Some Bargains in Singapore.

Sleep talking.

At check in counter for flight.

Me: "so, uh, is this a three-four-three?"

SA Staff: looks up from eager typing on keyboard with look of judgement, stating matter-of-fact, "Ah, no. It's a 747."

Pause of impact before continuing, 

"We don't currently have any 343's in our fleet."

Moments pass before realisation.

Me: "I meant, uh, the seating arrangement...."

Attack of the Eyelids,

NO sleep during 13 hour flight. 

Still up at 9pm. Officially awake 27 hours.

Bar falling asleep DURING lunch. 

She's huge.

Backyard.

Beautiful.

Morning snow on my last day. Wonderful.

One Word.

If I could sum up Vienna in one word, it would be Christmasmarkets. 

(In German, this is one word so it counts...) 

They're everywhere and beautiful!

SO FESTIVE!!! 

FYI

Tonight will be the first night where I have slept in the same bed (and the same city!) for more than two nights in countless weeks. 

But then I'm off!

Viennese Sustenance.

Prague Recap.

Waiting in yet another station with a bag full of bizarre food spending all my last Czech crown. Realising I need the toilet afterwards and not having the minuscule crown required to pee? Not great. 

On to the Austrian (capital?), Vienna where apparently the sun will shine bright and the snow will fall lightly. 

A whirlwind number of hours in Prague. Arriving in the dark to a delicious buffet dinner from our hostel before hitting the famed nightlife. Pub after pub began the night where there was dancing on tables, beer on tap that was cheaper than water and ever-circulating shots that changed colours under the lights. And pole dancing in bars? Apparently normal. Who said our tour has no talent? 

Underground bars, covered in cobblestone bricks and filled with rustic arm chairs your grandad would own, a decor we could only appreciate over bellows of laughter, constant chatter and international drinking games that collapsed and fell as the night wore on, much like a number of our group. 

For those that made it to the club (via a bakery with a delicious array of starch-based, stomach lining products, apparently used to being open at 1am) we were greeted with four storeys out of five blaring different music per floor, strobe lights, laser lights, technicolor dance floors all within a dizzying labrinyth of concrete. A maze designed by a toddler ensuring no paths could be followed, no route discovered and the excitement of unknown areas a constant of the night (because the beverages alone weren't enough to keep you on your toes..)

A Sunday night did little to deter us as we danced like it was 1979 (literally, on the second floor with 70's theme tunes) and could not have had a better time. With a family of 40 (minus a couple who were struggling by midnight) our numbers certainly dominated inside. 

As the early hours rolled closer and closer to daylight and the Christmas markets were surely preparing to begin their days, we rode back to the hostel, the cab drivers zooming through the blurred darkness in the dead of the morning. 

Waking a little less alert and with a higher desire to keep the head on the pillow, we soldiered on through cold showers and strange breakfasts to greet a morning Prague on our walking tour. 

Seeing it for the first time in light (natural, rather than the stars or reflections from the 'green fairy' that the absinthe induces) and its beauty was still apparent. 

Heading trough Wencelas Square (correct spelling optional, but the star of the well known Christmas carol) through the Main Street and into the Old Town Square. Dominated by a giant Christmas tree with lights featuring falling snow and never ending Christmas markets, we saw the oldest astronomical clock in the world which still works. Dating back to the 14th century, we arrived in perfect timing to catch it on the hour where it chimes loudly and the skeletons of death make their appearance. Or something significant which created a giant crowd for a very small and unexpected event. 

Pulling our already weary feet forward through charming streets lined with beautiful buildings and into the Jewish Quarter and the oldest Jewish graveyard in the world. Built above ground, there were said to be over 100,000 within the small area as the Jews could not purchase more land at the time instead having to bury bodies on top of each other. And I thought being on a bus with 40 was busy! 

We wove through the streets to the famous bridge which is now closed to all but pedestrians and attracts a Parisian feel with artists, jewellery makers, musicians and puppeteers set up across the stretch. A fantastic atmosphere leads up the hill to the castle and Notre Dame like cathedral. Stone faced guards stand in front of the castle which you can walk through to the stunning cathedral. Much like the Notre Dame, ornate and elaborate and hoisting high ceilings and rose stained windows. 

The view from the top of the hill is probably the best part and finding a spot to stare out at the terra cotta rooftops, stretching for the length of my gaze is a coveted luxury. A breathtaking view and one of my European favourites. Pictures don't suffice so my memory will have to do. 

Pulling myself out of a Prague-drowned stupor, we headed back through the outer streets and back to the centre to admire the churches, the tower and finally, the shops. 

Not yet able to join the European Union (economically) because of their slightly weak currency, a GBP earning customer benefits. And I desperately needed underwear. (It's cheaper than laundry!) 

Weaving through the shops while listening to the baffling language before meeting under the tree (a terrible meeting point which worked surprisingly well. Think Eiffel Tower-like crowds.) Dinner with some of the wonderful people I've been lucky enough to get to know before I part. A non-traditional Greek salad ended my Czech food delights, it was the only thing I could afford on the menu! 

A lovely last walk through town to the metro, the best way to say goodbye to a town that shines brightest at night.