Czech Republic – Spartans! Assemble!

April 23

Hello everyone!

This weekend I took part in a running race. Nothing unusual there, I know. This one, however, was a little bit different.

A recent phenomenon amongst generation Y, those that need instant gratification and need constant stimulation, has been the notion that mere running is insufficient as an activity. Obstacles need to be introduced. Risk needs to be a factor.

Risky 

We had entered a race called the ‘Spartan Sprint’: a 5km jaunt around a park in central Prague interspersed with a range of obstacles.

An example of one of the many walls which needed to be vaulted

It was like an episode of Gladiators, with the main difference being that contestants on the TV show had at least an iota of upper body strength. Unlike me…

A man who seems to have back muscles (unlike me) attempting the traverse wall

The event was surprisingly popular, with over 15,000 numbers distributed to ‘runners’ of varying muscle mass. Obviously it is difficult for all of those people to do obstacles at the same time; start times are thus staggered to allow people to continue moving. We started at 11:30am on a fresh Saturday morning. At least it wasn’t snowing, as it was earlier in the week.

Clive Owen would be running scared of us wannabe Spartans

It started easily enough, with a gentle running route occasionally being blocked off by wooden walls to vault over.

Most needed a run-up and then to run up the wall a bit before popping over

Soon enough, the first of the 11 major challenges was upon us. The major challenges have the added burden of the competitor needing to complete 30 burpees if they fail one. Luckily, the first couple of obstacles involved balance so were negotiated with relative ease.

Major challenge 1: don't fall when getting across!

As you can see from the pole towards the end, not all of them are straight!

Major challenge 2: ascending and descending a large cargo net

This turned out to be the high point of my race. It all started going wrong – and the burpees started totting up at a frightening rate – when attempting the notorious spear throw. I actually hit the head of the target, which I thought should have earned me a free pass. Not according to Spartan rules, however.

The spear has to stick in the body for you to avoid the burpees

Another couple of high walls led to the wall traverse – horizontal rock climbing. When thousands of people have already attempted this, the knobs are a bit slippery from sweat. That’s my excuse for lasting approximately 3 seconds and I’m sticking to it.

The traverse wall included two corners - I didn't get near them

Spartan fitness isn’t all about brawn and big muscles, apparently. Whilst jogging around at the start – before all of the burpees – we were invited to look at a board with a variety of codes written upon it. Halfway round the obstacle course, we ran into a blockade of large men who demanded the code in order for us to proceed on a burpee-free journey. I mumbled mine so that he didn’t hear me well enough to realise I’d gotten my code wrong.

The lactic acid builds up very quickly if you have to do too many burpees

More success followed with belaying a heavy sack and rolling along a muddy path. Staying low on the mud was essential due to the barbed wire hovering millimetres above our heads.

Rolling in the Stromovka mud

The headbands are used for photo purposes - a number on the shirt wouldn't survive the mud!

Rising from under the wire traps about a kilo heavier due to the mud, we then had to dunk ourselves underwater in order to get to the next challenge: rope-climbing. With a pool of water below, naturally. Again, I could argue that the rope was too muddy and slippery to possibly climb up. Having struggled to climb ropes all my life, that would be a futile excuse. Those heavier, wetter burpees were tough.

An example of our penultimate challenge: the rope climb

One final challenge remained. Think ‘hang tough’ from Gladiators. I managed to do the first section, climbing along a pole, but the rings defeated me. 30 more burpees, then one final jump over a fire to reach the finish line.

It wouldn't take a great leap of imagination to imagine Saracen or Rhino wrapping their legs around this man to drag him down

Our leap over the fire to the finish line

Medal earnt. Arm muscles sore. Do I feel like a Spartan? Not in the slightest but I have a medal to prove that I am!

Love you all

Matt

Czech Republic – Jump around!

5 March

Hello everyone!

It can be quite difficult to stay active in the winter here in the Czech Republic. It either involves a pair of skis or building up a sweat inside. Usually we play squash every Monday but this weekend we tried something new to raise our adrenaline levels. 

