Fri-April 11, 2012
We gotta get out of Germany! Yesterday’s ride to Rothenburg was not wet. Today we head for the city of Karlovy Vary, Ceska Republika (Czech Republic). This city is historically known for it’s hot mineral water spas. We weren’t looking to take a bath, just go for a ride.
Money:
Euro: $1 USD = €0.75 or €1 = $1.33 USD
Czech Koruna Kč: $1 USD = Kč 19.43 or Kč 1 = $0.0515 USD
Gas/Fuel in Czech Republic: €1.44/l or Kč35.50/l or $1.91 USD/l or $7.08/gal
Gas at the Czech Republic border. Almost €0.25 cheaper than Germany.
It was a 2 hour ride, 171 km (107 mi) due east to Karlovy Vary, Ceska Republika (Czech Republic). My map showed 1/2 Autobahn and 1/2 highway road. But now that 1/2 highway is all Autobahn.
The Spa in Karlovy Vary.
The spa columns were many. There are mineral fountains every 25m down the columns on the left.
Warm mineral water fountains had lines like this. Many were drinking the water with special cups.
$500 fine for parking our moto's on the sidewalk! Oh wait, that's Kč 500 or $25 USD.
The German/Czech Rep border is almost invisible. The immigration and customs buildings were all closed up.
In Karlovy Vary, we parked on the sidewalk near the city center (my riding buddy had parked here before) and had a coffee while watching the police ignore our bikes.
I went to take photo of the spa, Hotel Popp and Casino were the Bond film Casino Royal was filmed.
Apparently, a police lady finally decides to take issue of the moto’s on the sidewalk.
This is were my riding buddy discovered he forgot his passport and International Driver’s License in Bamberg. This of course is a major no-no and could have escalated into severed relationship amongst the Czech Republic, US, Germany, and the Duchy of Grand Fenwick.
Tensions increased when talks of restitution began and a 500 number was bandied about.
The mind was racing . . . $500 USD? €500 Euro?
Whew . . . No!
It was 500 Czech Krouna (or $25.75 USD).
Another impasse surfaced when the police woman wanted to be paid in Czech Krounas. This took another 15 minutes finding a place to change currency.
I was gone for all of this. I’ve been wondering around for 30 minutes when I get a text message. ”Come back to the bikes.”
The police lady wanted the moto’s off the sidewalk and she would drive by every 5-10 minutes to see if the motos were gone.
Tomorrow we go to Garmisch-Partenkirchen area rain or shine (at least thats what were saying this afternoon!) Camping equipment packed and . . .
Well at least you’re not paying AV gas prices $6.00 gal
Must say every time I read the page I find myself looking at my bike with the engine in it vs. the one with the pedals
Joe, my calculations were all “phooey”! The gas price is $7.08 USD per gallon! US AV fuel is way cheaper!
Remember though, those gas prices are in liters not gallons…..
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is familiar to me, when I was in Special Forces during the Cold War we had a Safe House near there. Actually, it was on a farm. And in one of the barns was a 50cc motocross bike which I lusted after trying to fire up. But that would have been a serious no-no. I love Bavaria (aka the “Free State of Bavaria” to those who’d prefer being separate from Germany).
Another South American Odyssey?