One of the best things about 2011 was you, Prague...

Feelings of wonderlust whenever I look at the photos.  I'm procrastinating posting them, so I can keep writing about Prague all year...

The Old Town Tower as you approach Karlov Most, in astonishing gothic style.  

Crossing the bridge... dotted with 30 statues.  

If you rub St John being thrown into Vltava River and make make a wish... When in Rome!

Foggy morning view from a park I stumbled onto on my last day (which ended up being my favourite spot in Prague...)  This is the view when it's not foggy. 

11/11/2011

They say that how one spent 11/11/11 will set the tone for the future.  If that's to be believed then sign me up.

On 11/11 I woke up in Paris about 3:30am with 45 minutes on the clock to finish packing and make my way over to CDG for the flight to Prague.  A croissant and a coffee definitely hit the spot at the inhumane hour, no matter that it cost a bazillion dollars.  I was getting tired of paying Paris prices.

After a short hour flight, I was in heaven.  When I was initially considering the Paris trip, I thought why not do another city?  I desperately wanted to go to Belgrade, and it was torture flying over Serbia and not being able to go, but 4 days was an unfairly short amount of time to consider it a destination so I decided on Prague (the other possibility was London).  The decision was helped by the bargain of a life time - a return flight from Paris and 3 nights in a 5 star hotel for less than AUD370.  Thanks Expedia!

I instantly fell in love with Prague.  I fit right in, what with looking so obviously Slavic and being well above average height.  Nobody stared.  I understood the language too.  What a revelation.  Sign number 875 that I belong in Eastern Europe.  After a very cheap train ride into town, I was in a fairy tale.

Prague is impossible to describe with words.  A bit like New York, it just made me happy and at peace.    I indulged in the most delicious street food, the best hot chocolate I have ever had. I'm already plotting ways to go back.  The one regret I have is not getting a guidebook to read as I walked around.  The architecture and the history of each building is incredible,  everything had a story.  I walked around all day with a huge grin on my face, eating amazing food... if that's how I'm going to spend the rest of my life... may the rest of my life start now!

The incredible street food sausage in the freshest baguette

Roast potato with ham and onion

Trdelnik.  If I could eat only this incredible pastry for the rest of my life I would.  I had 2-3 every single day... 

Tyn Church in old town square.

The buys

Even though I promised myself not to buy anything, bar books, who was I kidding!?  The "who knows when I'll be back and if I'll ever come across something like this again" feeling seems to take over.  My obsessive personality takes hold.  Just like I obsessed over a scarf in Singapore for 3 days until I bought it.  I spent half a day trawling H&M stores across Paris looking for an orange hat.

I wanted to get one amazing piece in each city.  I couldn't go past Chanel in Paris.  The service was so wonderful, I had trouble deciding which brooch to get.  In the end I decided on the classic pearl.  Very happy with my choice.

I also thought it was time to upgrade my beloved, 5 year old Chanel 5101 sunnies.  The 5183 are similar, but different enough.  Instant love.

When I checked into the hotel in Prague, I fell in love with this black garnet and CZ ring that I saw in the little jewellery store on the premises.  Prague is full of jewellery stores and I literally walked into every single one looking for something similar.  When I realised that nothing close or as equally beautiful existed I made sure this one came home with me.  I love the symbol behind the stone and I'm sure I will cherish this ring for a long time to come.  It was so sparkly for the price that I paid.

I came across this wonderful jacket hiding in the corner of the Zara store in Prague.  I had well and truly had run out of room in my suitcase by that stage, but what's a girl to do.  Hence why I had to fly back to Australia wearing 5 layers and 3 scarves around my neck.  Worth it!

It's perfect with this brooch I picked up for a couple of Euro in a little store in St Germain.

Gold Zara goat skin bag, which is sadly too delicate to carry too often.

I have also developed a serious love affair with the new Chanel shadows.  I exercised some self control and only purchased Mirifique from Sephora... and I'm lusting after Illusoire and Epatant too.  Patience...

Prague posts to come this week... x