Nic and Sue’s Euro River Cruise and some bits on the side. Autumn 2026. Day 1/2.

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First stop – family delivered us to the station at Moe. Thanks Bron, Mike & Steve.

Train running late and announcement made that the trains to Southern Cross are delayed due to trespassers on the tracks. Strangely, the Traralgon bound train came and went. So we suspect it’s back down the line to Melbourne. (Wrong as it turned out somewhere around Morwell) Luckily Steve is more than prepared to drive us down. We waited for him to fill up and return to station. We awaited announcements for a bit – but no further details. So Steve to the rescue!!!

The 2:11 had not arrived by 2:55. and further announcements provided no additional info except to add that trespassers were at Morwell.

Just as we were walking across the road to meet Steve they announced trains were running but slowly, we stuck with the Steve program.

Steve ably negotiated his way into the city and dropped us near Southern Cross station at 4:35 (only 20 minutes later than the original train)

We bailed out at the lights, grabbed the luggage and headed to the Savoy for our first trip drink and to await Sue’s Chauffeur, with a now customary drink at The Savoy

Turns out Atilla (our Hughes chauffeur) was already there and waited for us to finish our drinks, then off to Tullarmarine at five. The freeway was full but moving. Atilla was great, been doing this for 52 years. Real chatty and great stories to tell.

Arrived at airport just after 5:30. Very quiet in international departures. Sue to Business Class check in and me to economy. We both checked in in similar timeframe. 

Through security in no time.

Sue needed sunnies, so a touch of duty free shopping.

Then Sue up the escalator to Emirates lounge and me around to gate, coffee and fruit while blogging and generally phaffing about.

On board in last group to be called. Seat change number 3!!! Didn’t check my seat at check in – rookie mistake. No longer a bulkhead, but still an aisle. Plane is chockers. Sitting beside Andrew and Carmel from Kyabram. Another couple in front from Ky Kay and Mick, they are off to do a private safari in South Africa. A cheeky Scotsman – David,  in front with Mick and Kay – last to board – got lost in duty free. Could be interesting!

They all settled down. Andrew works for GMW and the three in front quietened also. Mick and Andrew went to Echuca tech and Mick knew someone I went to school with in Locky.

I fiddled getting connected and sorting out my bits and pieces. 

My aim is to clean up 2 years of backlog of photos on my phone, catch a movie and sleep. We got fed about 10:30pm and then got a few hours sleep – maybe five on and off. Missed the ‘light snack.’ Dinner and breaky were tasty. 

Sue was lapping up the delights of Business Class – here’s a few pics.

Back in economy the Wifi failed after snooze and breaky. Not sure what that’s about. 

Touch down Dubai at 10:17am Aust. 4:18am Dubai time. 

My ‘Get Your Guide’ lounge pass was in the wrong building so we caught the train and several travelators to Gate C 7. Sue into lounge and I hunted down some power to charge up my devices.

Now to get charged up then go and find something to drink.

Coffee and water procured. Boarded plane about 8:15 due to take off at 8:40. Left the ground at 9:06.

We have Starlink on this flight so good connectivity from the get go – no idea if it will last. I probably should be sleeping, but trying to get onto Prague time – which is morning currently.

Bonus spare seat. My window seat comparison didn’t take any.

A pleasant flight. Landed in Prague at 1:07 Prague time (9:07 on the 17th in Melb I think near as to 24 hours later.) Early night for us in Prague tonight.

Swiftly off the plane and around to the EES queue – quite long for non euro folk, we lined up at 1:27 and we were through with our fingerprints and photo, collected bags and we in the Chauffeur driven car with David by 2:10.

Weather is a pleasant 18 degrees or so.

We enjoyed a welcome drink at Unitas Hotel – Czech bubbles.

A quick settle in to the room before taking a wander out around the Old Town – into the winding streets aiming for the river and to scout our route to get to meeting point for our tour tomorrow. We landed in the square beside the Astronomical clock and myriad other aged buildings.

Meandered to the river, thinking we’d pop out near Charles Bridge but we overshot it and had to keep chasing the Vltava river past some other bridges and more old buildings.

I spotted a critter in the river – a beaver like thing, eating the water lettuce. Turns out it’s a large river rodent called a nutria (also called coypu), they are large semi-aquatic mammals native to South America that now live freely along the Vltava River.

After a fair bit of wandering we found the tram stop we need for tomorrow and the Restaurant recommended by Karyna at the hotel – Pivovar Narodni.

Then a short walk home for showers, a cuppa and an early night.