But wait, there is more!

There are so many more things about Prague that I didn't include in the previous blog, simply because it would run too long. There is much more of course that I didn't get a chance to see and learn during the short visit. But there are two things I would like to share here. One is the Prague Zoo, and the other - the Chocolate Museum.

Prague Zoo surprised me not only by its size (it's very large), but also how well kept and clean it was, how beautiful the grounds were and how progressive it was in general. This is rare for post-socialist countries climbing out of economic difficulties, but for Prague it's even more praiseworthy, because not too long ago, in 2002 , the city and the Zoo were damaged by a flood. There were photos of the flooded Zoo, of the extend of the damage done, reports of heroic rescues of animals by the zookeepers and of the losses... Since then, the Zoo was rebuilt and expanded, and is now among the top 10 best zoos in the world. Some call it the best zoo in Europe.

The Zoo starts with a Walk of Fame - only instead of movie starts there are the footprints of the zoo stars and primadonnas - monkeys, tigers, zebras...








I did take a lot of videos at the Zoo, which I can't post here. I will only show some of the animals I haven't seen in any other zoo, or those we particularly liked. Like this bat-eared dog, which was, I think, Roxy's favorite.




These two birds of prey were among my favorites. I like how they looked me, as if considering whether or not I am worth catching. The snow owl was actually hissing at me, trying to scare me at first.

These monkeys are looking for fleas in each other's fur (and not finding any, by the way) at the Indonesian Jungle pavilion, one of the most unique exhibits at the Zoo. There was a binturong at the exhibit, too - something I haven't seen anywhere else - but he was hiding in the tree.

Part of the Indonesian pavilion is a dark tunnel , where nocturnal animals can be seen roaming around, and the bats fly around free.

Pelicans...

I liked the giraffe habitat, because we didn't have to look up - the observation desk was at the level of their heads, so we could actually look them in the eye :)



Polar bears rarely feel and look good in captivity. This one was so shining white, healthy looking and energetic, it was a pleasure to behold!

The Chocolate museum is located in downtown Prague, next door to a Belgian chocolate store. Very good chocolate, I assure you! Too bad you weren't there. The museum not only tells the story of the chocolate, from the discovery of cocoa beans and their effect upon humans, to chocolate's triumphal entry into Europe. It has a detailed description of the chocolate making process, tools, different kinds of beans, the areas where they grow, the way they are harvested. It also has some ancient Aztec recipes that contain cocoa, a collection of chocolate boxes and wrappers from different countries, some pretty old (yes, they had some American ones, too, and Russian as well). My personal favorite was the part about how chocolate affects health - something I have argued about with so many people.

All this was so interesting, we spent hours in the little museum, reading and absorbing every piece of information related to the product we all love so much.

Here is a cocoa tree with the fruit - it's not real, but it looks very cool.

An Aztec recipe...

..harvesting tools and map of cocoa-growing regions...

Information on how much cocoa mass, cocoa butter, sugar and other ingredients is contained in different kinds of chocolate (dark, plain, milk, white).

Does chocolate cause high cholesterol?

NO, it doesn't. Neither it causes cavities or pimples, affects the heart, or makes one gain weight (if used in moderation, of course).



That's Vicky and Roxy absorbing the rock candy-making process shown on TV at the Belgian chocolate store.