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CHEESEQUEST2026

Day - 51 Bamberg

Just a Perfect Day

Bamberg is just one of those lovely towns everything feels right. Interesting history and architecture and not too big. But not so small it doesn't have everything you need including great public transport. Barb and I just spent the whole day wandering the town.

There were obviously highlights though. Mine being the cathedral where Holy Roman Emperor Henry 2 was buried. Not my favourite Emperor, and probably the one who made the mistakes leading to Germany being fractured rather than a proper state like England or France. But that's a bar argument for another day.

Barb's highlight was probably the beer. Bamberg is famous for its beer especially its smoked beer, rauchbier. We had lots of beer. Plus lunch with some tasty Ziegenkäse fried like a spring roll. Super.

Then we wandered streets, gardens hills, parks, and got lost several times. Fortunately there was cheese back at the hotel to comfort us.

Schnittkäse - red schmear cheese. Firm texture and surprisingly little smell. All the hints of funk were in the taste.

Butterkäse - mild soft, slightly lumpy crumb tasting a bit like a mild colby. Cheesemonger called it a 'Breakfast Cheese'.

Gletscher Rebell - 15 month old. Some crystallization. Like a very nice aged cheddar, but slightly more umami. Delicious.

Schweizer Schnittkäse - 4 month bierkase, rind smells funky but the cheese was mild. A moist texture and it just got better and better eating it. Almost sheepy.



Quest: 269/500

Steps: 809,500

CHEESEQUEST2026

Day 49 - Prague

A Day of Pleasant Surprises

Another fun-packed day. Starting with a trip to the palace and gardens of the Czech senate. It's stunning to be reminded the country is only 30 years old.

Then up to the castle and a walk down the golden street. The armour display was off the charts. Then a boring church and castle. The highlight there being the window where a defenestration started the horrific 30 years war.

Then a non-boring church. In fact, a glorious cathedral. I took so many pictures of stained glass.... It was also where they buried Carl 4, as mentioned previously, possibly my favourite Holy Roman Emperor.

All that work required a rest in the nearby park where we recharged with some cheese.

Hermelin - the local version of camembert. Fine.

Jadel Uznay - had high hopes as I like string cheese, but like chewing on a salt lick. And the smoke seemed artificial. Disappointing.

Pineapple Cheese - from the Netherlands where apparently this is a thing. And OMG I wish it was a thing in NZ too. Just a slightly sharp cream cheese perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the pineapple. Rocket into my top 3 cheese so far.

Fully cheesed, off to a tour of a distillery. It was a bit fancy, with movies, and a 5D video experience. But, it was fun and educational. You got to be a plum.

Finally, off to see a giant Franz Kafka head rotate (Google if you want a video) then buy some Italian cheese. And we still had time for dinner at Bohemia Goose which had great food and even better wall art. Oh, then more cheese and beer later.

Jadel S Korenim - like the string cheese yesterday, but with chili. Better balance than the smoked, but still like eating salt.

Taveny Smetanovy Syr - boring cream cheese. Could be from Philadelphia.

Uzeny Taveny Syr - highly processed red wax log, plasticky texture but oddly moorish. I suspect soilent green.



Quest: 257/500

Steps: 772,600

Sorry all, the Mousetrap needed some extra rest this week, so no Motueka Sunday Market . See you soon!