Back in December, my ‘Secret Santa’ bought two tickets for a place called ‘Jumppark’. Based in the east of Prague, it is apparently the first trampoline park in central Europe and comprised of two large rooms. With almost 700m² of trampolines, there’s a lot of space to bounce around on.

Before being allowed to jump, we were subjected to a rather graphic cartoon video which seemed to show all the different ways a bouncer could break their bones.

The complex is split into two rooms, with the second chamber being a large open area comprised of many small trampolines. It was amazing to watch some of the children happily skipping along from trampoline to trampoline, if a little disheartening when I tried to do the same thing and must have seemed like a drunk snail in comparison.

The first room had three different sections: a dodgeball area, a pair of basketball hoops above some trampolines and a row of springy floors which led into a deep pit of foam cubes. Perfect for somersaults. Well, attempts at somersaults…

An exhausting yet exhilarating hour later, it was time to stop. Heart racing, adrenaline coursing through veins. A super Saturday morning. Boinnnng!

Love you all

Matt 

Malta – A church for every day of the year

February 13-21

Hello everyone!

As I mentioned in my last blog, Malta is a tourist hotspot in the summer months. However, there are many reasons to visit this small country even when the sun isn’t strong enough to burn you to a crisp.

If you like history…

The main islands of Malta and Gozo are home to some of the oldest temples in the world, some of which pre-date the pyramids of Ancient Egypt by over 1000 years. The most famous is the Hypogeum. The government restrict visitor numbers to preserve the temple so only 80 people can visit per day. I wholeheartedly support the idea, even if it meant that it wasn’t possible for us to visit. On Gozo, the Ggantija temple complex dates from a similar era.

Entrance of the Ggantija complex, Gozo

Forts and towers are numerous and often dominate a village or vista. The Red Tower in Gozo, whose colour has faded in the 300 days of sunshine Malta claims to receive each year, is particularly striking. We enjoyed visiting it mainly because we found a geocache in its surrounding wall.

The Red Tower, northern Malta

Our geocache found at the Red Tower

  

The Cottonera (Three Cities) are a short boat ride from Valletta, the capital. The journey itself actually gives great views of both sides, as well as allowing one’s imagination to drift to how the various invading armadas must have felt when approaching this strategically important landmass. Admittedly, the modern Maltese Falcon wasn’t around when the Ottomans, Napoleon and co. were leading their respective charges. Having seen this behemoth of a boat up close, I can imagine it would have scared prospective invaders away.

Boats docked in Birgu, one of the Three Cities known as the Cottonera

A view of Birgu, one of the Three Cities known as the Cottonera

The Maltese Falcon

  

What wouldn’t have given these invaders the heebie-jeebies is the Great Wall of Malta, a not-so-great-in-any-respect stone wall which zig-zags across much of the main island. Makes for a nice walk, though.

If you like buildings…

Look, more forts!

The fort at Mdina, one of Malta's first capitals

Malta’s history is often linked to the Knights Hospitaller, a Western Christian military order which operated in Malta for much of the Middle Age period. Their religion of choice is omnipresent on the islands in the form of numerous cathedrals, basilicas and chapels. On the plane to Malta, a man told me that ‘Malta has a church for every day of the year.’ I can certainly attest to that.

A religious complex near Mellieha, Malta

  

A small chapel near Dingli, Malta

  

If you like being in nature…

Malta’s islands are small yet are home to many excellent hikes and walks. The main hike we undertook initially led us from Gozo’s largest town of Victoria to the southwest of the island, before moving along the cliffs on the western side of the island.

A vegetable patch in Gozo

Gozo's stunning coastline

  

The west of Gozo is home to Malta’s most spectacular sight: the Azure Window. We got an idea of how the rock has been eroded so spectacularly as the wind was blowing a gale, resulting in the waves crashing onto the land with brutal force. Walking along the cliffs was quite a challenge.

The Azure Window, Gozo

Crashing waves on Gozo's western shoreline

  

If you like the sea…

With the wind whipping across the island and temperatures hovering bellow the twenties, entering the sea would be brave/foolish/plain stupid (delete as appropriate). I took the plunge on one of the calmer mornings, as you’ll see below. Having tunnel vision for only the sea, I didn’t spot that the golden sands quickly turned into rock…

The beaches are lovely and were incredibly quiet, possibly owing to the fact that natives feel that this weather is fairly chilly.

