Kirschberg in Tyrol

We are only supposed to be staying in Austria for one night instead of the usual two, so we leave extra early in the morning to get to Kirschberg on time. Chris detours from the usual motorway, and takes us through winding roads that leave little for the imagination. We're back in the Alps, and I'm very happy about it. Everywhere is green, dotted with bright yellow dandelions. I'm surprised to find we're still in Italy, but learn that the Tyrol area is actually spread out over Italy, Austria and Germany. Honestly, all these motorways and roads joining the countries are so marvellous; big kudos to the road mappers and makers!

Anyway, the drive is not super long, and we reach our destination by 3pm. The big attraction in Austria are the optional adventure activities, which... I opt out of.

At Haus Alpenblick, we are up three flights of stairs, and there is no lift. Thankfully, some of the guys help Libby and I with our bags. Looking at the snowy peaks in the distance, I think the temperature's going to be fairly cool. It's hot. Like, 30 degrees hot. The adventurous folks go off adventuring, and Libby and I explore the sleepy town. Everything is closed, and there is literally nothing to do here. I grumble about it because it feels like a waste of a day. Libby is not feeling super, so she goes back to the Haus, and I manage to climb up to a little chapel to take some photos. Did I mention it was hot? Now I'm positively boiling.

There aren't many people around the chapel and the cemetery, so I come back to the house. Our dinner is a little late, as we have to wait for the people who had opted in for the adventure activities and the beer tasting. After dinner, which is a delicious Austrian fare, Chris (the owner of the house, who's from Wellington, NZ) comes up with a few shnapps flavours for us to try. I think I surprise everyone (and myself) when I put my hand up to try one. I can't remember what it's called, but it comes in a little ice cream cone, and I have to eat it off the table. I think it tastes like Baileys Original Irish Cream.

After dinner, a few people do shots shouting "Prost!" every time they take one. A few of us play Hammerschlagen. It's so addictive, hah! My day might not have been super exciting, but I have a good night, staying up till 1:40am chatting with a few friends and Chris.

Prague

Bummed that we didn't really get to see Austria, we get ready for Praha. We drive past Salzburg, and learn that not only is it famous for The Sound of Music, but also for being the headquarters of Red Bull! A few of the girls are excited about this, but we don't stop till we reach Mauthausen, a Nazi concentration camp, and an included landmark on our tour. The atmosphere on the coach is sombre as Marta recaps some of WW2 history.

It feels like a very long drive and it's pouring, but as we get closer to the camp, the rain clears up. The visit is a sobering experience. None of us speak as we take in our surroundings. It is hard to go with our smart phones, pockets full of snacks and the knowledge that we'll leave this place in a little while, to really and truly grasp what atrocities were committed here. Last night, Chris had told me about the quarry and how prisoners carrying large blocks of stone up the steep stairs would be pushed down by guards. Now, looking at the quarry overgrown with vegetation and listening to the chirping of birds chokes up my throat and brings tears to my eyes. It is silent, peaceful. I want to go to the stairs, but there isn't enough time.

Back at the camp, Libby and I find a basement crematorium, and it chills us. The air is cold and dank, and the place feels untouched since a long, long time. The sleeping quarters supposed to hold hundreds of inmates are so small, and I have to read the plaque twice to make sure I'm reading correctly. I feel odd taking photos, but I want to preserve memories. There is a museum displaying the horrific instruments used for torture and murder, and it honestly feels like a work of fiction. As we leave the gas chamber, it starts raining again. I scramble to cover my hair, and immediately think about the thousands of people made to work here in every condition. I definitely appreciate my life a lot more.

After yet another long drive (including two Jump Street movies to lighten the mood), we finally reach Prague. We immediately set out for a walking tour and the included dinner, and meet up with three new tour-mates. After dinner, a few of the group makes their way to the five-story nightclub, but a lot of us walk back to the main centre to catch a tram back to the hotel. We pass the famous Charles Bridge, and goodness, the view. On one side of the bridge is the Prague Castle in its glittering glory, and on the other is the biggest, brightest moon I have ever seen in my life. Another one of those moments. Gosh, what an emotionally heavy day this has been.

The next day is a free day, and we're armed with the knowledge that shopping in Prague is cheaper than the rest of the cities we've been to/will go to. In the morning while eating breakfast we find out that the Duchess of Cambridge has had a baby girl, Charlotte. I drop off my clothes for laundry purposes (freaking finally), and Libby and I take the tram to Prague Castle. We get lost as usual (let's be honest, we don't really like following the map), and end up in these lush gardens. We spot the castle on the other side of this small ravine-like thing, hidden amongst some trees. Fear not, fair prince, I have come to rescue thee!

We end up not going into the castle (sorry, fair prince) as we're pressed for time, but we look around St. Vitus Cathedral and cool off at a nice cafe overlooking the entire city. Remember how I said that Paris was grey? Well, Prague is orange! It is a stunning day, and I kind of feel like a princess sitting here. :-)

By now I'm really itching to check out the cheap shopping everyone's on about, so we leave for the Old Town Square. We find that we need to cut through some gardens for the quickest way down the castle and towards the city. These turn out to be the Palace Gardens under the Prague Castle. We pay 2 Euros to go through the terraced gardens, which I think are two of the best Euros I've spent on this tour (the official currency of Czech Republic is Koruna, or Crowns, but many places seem to accept Euros). The city looks different on every platform of the garden. Then we cross Charles Bridge to come into Old Town, and watch the Astronomical Clock chime 3pm.

After that, we randomly walk through the city and do a bit of shopping till the evening. I finish up the memory on my phone. Too many selfies, I tell ya.