GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN

How those bubbles tickle the nose!

We’ve always taken the view that a happy traveller is a flexible one.  If you live by that mantra the inevitable hiccups that arise during the journey can be taken in stride.  There are exceptions to test that rule though, like missing bags.

Our journey to Prague had started out in pure luxury. Thanks to some good friends and colleagues we were whisked to the airport in a beautiful Mercedes. Smooth!

And then the flight, courtesy of Air France.  Thanks to a seat sale we settled ourselves in 3A and 3B for the flight to Paris.  Being veterans of guests housed at the back of the plane more times than not, we really enjoyed the food, service and comfort – absolutely exceptional and provided with such style. 

Greeted with champagne, the bubbles continued to flow throughout the early part of the flight, served with imaginative appetizers - my favourite the sesame coated ahi tuna.  The bon vivant continued through a painstaking meal service and into breakfast the next morning.  A lovely experience throughout, and of course, being first off the plane.

That part about needing to be flexible, well at Charles de Gaulle reality kicked in.  On arrival a security check, a long walk, a bus ride, stairs, passport control, another security check and then finally, the boarding gate for the connecting flight on Czech Airlines to Prague.  We had a tight connection and our anxiety had been allayed somewhat because the inbound flight was early and the connecting plane was nowhere to be seen. 

Eventually a post modern 737 rolled up to the gate.  Because of our Business Class “status” on clearly what was a commuter plane we had been assigned the front seats of an aircraft that had seen better days.  Passengers trundled down the aisle eyeing us suspiciously because we were occupying an entire row of seats each and courting drinks!

Hidden away at the foot of Prague Castle,
The Golden Well.  Pure magic.  

It was a short flight but the service would put our national carrier to shame. Our battered tray tables were raised by incredibly courteous staff, covered with linen, cutlery and glassware.  No plastic for us as roast beef sandwiches appeared along with a flight attendant who wanted to make sure we were watered and fed to the maximum.  

We tried a beer and at out server’s insistence, a shot of the local herb liquor Becherovka.  He was disappointed that we couldn’t manage a second helping.  We knew the sun was over the yardarm somewhere, but we declined.  The local tipple packed a serious punch.

View from our breakfast venue at The Golden Well

An hour and a half later we arrived in Prague but one of our checked bags had not.  Not feeling so happy or flexible at this point we filed a claim and met our driver who whisked us off to our home for the next four days, the Golden Well Hotel located at the foot of Prague Castle.

We cannot say enough about the hotel and its staff.  After a warm welcome from Sasha the bellman and reception staff, the missing bag problem was taken into hand. Beyond tired we had that nagging feeling something bad had happened to the bag languishing in Paris.  And of course, it had to be the bag with our dress up clothes for the palatial evening that had been promised in Vienna. What no jacket, no tie?  And madam, sandals?  Are you serious?

All set for the journey from Prague to Budapest 

Stay flexible kids. The next morning the bag that had gone walkabout arrived.  Cinders, you will go to the Ball after all!  Negative thoughts banished we set out to spend a wonderful few days in Prague, including a day out to Cesky Krumlov.

Four days later we ventured to the main railway station for the 7 hour train trip to Budapest.  The railway station was awash with passengers and luggage, all eyeing the departures board for their particular train’s assigned platform.  A busy place but our anxiety about the organized chaos was unfounded.  

A gruff porter was actually very helpful and we boarded the Euro City Slovan service to Budapest with relative ease.

That will put hairs on your chest ....

An hour into the journey we sipped our espresso served by an attendant at our seats, along with newspapers and water.  

We watched the countryside whisk by, the train smooth as silk on the rails.  

The thought of record low water levels on the Danube and whether our riverboat would be able to fulfill its itinerary a problem for another day.