2016 Europe Trip: Days 5-7 Poland

Day 5: Krakow Poland

The night train was probably one of the better ones I have been on, although we did not get the best sleep, it wasn't terrible.  We awoke about an hour before Krakow and enjoyed watching the scenery out the train window.  Upon arriving in Krakow, we purchased our tickets for the train that would take us to Czestochowa that evening.  Then we found a storage locker for our bags and headed into Krakow. 

We wished we would have grabbed breakfast at the train station/mall as we did not find many bakery’s along the way.  We made our way to the main square in Krakow – taking pictures of a tall cathedral, Cloth Hall and finding Hard Rock Café.  

From the Square, we wondered toward what we thought was the Jewish district, but had gotten turned around at the square and ended up going west instead of east.  But we found a bakery and had brunch.  

We made our way back to the square and this time took the right street that led to the Castle.  We did not pay to tour this castle, but did enjoy walking around the grounds of the castle.  

We walked through the Jewish district over the bridge and made our way to Schindler’s Factory.  This was a very interesting tour seeing many artifacts and reading about the events that took place both in Krakow and surrounding area as well as the role Schindler and his factory played. 

We walked back across the the bridge and walked along the river until we came back to the castle.  

Below the castle was a fire-breathing Dragon that we wanted to get a picture of for the boys.  I included the tale of the Wawel Dragon.  

We then walked back toward the main square.  Along the way we stopped in Karmello Chocolate store we had passed earlier.  The options were a little overwhelming, so I think we picked almost one of everything that was chocolate/hazelnut/caramel and non—alcoholic.  We are kicking ourselves for not getting a box to bring home with us, but we did enjoy our variety of chocolates over the next few days.  Back in the main square we found a café for early dinner where we enjoyed a caprese salad and peurogies.  

As we sat out in the square, we were able to watch a parade of individuals dressed in medieval costumes parade past us. 

As we walked back to the train station, we picked up a water color of the main square in Krakow.  

The wrong Train....We returned to the train station on time and thought we were on the right platform for our train, but a conductor told us we were not, so we went to another platform going to the right place, but it was the wrong train, but everyone pointed us to this train.  So we ended up on the “slow” train to Czestochowa putting us in an hour later than we should have – what an adventure.  Kamil picked us up and they had wonderful homemade pizza waiting for us when we arrived at their house. 

I love European homes and there home had been beautifully updated and was so nice!  It was also great to sleep on a bed again! 

Day 6: Czestochowa, Poland

Chris and I joined Kamil the next morning for a workout at the city track.  

Chris joined Kamil for a running clinic and I found a spot in the shade and did a body weight tabata.  

After breakfast, Kamil and Ewa took us into Czestochowa to one of the largest cathedrals in Poland – Jasna Gora Monastery which they called the Holy Mountain.  

It was quite busy as there were many there visiting.   

We climbed the tower and had beautiful view of the city and surrounding area!  

We were then able to walk through much of the cathedral which had many beautiful stained glass and paintings. 

After our tour of the Monastery, Kamil and Ewa then took us down town to a little middle eastern café where we enjoyed a homemade watermelon lemonade, a chicken pie, a bowl of chicken curry and a nice chocolate and berry dessert!   

We spent the rest of the evening out in the countryside for a hike.  

We ended up hiking over to Olestyn Castle ruins  which provided a beautiful view of the small village and then Czestochowa 7 miles away. 

Day 7: Szenchya to Ostrava

We packed up and the next morning and rode to Szenchya where Kamil was completing a sprint triathlon.  It was a beautiful warm day and we enjoyed watching the mini-triathlon.  

After the race, we went into the town and had an amazing dinner at a restaurant with some of Kamil’s friends and their families who had also competing in the triathalon.  Chris and I both tried a soup and 2 different peurogies.  It was quite a a filling meal.  The complimentary white chocolate gelato was amazing! (and all for $25!)

Kamil and Ewa then took us down to the main square of Pszczyna.  They were having one of their yearly celebrations, so the square and palace were filled with people.  This would be a nice place to return to visit and spend more time on the palace grounds.  

Kamil and Ewa were then very generous and drove us across the border to Ostrava in the Czech Repulic where we were staying that night.  After saying our goodbyes and getting settled in our hotel room at the Radison Inn, we walked into town and found a grocery store a few minutes before closing to pick up some food to have for breakfast.  It was very quiet and not many people were out.