Czech Republic: August 25, 2009

We decided to travel to Olomouc & Ostrava today. So far, we have had clear, dry, sunny and warm conditions, which will hopefully remain. I think that our maps need updating as we tend to get on routes that the GPS says don’t exist. Mind you, they are building so many highways here, it seems between just about every town is getting one, that I don’t think any mapmaker would be able to keep up. However, our routes tend to be very picturesque so, except for time – of which we have a lot, it is not a problem.

Olomouc is a university town, but most of the historic city centre dates back to the 1700s and the Hapsburgs. We tried to park, but the machine did not like our change, so we had to settle with a drive about instead. I have decided that I don’t like trams in cities. It makes driving a bit nerve racking. We might try to go back though since the Old Town looked interesting.

We then drove on to Ostrava, in fact to IKEA outside of Ostrava, we actually never made it into the town itself. However, from what I have read, it is an industrial town, and certainly judging by the number of factory chimneys that were visible on approach, I would have to agree. We enjoyed our first visit to IKEA since before we got married. Marisa says that IKEA is like visiting someone’s house and being able to look into all of their cupboards, etc. Their displays are definitely thorough. We then visited the attached mall and saw a few brand names that we’re familiar with (H&M, Marks & Spencer, Sephora). We then took yet another road back to Zlin as the sun was setting. Amazing countryside and indeed, an amazing country!