Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Vienna To Czech republic hiking:

July 14- 25 2017
Covering 90 some miles legwork hiking, exploring things etc.
It was fun mixed group and REI did great job.

As it has been a trend, things always happen at the last minute and it works out better. Probably too much time into planning and thinking is for some set of people or needed where its required like U have to have permits and all, but not for us. There goes too much waiting period. N'ways have done both kind of things but always in favor of last minute quick things.

This was first time exploring new country, first time solo kind travel for hiking and exploring other things (my other half had 3 weeks break in India ) Was in kind of dilemma whether to do this one or the other but all other logistics came together at last minute and decided to do this.



This was the first time traveling in this region. Navigating and traveling these days is way much easier given all the technology available at hands.Language can hardly become a barrier and if one has done train travel in Bombay, one can travel in any parts of other country easily. It's kind of cool experiment not to use technology and interact with locals for information, they are really helpful and one comes to know more. My cab driver in Vienna was kid doing summer job with his mom being teacher and dad a chef, probably he told more about things in Vienna. Using local transportation, walking around is yet another way. 

Most noticeable thing was people are really outdoors kind, biking being primary activity, river floats,
rafting etc. The bicycle routes in Czech are extensive and well maintained and marked. There are color coded different kind of trails, red, blue, green. Educational trails are very well marked and informative. Maintaining old forests, various restoration sites, man made lakes, fish farming, bee farming and hunting are couple other things. Cleanliness and good habits were a nice touch. It was so fun to meet lively, continuously smiling individual in the winery and he proudly sharing his wine shares with everyone.

Really happy go lucky kind of guy and wife has really good voice.

More than hikes I would call them walks in the forests, towns, different places and they could be more intense than they are. But it was good mix of culture, places, country side etc giving you an idea of what is out there. The glimpse into local life and culture in some days.

Visiting these countries and not remembering world wars and things which happened during that era is not possible. On and off one can see remains and cemeteries and untouched , unused equipments reminding you of the times. So far everything you saw in movies and when really being present there and walking through, was a different thing.

Flowers / potatoes / fruit stalls /Hanna pottery maker / nature museum
Getting up really early and having walk/ run early morning or using free time during lunch more efficiently, stroll before dinners and silent nights to watch calmness that falls in place and how the place looks are some more ways apart from regular schedules to do what you want to and explore and enjoy the place. If you are like me, not much into shopping category you will do more hiking around, finding new things and doing them. Walk up the castle towers, night walks in the city, wooden boat rides, doing smith job making coins, nails, visiting nearby area, quick running up the hill, early morning bird watch and many more things.
Finally it's you who decides how best shape you are in.

Well given that it was nice experience in new country!! Music, food, people , culture , history, castles add special touch and good set of fun loving people to do all these things with.


My picture gallery already shared with group after trek.
Vienna to czech gallery

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