Bohemian Paradise

Ay! I'm a full month behind! Oh boy! Time to do some catch up...

Spring came early to Prague this year, and it was no surprise considering what a 'non-winter' we had. Although I would've liked to have seen a few more snowy days in Prague - even just to get some nice photographs - I can't say I was too disappointed with the mild winter. Now it's starting to get warmer outside and even some of the flowers are starting to bloom. And the birds are back! Yah!

At the beginning of March I was invited to spend a weekend up at Patrik's cottage with him, his two daughters Anichka and Tereska, and Petr. Never passing up a chance to spend a weekend somewhere new in the Czech Republic, I eagerly jumped on board. Last year Patrik bought a cottage not too far from Prague, and it's a lovely little place. It's on a hill overlooking a tiny village just outside the boundaries of Cesky Raj - Czech for "Czech (or Bohemian as they seem to call it) Paradise."

And paradise it is indeed!

Cesky Raj is a fairly large protected area, consisting of rich forests, small lakes, a smattering of castles, a whole lotta greenery. But, what the park is most famous for, is its unique geological features. The park is home not only to a few extinct volcanic cones, but also a whole whack of sandstone cliffs and rocks. Eroded by the winds of time, water, frost, and well, just 'regular wind', the sandstone has been shaped into many unusual arrangements - sheer cliffs, towering pillars, curvaceous boulders, hole-in-the-rock windows... Very interesting indeed!

The five of us spent Saturday getting settled into the cottage and relaxing in the area. I played a lot with the girls, went for a walk with Petr to a nearby zamek (a residential castle,) and enjoyed the fresh air.

On Sunday we all went for a full afternoon of hiking in the main area of the park. And what a perfect day to be outside! Warm temps, clear blue skies, and Mr. Golden Sun with us the whole time. The hike took us through the forests, up and down and around several of the cliffs, and offered us breathtaking views of the surrounding lowland countryside. What a great way to usher in spring!

I took quite a few photos that day on our hike. Check 'em out below!

Patrik's cottage

The zamek in the nearby village that Petr and I walked around.

Scotty & The Zamek

The church on the grounds of the zamek.

Part 1 of our photoshoot: "American Smiles"

Part 2: "Serious"

Part 3: "Surprised"

Outside the boundaries of the park they have a list of rules. Many of them were quite amusing! Check out the second-from-the-top rule. It gave me a good laugh! (you may need to click on the photo to enlarge it so you can read the print!)

The family overlooking the countryside atop one of the volcanic cones.

Patrik, Petr, and the girls on our hike.

Looking out from atop the cliffs to the surrounding coutryside beyond the park.

Me with Anichka and Tereska.

A wrong step this way could mean big trouble!

Here you can see some of the cliffs in the forest.

Anichka, like a monkey in the tree.

Portal to nowhere....