It all started with a rusty wreck with a leaky floor and rotten wood - well, it was love at first sight. But since we have a vivid imagination, we immediately saw our "summer residence" in it. A beautiful, modern houseboat, thanks to which we will be able to fall asleep on the waves. What we could not imagine were the hundreds of hours of work and anger that this miraculous transformation cost us. I am a furniture designer and my husband Martin is simply an incredibly handy guy. Half a year of hard work, during which we used our friends - willing temporary workers, bore fruit and now you can come and swing on the waves on our beautiful Houseboat MALI.
As soon as the worst winter in 2019 ended, we got to work. In February, we started building a mooring at Slapy, and at the same time we started reconstructing our rusty beauty. We cleaned out the interior and provided the exterior with wooden ribbing made of natural battens. Friends helped and grandma cooked, so after the first month we had a houseboat in front of us, not a wreck. In March we laid the floor from larch planks and started making and installing window frames ourselves. We fixed the sandblasted bathtub and painted it a beautiful blue.
In May the interior began to take shape. I designed it and Martin made it all. In June we installed electricity and started sewing curtains, a cushion and making a metal swing. And on June 26, 2019, not even half a year after the work began, we finally slept on the water. The first night was unforgettable. But it's hard to explain. Come and experience it.
Fitting everything into a modest 12 m2 space was a real challenge. We managed to get around it a little by placing the seating area outside on a metal structure, so the “living room” swings directly above the water surface. Mr. Želízko helped us with the swing structure and the steps into the water and onto the roof. We are advocates of an ecological approach, which is why we used a large part of recycled material for the renovation, chose a biological toilet, and use solar energy.
BUNK BED
For sleeping, Martin made you a beautiful bunk bed, the lower part of which is retractable. We like to say that 4 people can fit in our house, but it should be noted that the three at the bottom will be a bit snug :). That's why we are mostly visited by couples or families with children who don't mind seals.
CLEANSING
So that you don't have to run to the shore, we built a toilet into the space on the deck. The toilet is ecological, made of sawdust. You can easily take a bath by jumping off the deck. You have organic soaps at your disposal that don't mind the water in the dam. For greater comfort, however, you also have a simple garden pressure shower on the bow. If you leave the barrel of water in the sun, even warm water will flow.
RELAXATION SEATING
In the common area there is a wooden bench for which I created special padding. It is based on the ball rolling technique developed 30 years ago by Czech physiotherapist Zdena Jebavá. Foam balls and cylinders massage the entire body beautifully, relax the intercostal muscles, and thus help treat the upper respiratory tract and even asthma.
You can also enjoy the same relaxation on a swing suspended from a metal structure. It is the dominant feature of the boat and the most popular part of the entire houseboat. It is handmade, just like almost everything else. Well, we had a blast! But all the words of praise that are showered upon us after each stay make up for it.
ATTENTION!
We only rent the houseboat from May to September.
The kitchenette on the houseboat MALI is modest but fully functional. It has a sink for washing up and ecological cleaning products. You also have dishes and cutlery at your disposal and you can cook on a single-burner alcohol stove.
If you arrive in three or four, you will have to take turns at the dining table overlooking the dam. Or you can all sit together in the herb mini-garden that we have prepared for you at the mooring. There is also a place for a campfire, if you have an irresistible desire to fry sausages or grill something in the evening.
We will always prepare a canister with utility water for washing and 20 liters of drinking water for you before your arrival directly in your cabin.
Our most popular restaurant in the area is located a little further away, in Davli. Taverna Thessaloniki is a family business run by Vladimiros Konstantinos Hraba. Authentic Greek dishes made from fresh ingredients can be enjoyed on site, or have them packed to take with you and enjoy them by the Slapy “sea”.
You can spend hours on the bow swing. A canvas canopy will protect you from the hot sun, and fresh air cooled by the water will gently caress your face. Absolute well-being is rarely disturbed by the so-called "shimovka", a wave that has broken off the bow and is thrown onto the deck by the wind.
The area around the Slapy Dam is a favorite for cyclists, tourists and fishermen. You can plan your trips carefully or just follow your nose. Either way, you will discover beautiful nooks and crannies and breathtaking views.
Our houseboat is located near Štěchovice. The plan of the local church of St. John of Nepomuk was designed by architect Kamil Hilbert, who is also responsible for the completion of the St. Vitus Cathedral. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Štěchovice and its surroundings were one of the most popular destinations for tourists. The St. John's Streams formed beautiful, roaring rapids in an inaccessible valley full of stones. That is why the Czech Tourists Club set up its first tourist sign here in 1889. Many tramp settlements grew up in the area, some of which still exist today. For example, the Ztracenka settlement. Of the original equipment, the totem on Mravenčí skála has survived to this day, along with a column with metal linden leaves with the names of settlers who are no longer with us.
The construction of the Štěchovice and Slapská dams flooded the St. John's Streams and the rapids are now a thing of the past. Nevertheless, we recommend that you walk the local nature trail, which will take you through the romantic valley of the Vltava River. The information signs also contain QR codes that will delight your expedition with tramp songs.
Take a hike to the popular Máj viewpoint near Teletín, or Smetana's viewpoint near Třebsín. But choose your trip time wisely. In the afternoon, the roads resemble tourist anthills.
We rent our houseboat as a dwelling. It does not have a motor. So you cannot go far away from the mooring. But if your heart desires a trip on the water, we will lend you a motorboat. If you doubt your captain's skills, there is nothing easier than to pay for a wonderful steamboat trip on the Slapy Reservoir led by an experienced sea wolf.
Of course, you can also swim on the Slapy. The reservoir is lined with beautiful sandy and grassy beaches, where you can have the obligatory langos and lemonade in the summer heat. For those who like to swim without a swimsuit, the area around the reservoir offers many places hidden among the trees.
Families in particular will welcome swimming in the place Nová Rabyně, where dogs are also allowed. Children will appreciate the gradual entry into the water and the pleasant grassy beach. Nová Živohošť is a carefully maintained campsite with 3 refreshment stands and a boat and pedal boat rental. Kobylníky is not as comfortable, as the entrance to the water is rocky. However, this minor disadvantage is easily offset by the several times lower number of visitors than in other places.
In addition to the houseboat and the punt, we will also rent you a paddleboard. On a large board, you can go wherever you like on the surface, and there you can immerse yourself in your thoughts, meditate or practice yoga.
We don't have any special equipment for children, games or TV. So it's up to the parents to decide for themselves how old their child will be. We know from experience that even five-year-olds are excited about trips, swimming and swinging.
We also have life jackets for children, so ask for them. They will come in handy both on trips on the dinghy and when you want to swing with a book in your hand.
