Day 5...Prague

Prague in the springtime is stunning, but for weary heads any early morning is a mission.

But despite this, there was still some good banter as we headed across to the town of Pilsen for the visit to Castle’s sister brewery Pilsner Urquell.

Superb sunshine greeted us as we stopped for an early beer before heading on the brewery tour, where the rich history of the Czech export product was retold to us.

Having been at breweries before this was a treat, for this is one of the oldest in Europe and is deeply entwined in the rich history of the Czech beer drinking culture.

The highlight for me was the freshly tapped beer – straight from the keg – at the underground cellars. Never before has a beer tasted so freshly brewed, so cold and perfect.

It was the right thing at the right time in the right place. Almost good enough to load up and take home.

This was a great experience and as we sat down at the brewery for lunch, it dawned on me how lucky we were to experience this.

In the middle of Eastern Europe, few South Africans have had this privilege. Prague had a special place in my heart already.

Our afternoon consisted of a brief walk – we needed the exercise after all – down from the amazing Prague castle to the town square with its beautiful architecture.

Taking in a bit of Czech life was brilliant, and if you ever get the chance, make sure you get yourself to this amazing city.

That evening we found a new dinner venue – unpronounceable in name, but recognizable by being an outdoor beer hall, where we were greeted with a rich dark Czech beer whose name I will never be able to remember.

It was okay, perhaps being overshadowed by an epic Fines meeting. All discipline must be kept on tour, as you know.

But at this place we were fed with a Czech shot that hit you like semtex. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it doubled up as paint remover.

Back down the cobblestones to Double Trouble, where we were consistently reminded in a Czech accent by the DJ “Do not leave…3 minutes Michael Jackson”

Eventually a lookalike appeared, moonwalked and strutted across the dance floor, as entertainment for the night.

Czech may be known for many things but Michael Jackson impersonators it is not.

Luckily our resident dancer Wouter calmed things down with his dance routine, while balancing his pint on his head. Talented fella this one…

He so upstaged Michael that our luckless DJ proclaimed…”There he is, man dance with beer on head…must be Guiness book record…”

Later that night we ended up in the Ice Bar – a pub made entirely of ice, kept at minus seven with drinks in glasses of ice…

It may have been cold, but in the early hours of the morning, Prague had never felt so warm.

Such a pity we have to move on...


- Brenden Nel