When a “news flash” on Horizons Unlimited mentioned that the UNESCO city of Ceski Krumlov was worth a visit, I decided to make a stopover since I was heading in that direction. I found a perfect viewing spot from the top of a hill in the city, overlooking the old city and the Vitava river that snakes it’s way around the city. I have included a couple of pictures of this beautiful place.

The info board on the main road to Brno in the Czech Republic read : air 36, road surface 55. Only two times earlier have I experienced heat like that or worse; once in the Karoo in South Africa and once in the desert in Morocco at Merzouga. Black riding jacket and pants doesn’t make it any better. Wonder what the temperature is “inside”! Although I would like to rip the whole thing off, and drive in t-shirt and shorts, safety comes first, so on with the full face helmet, leather gloves and goretex jacket and pants. I drink water by the gallon and very little comes out the other end!

Close to Brno I let the gps suggest a campsite, and the choice was Camp Alfa. Definitely the most basic so far. Hardly any trees for shade, and only one small tent on the grounds. But the showers and toilets were great, and the beer ice cold, so I decided to stay. After having pitched the tent, a Honda Transalp arrived with a husband and wife team, and parked in front of the small tent. I went over to introduce myself. They were Italians in their mid sixties, and didn’t speak a word of English. My Italian is non-existent, so unfortunately a very brief encounter. The top box on the motorcycle had numerous stickers on it, from some very exotic places, and I would have loved to know more about this couple travelling on the bike, camping in a small tent. One thing is for sure; with the tiny space available they really must love each other! The husband managed to explain that they had done 135.000 km on the bike so far. I can’t wait for these gadgets to come around that enables a person to speak his native language while it is being translated to the language of the listener simultaneously. It does exist, but is not yet fully developed. I will be the first to buy a unit.

Tomorrow I will be heading for Bratislava, the Slovakian capital.