Luhacovice, Czech Republic

Jan 2004

Luhacovice

After New Years in Prague, I went with Lenka to her home town of Luhovice, a famous spa centre in the Czech Republic four hours from Prague and only an hour away from Zlin (home of the world famous Bata Shoe Company). 

Map of where Luhacovice is in the Czech Republic ... courtesy of the town website.

It really is a lovely place with many beautiful buildings, spa water on tap in the park, ducks freezing their nuts off in the icy river and lovely old houses lining the streets (all named after women for some strange reason).  

Lenka's parents live in a little snow covered village just outside Luhacovice whose name for all time  escapes me ... and even if I could remember it, there's no way I could pronounce it so it's better that I just leave. Have to say the being in a little snow covered village around the festive time of the year was a real dream come true .... despite freezing my ass off every time I went outside to appreciate it.  I've always wanted to have a white Xmas and this was as close as it gets.  It sure makes a big change from boiling to death in the 35 degree plus Aussie summer.

I also got to meet Lenka's parents.   Lenka's  mother is a teacher at the local school and her father is a security guard.  He used to be a miner but had an industrial accident with his hand unfortunately.  They were really nice although they seemed slightly distrustful.  They had to be thinking "Who is this foreign guy shagging our daughter?".  Understandable I guess.  I mean ... it is me they're talking about isn't it?

Anyway ... we had a good time in Luhacovice looking around, feeding the ducks and partying with Lenka's school friends.  Here are some of the pictures I took.

Shots around Luhacovice

The village of Luhacovice

Building with weird chimney in the background. 

Me freezing my butt off in the park outside picturesque house.

Lenka and the Pussy Wagon.  A little joke from Kill Bill.  Well ... it is a Peugeot an it does have a have pussy cat (lion) as it's brand symbol.  Entonces ... Pussy Wagon.

Snow covered (and half buried) shed in the neighbours place.  Still find it hard to get over how white everything is.  I've never seen anything like it. 

Trees in Lenka's back garden.  I really love this shot.

Lenka's swimming pool.  It's kind of weird from an Australian perspective to see a pool totally frozen over and covered in snow. 

Me hanging off the balcony of Lenka's room.

Chickens, Turkeys, Rabbits And 50% Proof Home Made Brandy

Country life is a bit different from life in the city.  I find it really amazing that Lenka's parents raise all their own meat and have chickens, turkeys and sheep.  They buy the occasional pig and slaughter it themselves as well.  I tried the sausage they make from it.  Simply amazing.  Especially when eaten with vinegar and chased down with home made 50% brandy.  Ayyyy!!

Lenka took me to check out the chickens and turkeys out back.  I saw lots of chickens but no turkeys.  When I asked Lenka where the turkey's were, she said simply that "the turkeys must be in the freezer".  Hilarious. 

This year they're going to breed rabbits instead of turkeys.  The weekend of my following visit in mid February, her parents bought a female rabbit, took it around to a neighbours place for a quick 1-2 with their male rabbit and are now expecting baby rabbits in about 28 days time.  Cool.

Ducks Of Luhacovice

This series of photos continues my obsession with ducks.  Don't know why I like them but they are a funny looking animal.  This time, we are looking at the ducks who hang in the river in the beautiful spring town of Luhacovice.

Duck fight

Ducks cruising around in circles.  Coloured ones are males.  Brown ones are females.  Not sure if any are gay or bisexual but who knows.  You cannot always tell a duck by his colour.  Boom Boom!

Me feeding the ducks.

Portrait of a duck #1.

Portrait of a duck #2.  Would've been a good shot if not for the fact that the beak was cut off.

Partying Wid Da People From The Village, Ayyy!!!

Lenka, me and Lenka's high school buddies.

Lenka and guy from high-school who really fancied her once upon a time.

Lenka pretending to be a moose.  They are quite common around her village.  I saw a few in the distant fields one morning while having breakfast.  The animal that is ... not a whole lot of village idiots pretending to be moose. 

Picture of a real moose.  Amazing the the resemblance. 

Click below for more pictures of mooses from around the world.

Yes! Show me more moose and how to cook this tasty looking animal.

I actually had moose goulash at Lenka's one night.  Her father or uncle illegally shot a moose late one night and turned it into ... well ... moose goulash. 

Me ... as usual with my tongue out pretending to be a moose too.

One of Lenka's high school friends pretending to be a moose as well.

Samuel Jackson look-a-like: "I'm not pretending to be no moose!"

Lenka's friend and Samuel Jackson look-a-like husband.

Lenka and friend.

Me being beaten up.

Lenka looking very happy drunk.

Dancing.

Samual L. Jackson: "You talking to me".  I am wearing his dreadlocks as a wig. 

"Yes ... I am blond."

"More vodka and orange please!"

"You're pretty fly .... [pause] ... for a white guy."

The gang.

Plane about to crash.  Lenka was very hung-over when we got home and still hung-over the next morning.  It was my turn to nurse her the next day.  I guess it was repayment for nursing me for a whole day after New Years Eve when I had the hangover from hell.

Local Snow Art

It's the differences about a country that really strike you more than anything. Like the local snowmen and snowgirls for example.  Art reflecting life?

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