As usual, we were all keen to get back on our bikes. For all my worries, my bum was not the least bit sore - thank goodness for padded shorts and a nice Royal Gel seat. The bruise on my right inner thigh had been complemented overnight by one on my left inner thigh. Gradually it became apparent that I was banging into the water bottle cage every time I got off to stop. I was much more careful after that.
![IMG_4993](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2873431908_3563630337.jpg)
We rode into central Melnik and had some time to explore after stocking up on water and snacks.
![IMG_4998](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2873544280_4b77e25301.jpg)
![IMG_5022](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2873437234_037da419a7.jpg)
Melnik town square
![IMG_5031](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2873440468_8ce9422e0e.jpg)
![IMG_5035](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2872613895_7f6888e2ce.jpg)
We even had a mid-morning wine tasting at the castle.
![IMG_5040](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2873448758_261a01bab7.jpg)
![IMG_5002](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2873434878_54c83e98ff.jpg)
The Vltava River meets the Elbe (or Labe, depending on your language). From this point, we rode along the Elbe.
We left Melnik and rode for a few hours to Roudnice for lunch.
![IMG_5050](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2873452826_3fa1d0febc.jpg)
![IMG_5051](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2872626055_71e2c317e8.jpg)
And onward, to Terezin Fortress.
![IMG_5053](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2872628099_4d07452ccd.jpg)
The tour notes say that it is the "site of the so-called Small Fortress of Terezin, once part of a neo-classical defensive complex constructed by Joseph II. The fortress received notoriety during the reign of the Habsburgs as a political prison, a notoriety that went on to reach new heights under the Nazis, who turned the town into a Jewish ghetto and the fortress into an internment centre. Today the fortress remains a memorial to those atrocities, with a symbolic cemetery in front of the main entrance." It was moving, awful, depressing, stark.
Apologies in advance for the disturbing photos.
![IMG_5056](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2872630403_9d07978c0a.jpg)
![IMG_5060](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2872633181_e93a1c5766.jpg)
![IMG_5069](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2873466192_6faa03e843.jpg)
While it was mainly used as a work camp, thousands of people died at Terezin from malnutrition and poor hygiene - and many more were sent to Auschwitz and other concentration camps to be gassed instead. It still makes me feel ill just to think about it. I recently finished reading Persepolis, and I am now re-reading Maus. When will people learn not to hurt each other?
On that somber note, we rode the remaining 5km or so to Litoměřice. S and I took a stroll through the main plaza and were amused to find this flashing, interactive map:
![IMG_5079](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2873472290_8841e7f337.jpg)
Click to watch the movie on youtube!
We had a nice dinner - Czech goulash - and went to sleep.
![IMG_5075](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/2873469922_bbb01753c1.jpg)
Day 3 Stats:
Distance: 41km
Roadkill: 1 bird, 1 fox, 1 snake (or maybe it was just some rope)
Weather: perfect, sunny
Fields passed: apples, pears, corn
Power plants passed: 1
Concentration camps: 1
Bruises: 2 more
Mosquito bites: 2 on elbow, 1 on back of leg, 1 on ankle
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