My First Trip to Prague with Pieter

 On September 22 of 1996, we both went on a 12–day bus tour from the South of The Netherlands to Prague, Budapest and Vienna.

Arrival in Prague, at our Opatov hotel and enjoying the national drink, a Becherovka

Ready for dinner in my Escada outfit from the Outlet.

The Chanel belt bag proved very handy on this trip. Found it at the Jakarta Chanel boutique.

After dinner we went into the city for enjoying Krizikova Fountain.

This musical fountain got built in 1891

That was quite impressive!

Next day we went to view this 14th Century Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady before Týn, with its 80 m (262 ft) tall spires.

Having my Burberry umbrella on the ready... Wearing my Burberry blazer and Chanel loafers over Escada trousers and top (Outlet treasures!)

This Gothic Cathedral is right on the Old Town Square in Prague.

To the right in a cozy café is where we went for a coffee...

Our coffee stop was most welcome!

The vest I wear here is my own sewing creation... 

When I discovered those great Outlets here in the USA, I quit creating my own clothes!

Travel companion Enne de Groot from Texel, The Netherlands was so kind to make a picture of the two of us!

Pieter in his still favorite Burberry shirt, a tax-free find while doing our mushroom consulting work.

After our coffee by 12 noon we went to see the Old Town Hall.

That's where the 12 Apostles come by at those two top windows above the Astronomical Clock known as the Orloj, after their shutters open at the hour.

Old Town Hall got establishes in 1338!

See more here for a 3D virtual tour and Video.

We started our guided walking tour here at the River Moldau

The famous Charles Bridge in Prague that crosses the Vltava River.

Its construction began in 1357 and completed in the 15th Century. 

Replacing the previous Judith Bridge, constructed from 1158–1172, that got damaged by a flood in 1342.

On the Charles Bridge, at the copper embossed image of St. John of Nepomuk, the court priest of King Wenceslas IV. 

He got tortured and drowned in the River Vltava.

  By touching it, you could make a pious wish.

Prague even proves to be beautiful on a very cloudy day...

We enjoyed a knowledgeable guide to walk through the city.

She spoke Dutch and she even picked up that I came from the South, from Limburg; impressive!

It took a few hours, this guided walking tour!

Both of us found in an old alley a cozy restaurant... Pieter looking very happy for finally sharing this fabulous city also with me!

Next day on September 24, we go to the other side of Prague to see the St. Vitus Cathedral and Castle.

Exceptional stained glass work in the St. Vitus Cathedral 

This is Art Nouveau style in the Arch Bishop's chapell

Next day we went on our way to Budapest...

Have any of you been to Prague?

Related links:

Czechian Mushroom Scientist Friend Miroslav Staněk | previous post

Czechian Mushroom Scientist Friends Ivan Jablonský and Antonín Srb | previous post

My 2nd Trip with Husband Pieter to Budapest in FREE Hungary | post about the Budapest part

Our Fabulous Vienna Stay with Strauss Concert by Vienna Hofburg Orchestra | next post...

Czechian Mushroom Scientist Friends Ivan Jablonský and Antonín Srb

 For quite some years Pieter had known Czechian Mushroom Scientists Ivan Jablonský and Antonín Srb.

Both of us met them also at the ISMS Congress, in Braunschweig, Germany where they lectured.

Recycled Casing Soil in the Culture of Agaricus bisporus by Ivan Jablonsky and Antonín Srb.

That was on September 20-26 of 1987, still during the era of Communism for them...

Card from Ivan Jablonsky and Antonín Srb, for wishing us a good 1987

Photo shows Pholiota Adiposa, from the Strophariaceae family and commonly known as Chestnut mushrooms.

Ivan Jablonsky did work at a Dutch mushroom farm of Gert Phillipsen in Ysselsteyn, Limburg and also attended classes at the Dutch Training Centre.

Sadly, Ing. Antonín Srb passed away 25 years ago...

Pieter still has occasionally contact with Ing. Ivan Jablonský

Related links:

Czechian Mushroom Scientist Friend Miroslav Staněk | my previous post also showing that they both lectured

My Most Awkward Moments as Last Minute Substitute Interpreter at ISMS Congress | about the Braunschweig Congress

{XIIth ISMS Braunschweig, Germany Plate of 1987} | previous post by me

HAPPY MUSHROOMS - HOW TO MAKE US HAPPY?

 While working and living in Indonesia for the world's largest mushroom farm, I wrote the following:

HAPPY MUSHROOMS

HOW TO MAKE US HAPPY?

1) Please pick us by the 'one–touch–technique' and don't move us into your hand, bruising and scratching us.

2) Don't pull us off the beds, but with a twisting motion; that hurts less – and please; don't scratch us with your long finger nails.

3) Don't cut us wrong because that looks ugly and we often end up with some soil on stem.

4) Please don't throw us into the tray, because that way we get bruised, but gently put us inside.

5) Don't overfill the trays, so that the ones on the bottom are still happy and not crushed.

6) Please pick us in time. We are like you; we like to be pretty and good looking; not oversized or open.

7) Don't make our babies sick by spreading diseases (contamination) with dirty hands, long hair, wide sleeves, bangles etc.

8) Please don't put us in the sun or wind in front of the shed. We are loosing weight very rapidly and our skin will turn brown and even peels off.

9) Don't smash us into the truck, because a number of us will get wounded – but handle the 'keranjang-keranjang' (trays) gentle.

If you don't forget these points, you can still see us smile, after processing, in the glasses, proud to travel to Green Giant in the U.S.A.

We, Dieng Djaya mushrooms, like to be the happiest and prettiest ones and so become the favourite choice of all people in the U.S.A.

My own design laser cut lacquered brass mushrooms that I sold thousands of at Congresses.

Read an entire CHAPTER about HARVESTING in our newest book that is available WORLDWIDE as Print on Demand, at 40,000+ booksellers

modern mushroom growing 2020 harvesting