Czech Inn
Czech Inn, is one of the restaurants where they serve the traditional Czech food in Dublin. As far as I know, there are two such a restaurants in Dublin and neither of them was great. I have been in both and every time I left these restaurants, I have told myself to never come back again.
The last time I was there, the staff was unfriendly and it took them about 15 minutes before they even served us. I haven’t been there a year or so, just until yesterday. We went there for the lunch, and I have to say, I was quite surprised. Just when we sat at the table a waitress come with the menu. Apart from the main menu, they also serve a daily special menu which usually is a traditional Czech meal. All inexpensive. It didn’t take us even 5 minutes to choose what we want to eat and the waitress was back, taking the order. Two daily special menus (soup and main course) and two glasses of Kofola – Czech non alcoholic beverage. God, how long it was since I have Kofola the last time. Two minutes later, and the waitress was back with the drinks and the bowls of soup. The main course followed immediately after – just the way I like. No waiting between the courses. What a service. I didn’t remember this type of service the last time. And the food? Brilliant. The size of the main course amazed me. I have literally struggled to eat it all.
I have to say, I was amazed. Nice food, great service and a good value for money. After this last visit, I can definitely say I will be back.
Sick, sick, sick…
I am back in front of the computer after a couple of days I have spend in the bed having the worst flu in my life. And I hate being sick. It lasted about six days. Six miserable days.
It began on Friday morning, when I woke up with an incredible headache, forcing me to stay in the bed as every move around the house felt like hit by the sledgehammer in my head. And this supposed to be a long weekend and I have planned to work on my websites and have some of them finished for good. I have also had a plans to go swimming every single morning during this long weekend, to make my gym membership worth. Neither of this happened.
It is Wednesday today, and a first day in front of the computer, trying to do some work. I am still little bit ill, but I feel much better today. Ready to work again.
Madeira Holidays
It is hard to find a more romantic island in the Atlantic Ocean than Madeira. With temperatures always around 25 degrees centigrade and air rather humid, Madeira has a reputation for being an “island of eternal spring”. Some tree fruits such as cherries and small, yellow medlars bear fruit twice a year.
No wonder, Madeira Holidays are for people who cannot wait for spring.
Once Europe’s poorest region, Madeira has made a leap in development as most of the island’s towns are now linked by highway, making the travelling on the island much easier.
Eventhough natural beaches along Madeira’s rocky coast are rare, there are still many places with an easy access to the ocean. In Porto Moniz, there are natural swimming pools set in volcanic rock, and the Lido Galomar in Canico is a completely natural volcanic-rock bay that is popular with bathers. Small artificial beaches of sand have been created over the past few years.
But a retreat into the mountains is a remedy for that. More and more people, young as well as old, are discovering the appeal of hiking for hours in relative isolation. One of the most spectacular mountain hikes in Europe goes from Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest mountain, over Torre Pico to Pico Ruivo, the highest peak of Madeira. Hikes along levadas, or irrigation canals, are particularly popular. The first canals were built by slaves in the 15th century, to help irrigate sugar cane plantations. With a variety degrees of difficulty, the hikes can be strolls along a babbling brook or treks on a narrow path without a railing along a precipice.
Tired and hungry after hiking, many tourists seek out the local food. Espada, on the menu in many places, is a deep-sea fish caught off Madeira’s coast. Black cutlass fish tastes great, and the island’s inhabitants are said to have as many recipes for it as there are days in the year.
The most popular kind of meat, espetadas, comes on a laurel-wood skewer. Seasoned with sea salt, pepper and garlic, it is served on almost every occasion with garlic bread, polenta or sweet potatos and of course Madeira wine.
Visit Madeira Holidays.com
End of Eddie O’Sullivan
The time has finally come. Eddie O’Sullivan’s reign as Ireland rugby coach has ended as he held the resignation last night. His fate was sealed by Ireland’s dismal fourth place finish in the RBS 6 Nations, the worst championship performance since 1999.
During his six-year reign he did not get the best out of a richly talented team and failed to take Ireland to the next level, failing twice to land the Grand Slam. At the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Ireland failed to make it out of the group stages following defeats by France and Argentina and poor performance against the Namibia and Georgia.
But let’s not forget what Eddie has achieved during his time as Ireland coach, which makes him Ireland’s most successful coach in history. His record speaks for itself having won 50 of his 78 games in charge. He guided Ireland to three Triple Crowns in four years, winning 24 of 35 Six Nations games, finishing four times runners-up and twice third in his seven campaigns. Two wins over Australia and South Africa as well as four successive victories over England, including the record 43 – 13 win at the Croke Park last year.
The search for the new Ireland Rugby coach will begin soon, with candidates like Pat Howard, Jake White, Alan Gaffney or Wayne Smith as wel as Munster coach Declan Kidney.
Thank you, Eddie.
St. Patrick’s Day
With the 2008 St. Patrick’s Festival theme being Energy, today’s parade has been on of the most memorable St. Patrick’s Day Parade in years. More than 500,000 people thronged the streets of Dublin, for one of the world’s biggest and most colourful St Patrick’s Day parades. Two hours of entertainment and a breathtaking display of creative talent, created an exciting carnival atmosphere as the parade weaved through the city centre.
The Garda Band were joined by school bands from Ireland and throughout the United States, including Illinois, Wisconsin and Alabama, providing the open air soundtrack, with giant airborne puppets, dancers, performers and musicians from around the globe including street theatre companies like Plasticiens Volants, from the south of France, and the homegrown Bui Bolg, from Wexford.
This was truly one of the most memorable St. Patrick’s Day Parade in years.