Golden Bay beach, Malta

Ramla Bay beach, Gozo

  

If you like food and drink…

There are local vineyards in Malta and the wine is fairly quaffable. Unlike the beer, which was pretty ordinary.

A taverna selling Malta's national dish

We didn’t sample the local delicacy of rabbit as restaurants were fairly expensive. We did try some traditional desserts, with our favourite being kwarezimal, a chewy cake eaten during the period of Lent.

Kwarezimal

Malta is a lovely place to visit. As I’ve mentioned before, it is probably an entirely different beast in the summer when millions flock to its sandy beaches. Malta Island has been affected by tourism much more than Gozo, resulting in us preferring the smaller landmass. Both are pleasant destinations where one’s sense of adventure can certainly be satisfied.

Love you all

Matt

Malta – The ups and downs of the tourist industry

February 13-21

Hello everyone!

The Maltese archipelago is situated roughly 100km south of Italy. It advertises itself as having over 300 days of sunshine every year and possesses many natural beaches with different colours of sand and sea. It is little wonder, therefore, that Malta is a popular tourist destination.

According to the steps in the airport, over 4 million people pass through Malta’s only airport every year. The population of the country was approximately 423,000 in 2013. Simply put, that is a massive influx. Most will visit in summer, when the temperature soars well above the 15°C (apparently this is the mildest winter Malta has experienced in decades) which this week has averaged.

Image from the Times of Malta showing Comino in the summer

We were staying out of season, which resulted in having copious space on the most popular beaches and being able to eat at restaurants without making reservations. We were able to visit Malta’s most spectacular scenery, such as the Azure Window in western Gozo, in relative peace.

The Azure Window, Gozo

Ramla Bay, Gozo

  

That’s not to say that we were the only tourists here. Our flight from Frankfurt was full and we met many British families enjoying their half-term break in the southern sunshine. It made me wonder, however, what the tourist hotspots such as St. Julian’s and the main beaches must be like in June, July and August. The thought, and volume of people, sent shivers down my spine. Sardines on a small island.

Image from the Times of Malta showing a Maltese beach during the summer

  

Malta has built its economy on tourism. It’s understandable why they chose this path; there are monstrous profits to be made from the industry. As a visitor, it makes life much easier, which I know and accept.

Mellieha has a great reputation

In the days before the internet, this was how many tourists and expats kept up with news at home

Yet it also spoils the landscape and forces many into an industry they would rather avoid. Hotels looming large and casting shadows over beaches. Narrow roads clogged with numerous sightseeing buses which are far too big. Prices rising to the point that we didn’t visit the ancient temples on Gozo. I also can’t shake the images of ‘lads on tour’ holidays when pondering a Maltese summer.

The Radisson Blu hotel hanging over the Golden Bay beach, Malta

This problem is certainly not restricted to Malta. I would also be a hypocrite to criticise as it makes it much easier for me to visit these places. What I don’t like is when it starts to affect the very things – and people – which people are visiting for.

The other thing we noticed as we drove around Malta is how seasonal the tourists must be. Some restaurants, which would undoubtedly be heaving in the summer months, were permanently closed during our time here. Some areas resembled ghost towns at times, with very little happening and very few people walking around.

A popular restaurant which was available to let in Mellieha

  

The main anomaly to all of this was the capital, Valletta. This did not strike me as being geared towards tourists. In fact, Valletta gave off the impression of a working capital city. It was busy but the noise was coming from locals doing their business rather than invaders snapping selfies.

The main street passing through Valletta

A car park in Valletta with Fort St. Elmo in the background

  

I don’t know if I would want to visit Malta in the summer. It would be a completely different experience and one which summons negative images in my mind: cramped beach space, no parking, and fewer places to escape to relative quiet. I’m very happy that we visited out of season, allowing us the freedom to move around and explore this lovely country.

Ships in the Cottonera in February - imagine this in July...

Beautiful Gozo

  

Love you all

Matt