Na zdraví!

"U doktora" was a nice place, with beer taps on the tables. Also the dinner from traditional menu I enjoyed here was *very* interesting. Thanks again guys. :)

Qasek @ Hobit

I'm glad I had local friends with me, to find this local gem! :)

Ostravar brewery tour

It was nice to see how good beer is made, although it was mostly Czech pensioners on the tour with us, and it was also mostly explained in the local language only. :)

Burfi

Rather brilliant vegetarian cuisine.

U Rady

"It's a traditional Czech pub with a long history, a bit like U Fleku, but it's in Ostrava".

Poruba

Route of the Utopian Dreams.. a.k.a "walking tour number four". Was really nice especially as we had a local guide and got a peek inside one of the apartments. :)

Back in Czech

And it's nice to be back. :) The weather has been more spring-like than in Finland, though it's not the "terrace season" just yet.

Just plans: Moravian-Silesian region

It might be that I'll be taking a trip to the Czech Republic again in the near future, so it's time to do a little planning just in case I would have some free time there.

Ostrava is the biggest city in the region and it thrives to be European Cultural Capital for 2015 (the other alternative might be Plzen).

From the site Ostrava 2015 I found some interesting information about sights that Ostrava has to offer. There are for example maps for four walking tours, and an interesting "did you know...?" section.

Especially walking tour route #1 in the city centre looks interesting. Among all the architectural sights there is also a mention about the "U Rady" pub which is said to be "legendary" and to offer the best Pilsner Urquell in Ostrava. Also The Hobit Pub is along the route, it should offer beer from a local Biovar microbrewery (I've been to this pub before but I didn't know about the local beer!).

Also walking tour #4, labeled "The route of utopian dreams" through Poruba district might be interesting. Poruba is residential district that was constructed in the 1950's in the "socialist realism" style. I've seen it briefly before. We've also been to the residential areas surrounding Dubina. I think it's very impressive area in its' own style.

The Vitkovice area is - alas - not yet fully open at this time of the year but there is highly interesting walking tour #3 in the area.

Walking tour #2 goes to the other side of the Ostravice river and climbs to a 315-metre tall hill that is made from mining waste.

Of course, as Czech Republic is "the beer country" I should also mention Stodolni bar street and guided tours to the Ostravar brewery. :)

Although outside of Ostrava, it might be interesting to visit for example the Hlucin-Darkovicky fortifications.

PS. Lots of good pictures in this Scyscrapercity thread.

(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. ;)

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!