Kayaking on the Morava River

I'd been scheming to go boating on the gentle Morava river in the Czech Republic, but I wasn't sure if it was going to come together.  It did!

First step:  camp in Moravičany so I can get a nice early start.  Some views from near my campsite:

Second step:  Rent a kayak and gear (I rented from Tydra, but there are various companies)

Third step:  Paddle, drift, repeat.  Portage around the weirs.  Paddle, drift, repeat. For 28 river kilometers.  Enjoy the greenery and the wildlife (lots of good birds, some fish, a snake, two fighting hares, and some not-shy nutrias)

Fourth step:  Learn better kayak techniques.  I have more experience with canoes than kayaks, and very little river experience (mostly lakes--and seas), and I didn't have the BEST control of the kayak.  So I exerted more energy than was necessary.  Before my next Morava boating, I'm going to figure out better strategies...or maybe I'll convince a friend to go with me and rent a canoe instead.  :)    

The Adventures of Marshmallow, part 1

Before I left home, one of my students gave me two little cat figurines, because she knew I'd miss my cats, and since I couldn't take my cats with me, I could take these.  I was so touched.  I left one to console my mom and brought the other with me.  Mine's called Marshmallow, and here she is, hunting mice at the Convent of St. Agnes in Prague:

Hanging out at a park with a view of the city:

Enjoying the scenery from the train on the way to ValMez:

More of Marshmallow's adventures later.  

Prague--a Great Welcome Back to Europe

I'm behind on my postings of my return to beautiful Europe, so here are a few pics from my first day in Prague:

Prague Castle from across the Vltava:

My first Czech food--the most delicious halušky I've ever had:

Some nice vaulted ceilings:

  Creepy statues:

And fancy facades:

Plus a guy playing absolutely beautiful music on glasses of water:

And, of course, Charles Bridge at night: