his belligerence. I spoke to the cleaners and they were leaving. He said the rooms not ready, will be at 2pm. I stacked our suitcase with a heap of others in the foyer, went back and reported to Pam, parked the car then went back to the lobby to wait (the 15 minutes) till 2pm. A crowd had gathered by 2 and we were first cab off the rank, we had to leave reception, around the corner, through an interesting door and in to the smelliest foyer in the world, I went up in the smallest and oldest lift in Central Europe (just enough room for me and one suitcase), Pam used the stairs and I met her on the second floor. The room is not too bad – big and clean – somewhat surprised!

We decided to have a walk in to town. Not far into the old centre and down to the Blue Danube. Perhaps a little brown today. There were a number of cruise boats moored. We couldn’t get on the river and it all closes down on Mondays so we’ll have to wait to get a day cruise. We wandered around till about 5pm, it had been cloudy all afternoon and when it started to rain we decided we’d have a drink. Sat under a footpath shade area. Pam decided it wasn’t going to stop raining so she went and bought an umbrella. That’s when the lightning and thunder started. We were sitting under a steel structure on the footpath as electricity was tracing through the sky. Pam was willing to walk home; unfortunately she’d just bought the perfect lightning conductor in a steel umbrella with 10 steel supports. I declined the offer and stayed at the pub, Pam joined me.

We had a couple of drinks and had tea. The storm blew over, the sun came out again for a moment before sunset and we walked home unscathed. Got home about 7.30 and maybe, possibly, it’s a chance we’ll have some plans for tomorrow in the morning.