Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Aimez-vous Brahms?


Brahms' Symphony No. 3 in F Major. Op.90 3rd Movement

Enjoy!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Winter in Prague

I went to Prague on the third week of January. I flew via Swiss Air and was in Zurich for a short transit before flying to Prague. I have heard fascinating reviews from my friends who have been to Prague. Therefore I was hoping the expectation gap wouldn't be astronomical. 

Upon reaching Prague, my chauffeur from Hilton picked me up and we headed to the hotel. He was holding a signboard that read, "Mrs. Lim". I saw the board and I guessed it must have meant me. How true. It was indeed for me. I laughed when I saw the signboard from near and my lovely chauffeur asked if I was Mrs. We both laughed when I told him I'm still a Miss. Ah.. I'm used to being addressed as Mrs. Lim by airlines and hotels.

Here are some snippets of my wonderful weekend in Prague:

The area at Prague Castle

Prague castle

City of Prague from Prague Castle


I was at Prague Castle before noon, and I saw people started to queue up for something. I had no idea at that time what they were queuing up for. But since I was also with them and infront... I thought it would be wiser for me to wait a little and see what happens. At noon, the guards and band came out and then I knew it was time for the Changing of Guards.

Short videos of the Changing of Guards:




A few snapshots of the guards:



After the Changing of Guards ended, I bought myself a ticket for the castle. I opted for the short visit ticket and with student discount, it's CZK 125.

St. Vitus Cathedral

The author and the the interior of St. Vitus Cathedral

More of St. Vitus Cathedral:

St. Vitus Cathedral.

I went to the entrance of the clock tower of St. Vitus Cathedral. I paid the entrance fee to climb the clock tower and received a gold coin for it. It was 287 steps all the way up to the tower. Then it was another 287 steps down. What an exercise!

When I got up to the tower, it was snowing! How lovely! I can never forget the amazing experience and atmosphere. As I was the only one up there at that time, panting and catching my breath after climbing up 287 steps... there I was looking down at the city of Prague, with a quiet atmosphere and what better to compliment it with snow?

So romantic. Me, my camera, snow and the city of Prague...

In summer it would be a totally different view and atmosphere... :)

St. George's Basilica, also known as Bazilika svatého Jiří


All Saints Church

Let it snoooow, let it snoooow!

I got my wish... a white Christmas!

I took a cab down to the Old Town Square for lunch.

Here are some snippets of the Old Town Square:


Astronomical Clock:


Overall, my trip to Prague was wonderful. The expectation gap wasn't there at all. It lived up to the hype.  I would love to go back to Prague sometime in the future :)