Fistful of Koruna and a beer train

16/5/2016

Today I'm crossing another country off the list; this time I'm heading to the Czech Republic. This country was created out of the prior Czechoslovakia which itself formed out of the collapse of Austro-Hungarian Empire post WW1. Most notably it was named "Bohemia" in the 9th century and this is where the "bohemian" lifestyle takes its name from. Incorrectly. The french named the poor, artistic Romani Gypsies "Bohemians" mistakenly believing this is where they were from.

But before I cross the border...more amazing forest riding!

And now the border...

Two things became immediately apparent at this point; one - Czech Republic whilst being in the EuroZone doesnt use Euro, two the Germans spend a lot of time and money building great quality roads.

After a slightly hectic ride in (I also don't have data coverage here!) I arrived at my car park. Parking is an absolute premium in Prague and the car space I rented was similar to the cost of the apartment I had.

Next day I headed across the river which runs around the town to the National Technical Museum; dedicated to preserving technical artifacts from their history.

This is one of the first cars imported, it came from France and was owned by a wealthy textiles factory owner (1902).

This is one of (the?) oldest preserved Bugatti's in the world, previously owned by a Czech prince then the son of the Czech Motorists club it has barely been used (1910).

They also have a huge collection of homegrown canvas/leather covered cars which are essentially three wheeled motorised push bikes.

They also have a collection of 1950s racing cars; more Bugattis!

One level up is a hanging display of Czech made of used planes; the first of these were homemade in people's garages. This is a daimler car engine inside a frame which is hand made; it flew for 120km / 70 minutes in 1911.

Other concepts were less successful.

Other unsuccessful vehicles included a prototype scooter; it didnt ever make production.

A motorcycle named Satan.

And everything made by the Jawa company.

After scouring many other sections of the museum (Czech lands have a rich iron ore content and have been mined for as long as records can be found) I was thirsty and the only way to satisfy that thirst was with a beer museum!

People have been making beer (in different forms) for a very long time; often because it was a way to guarantee the water was boiled and therefore clean.

The most common type of beer by consumption today is Lager (german 'to store') which requires being brewed in a very cold environment (think a cave in winter).

However the more common by variety is Ale; which can be made at much higher temperatures and is brewed the world over in enormously different styles.

However the half hour tour (300 crowns / $18) was over quickly and I had to settle with my 4 taster beers in the cellar of the museum - a pub set up to be WW2 era.