The last time I was able to enjoy a proper Vltava Day by going on a free boat ride was 2019. Back then it was not necessary to make a reservation to enjoy a boat ride. In 2023, I tried to go again and even organized a group to go but found out while in line for the boats that reservations were required. Last year, I emailed the address given the night before but didn't receive a message back. This year I emailed the day before in the afternoon and in Czech and finally got a response. It was not possible to make any more reservations, but I was given a list of locations where it would be possible to just wait in line and go on the boat for free. Leos and I made our way to the docks at Holesovice. I had no idea boats went from there. We waited in line and sure enough we were able to get on the boat. Luckily, we got that last seating area with a table. The weather was beautiful with blue skies and I was able to just be in a t-shirt for part of the boat ride. It was great to see another side of Praha. For lunch we decided to try out a greasy USA sandwich place and it hit the spot. Then we walked to Letna park and walked down to Malostranska. I looked across the river and saw the same image that I saw on the Vltava Day poster the night before that confused me. I didn't understand why there was a USA flag and tanks in the poster, but when I looked across the river I saw the exact image. It was so strange, we had to go check it out. I couldn't believe all the tanks and military vehicles that were there. It was really interesting to see. My favorite confusing photos that I took that day are of the tanks with the Charles Bridge in the background. It was such a nice random day.
