Our wooden animals love to go on adventures and discover new places. This time, we took them to the jungle – right in the centre of Prague!
That's right. There really is a jungle in the middle of Prague, Czech Republic. You can find it near Charles Square, in the botanical garden of Charles University’s Faculty of Science. They have all kinds of plants there: from medicinal to carnivorous, from fragrant roses to giant cacti, from colourful annuals to ancient trees. There’s so much to see!
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This botanical garden is kind of a hidden gem in the city centre. On several acres, you’ll find about 3,000 species of plants, a couple of greenhouses, some centuries-old trees as well as flower beds filled with flora from all over the world. The garden has been a place of science and research since 1775, but there’s plenty to discover here for everyone.
It’s the most vibrant during spring and summer. Every day, something new sprouts, grows, or blossoms! You can wander around for hours. Challenge yourself to find the most colourful flowers. Or just close your eyes and breathe in all the scents. — Or, follow our wooden friends and explore the jungle in the tropical greenhouse. Don't forget to say "hi" to the cockatoos. They’ll be over the moon. And who knows? They might say it back to you!
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What else did our toys experience in the plant kingdom? GRISEON the horse got lost somewhere. We found him hiding under a prickly pear! LABU swans bumped into a stone that told them stories from days long gone. And PIPA found a citrus tree that grows leaves in groups of three. He perched on a thorny twig. Careful, the thorns are big. But hey — they keep the pests away!
Meanwhile, three yellow POPIs marched through the tropics. The plants were bursting with colour and scent. They mesmerised them quickly. But alas: some are prickly! — What an adventure. We’re so glad we went. Warm in the sun, we’re having such fun.
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In the majestic world of plants, we all become small. Do seeds keep secrets? Do roots know it all? Do leaves whisper as they grow? Even the birds don’t have a clue. But there’s one thing we do know: each day is a chance to play — and discover something new!
Photos by Adriána Vančová
