Moravia
We left Prague in a luxurious rented Mercedes van, which not only was very comfortable for the five of us, but also managed to hold all our embarassingly large quantity of luggage (which, admittedly, was mostly filled with gifts and food items for the Czech family).
We drove due east, to the area of Moravia, up against the mountains near the border with Slovakia. Small towns, old churches, fields with corn, wheat, potatoes, and apples, interspersed with the occasional solar panel farm. Between the solar in the Czech Republic and the geothermal in Iceland, we in the US have a lot to learn about alternative energy.
We drove due east, to the area of Moravia, up against the mountains near the border with Slovakia. Small towns, old churches, fields with corn, wheat, potatoes, and apples, interspersed with the occasional solar panel farm. Between the solar in the Czech Republic and the geothermal in Iceland, we in the US have a lot to learn about alternative energy.
As in Bohemia, our days revolved around family and food. We stayed in the town of Zlin for four days, taking side trips out into the countryside.
Having a delicious meal with relatives of my mom, on her mother's side, Jan and Zdenka. We take a hike from their home to the top of a hill overlooking the city.
Visiting the family's country home in the mountains, meeting more relatives, Roman and his family
The next day, we went to see a cousin of my mom's, Iva, who lives in a tiny town near a huge castle. We visited both. Of course, the food was fabulous, and we were sent home with yummy kolach (plum pastries) that we ate for days!
Notice the sides of the greenhouse, made with hundreds of glass bottles.
Picking cherries in Iva's orchard
Visiting the Helfstein castle in Tyn.
Our last stop was to the top of a mountain, a ski area, where we had the obligatory pastries and coffee while we watched the storm clouds come in.
Next we travel back west to southern Bohemia.
Next we travel back west to southern Bohemia.
