My last meal (in Czech)

The price is quite dreadful, but the taste is simply unbeatable - greasy cheese ("hermelin") with spicy chili and a large Pilsner. At the Ruzyne airport. Do I need to say more?

CU in Finland, folks.. Shouldn't take more than a few hours. :)

U Fleku

Being a tourist in Prague is serious business. After Ostrava, yesterday night was like a culture shock.

Loud crowds of drunken Brits or German boys roaming the streets. Different people asking for things, usually for money.

Quiet saturday morning at classic and world famous U Fleku brewery therefore seems calming. I survived last night to tell all about it.

I had a brief visit to the newly opened Hard Rock Cafe rock shop for some souvenirs. Too bad the cafe itself isn't open yet.

Today in Prague they will run the half marathon, so I'd better start moving towards the airport earlier than usual, if I intend to make it home tonight.

Still, Prague was nice but I kind of miss the athmosphere at Olomouc.

(probably) my last night on Stodolni

Good music on the jukebox, and beer. I will miss this one..

At the edge of Stodolni

It's early Wednesday night at the Stodolni street, in the heart of Ostrava. To my disappointment, many nice looking places are totally empty. But luckily Music Club E99 seems to draw the crowds. And why not, it's got decent music, young students and a beer that takes a while to descend from the pipe, but is worth the wait - the Master.

The Tank place

They've got a real German tank parked outside of this place. This is real tough boys' place. I'm very fortunate to have a local guide with me!

Staroceska pivnice

How appropriate.. I thought by name this would be something more classy than a dump filled with old drunks..

I will continue looking for the Puppet Theatre.

The Adagio

A local gem. Henry's favourite place. Good food, big portions and at affordable price. Welcome to the Adagio.

Life of the business traveller

I had a really nice time this weekend, but tomorrow it's time for work again.

The reason why I'm sitting here, at the Park Inn Ostrava lobby bar, and making another blog entry is because they don't have English newspapers to read at the moment, and there's nothing interesting on the tv.

But don't get me wrong, I like this hotel. I was just at their "wellness department" which was hefty fine. Two saunas and a jacuzzi solely at my disposal (as there was nobody else).

Though, it's still kind of 'tuff from time to time, to balance between work and leisure. I miss my family, and fortunately it will not be so long until I see them again.

Ok, enough about feeling homesick as working abroad surely has positive aspects too. But now it's time to concentrate to the core business - the slightly overpriced beer at hand. With snacks. ;)

Happy hours at Stramberk

Good news for the working man: every day, Monday to Friday, for one hour all the drinks are on 50% discount - except for the beer. It's quite brilliant marketing, as this place is a brewery!

So everybody, see you there after work and... cheers!

The Moritz microbrewery

What can I say - good athmosphere, tasteful interior, happy people and excellent beer. Such a nice way to end my day trip to Olomouc.

A nice day out in Olomouc

The weather's perfect, the timing's perfect, my travel company is perfect. Olomouc really seems to be the "hidden gem" of the Czech Republic. Lots of interesting things to see - but not that many tourists as in Prague.

Czech beer and Thai food

I'm having a nice home cooked Thai dinner with a colleague. It's a relaxing evening, preparation for tomorrow's challenges at work.

Pizza Anna

I'm finally online, having a pizza with my colleagues.

How this all started? Where am I? Maybe another time.. but I'm happy I got online, thanks to T-Mobile 3G - even though it's not full speed at most time.

But the cabbage pizza is good, yumm!

A snowy winter morning in.. Mäntsälä City

You gotta love this place. Or then you just gotta find a way to live with it, as there's no reason to hate a quiet small town on an ordinary Sunday morning. Things are as they are, around here.

What's eating me today? It's almost noon and I'm a bit hungry, but the stores are all closed. So are the cafes also. There are just a few kiosks and pizza places open, and maybe the gas station. Nah, I guess I'm just too much of a big city boy. :) Just look at this place.. this is real Finland.

(This happened a few hours ago. I really have no reason to complain, within 10 km radius there is a big gas station with a grocery store that's open 24 hours every day).