In the heart of Bohemia stands Prague (2016)

It was my last trip in Europe before returning to Indonesia after completing my master’s degree. My mom and I decided to make the most of it, choosing to travel from Delft to Prague by FlixBus, a long, overnight journey that fit our student budget perfectly. As the bus rolled through the dark winter night, passing highways, fields, and quiet towns, I watched the landscapes change from the flat Netherlands to the soft hills of Central Europe. By the time we arrived in Prague in the early morning, tired but excited, the city greeted us with cold air, soft winter light, and that quiet kind of magic that makes you fall in love at first sight.

Prague is in a fairytale that forgot to end. I started my walk near the Old Town Square, where the famous Astronomical Clock stood proudly, drawing crowds like a timeless celebrity. I waited for the hour to strike, along with dozens of tourists, and when it did, the little figures danced their medieval dance. It was short, slightly quirky, but everyone clapped anyway. There’s something charming about people gathering for a clock that has been performing the same show for over 600 years.

The Charles Bridge was another highlight. I crossed it slowly, like everyone else, stopping every few steps to take photos, watch musicians play, or admire the statues lined up like silent guardians. On one side, Prague Castle watched over the city like a patient king; on the other, the Vltava River reflected the sunlight like a mirror. I leaned on the stone railing for a while, just breathing it all in. It’s hard to rush in a city that seems to move at its own poetic rhythm.

Czech food was a pleasant surprise. I warmed up with goulash served in a bread bowl, followed by a sweet trdelník, the famous chimney cake covered in sugar. It’s touristy, yes, but I regret nothing. The smell alone was enough to make anyone weak. I sat on a bench, eating slowly, watching people wander by. Some looked like locals heading somewhere; others, like me, were just enchanted travelers floating through history.

Climbing up to Prague Castle was a bit of a workout, but the view from the top was worth every step. The red rooftops stretched endlessly, the river curved gracefully, and the gothic spires stood tall against the sky. I could have stayed there for hours, just watching the city glow in the afternoon light. There was something both grand and gentle about it.

As the day ended, Prague turned golden. The streets lit up softly, music floated out of cafés, and everything felt like a scene from an old European film. I walked without a destination, letting the city lead me. Prague wasn’t just another stop on the map, it was a place that lingered in the heart, quietly and beautifully.

Do you know, travelling with someone who understands architecture is fun, they will take you to interesting buildings/places.

The Dancing Building is located in Prague, Czech Republic, right on the Rašínovo nábřeží (Rašín Embankment) along the Vltava River, in the New Town (Nové Město) district. It was designed by architects Vlado Milunić (Czech) and Frank Gehry (Canadian-American). Built in 1992–1996, the building is nicknamed “Fred and Ginger” after dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers — the two towers look like a pair dancing. Its curved, flowing shape is super distinctive compared to Prague’s usual Gothic and Baroque architecture, which makes it stand out like a modern twist in a historic fairytale.