Skeggsy’s Blog

Had a lovely continental breakfast at Villa Vita hotel before setting off for Kuznice. Walked part of way then got a horse and cart. Cable car was very busy, so went for a walk, approx 1 hour up to a good view point and had a hot chocolate in a cabin cafe. Yamini thanked me for forcing her to walk so far since the view was very good. We then walked all the way back down to Zakopane, about an hours walk (in the rain). Stopped to sample the local ’speciality’, grilled ewe’s cheese or Oscypki which looks like bread and is on sale everywhere. I didn’t like it much. Surprisingly breakfast lasted until we ate at 19:00 at Sabata.Yam had lamb in a red wine sauce which was nicer than my duck with apple (which was pretty good). Then had apple pie and cream each and a gluhwein and coffee. This and a couple of beers and cokes was 132zl (approx £30).

Up early 6:30. Made a german friend, Laura who showed us the way to the bus station on foot through the planty park. At 08:15 bought a bus ticket to Auschwitz (18zl single for two) for 09:30am, first available. Had a coffee in train station. Paid to go in toilet at train station but did not go as toilets were disgusting. Whats more you have to pay more for a number one but there was no toilet paper. At 09:00 we found our coach which was ram packed already…no seat..did not fancy standing for 2 hours so sacked that. Now missed 09:15 train so booked train ticket for tomorrow morning (19zl single for two people). Booked tickets for walking tour of Krakow for 1:45pm today. Stopped for amaretto coffee and apple pie in main square. Walked back to apartment for a short rest. Headed off to our walking tour which was very interesting and went on till about 5pm. Walked back to apartment. Figured out that our bus tickets actually had seat reservations! Decided to check out early tomorrow and go straight to Zakopane from Auschwitz so settled up apartment bill with Martine and Magda (Honey Apartment, Miodowa St, 21 - www.honeyapartments.eu) tonight. Stopped for a coffee with them. They are both very nice and have been very helpful and informative. Went out to restaurant opposite Wawel hill which serves traditional polish food. I had pork knuckle, roast potatoes, shredded beetroot and cabbage which was very nice. Yam had lamb sausage and fries. I had a couple of beers (Paulener Munich). Bill came to 63 zl (approx £14) which was incredibly reasonable.

Up about 7:00am. Stopped at supermarkt for breakfast on way to station and to buy supplies for our long train trip to Krakow. Train departs at 09:40 from Berlin Hbf. Border crossing to Poland approx 11:45am. Border police very through and walked off with our passports for 5 worrying minutes, not sure if they were going to jump off train and run off with them. The problem was that they did not know of Lewisham, but they were happy when explained that Lewisham is in London. Landscape for first half of journey is forest, farmland and small settlements. More opportunities to see live venison in the wild.
Train passes through Wroclaw at 15:30.
Train passes through Katowice at 18:14. Arrived Krakow 19:44. Caught a taxi to hotel on miodawa, 1.7km 18 zl. Walked to main square and had dinner in Wierzynek. Bill was 465 zl (£106). I had smoked assorted fish (salmon, eel and sturgeon) followed by venison seasoned with juniper. Finished off with tokai 1995 puttynos 5. Yam had herring followed by beef and then a Polish coffee (with Krupnik). Had a walk round square and then walked back to apartment (1 km).
Got back about 12:30.

Deluxe sleeper cabin on our train to Berlin is as described and includes a shower and toilet and bunk beds. Wake up call at 07:00 includes coffee and breakfast (roll,croisant and juice). Sat back and enjoyed the scenery roll by. Saw some deer and also a springer spaniel chasing the train. Train arrives Berlin hbf about 08:20. Hbf is impressive. Paid €0.80 to use ultra clean toilet. Bought a day ticket for €6.20 then walked 1100m to Reichstag. Joined queue 09:30am. Got in finally at about 11:00am. Walked to top of dome (designed by Norman Foster). Walked to Brandonburg Gate. Had a currywurst, chips and coffee from a roadside hut for €5.40. Walked/metro’d to Checkpoint Charlie. Then metro’d to Oranien-burger Tor and trekked to Kuchi where I had a strawberry calpico, red snapper and sushi. Total bill inc tip €30.
Took train to warschaemer st to see East Side Gallery, the remaining 1.3km section of the Berlin wall that is now covered in graffiti art.
Took metro/trains to hbf to pick up luggage and then to Savignyplatz and walked to our hotel (Imperial Hotel) to check in.
Took train to Hackescher Markt for food in evening. Went in Rocco. Nice location and meal was cheap at €24 for two mains and two drinks but won’t win any medals for the food or service. Back along Savignyplatz had a hot chocolate with cream and apfelstrudel with custard, Yamini had coffee and ice cream. This came to €10.50. Could live down this street!

Eurostar departs 12:57pm from st.pancreas, arrives at 16:03 in brussels. Had a hot choc for €1.75 and then put bag in left luggage €3.00. Bought metro day pass for €4 and took metro 2 to arts loi and then changed to metro 1a going to heysel. Arrived about 17:30 to see the Atomium. Then took metro 1a to saint catherine for some food. Went to La Melodie on boulevard emile jacqmain. Ordered a duvel for €3 and calzone for €11. Yam had grilled tuna for €13 and orange juice for €2.20. Total €29. Took a metro to central square and saw maniquin piss. Walked through Galeries St Hubert, built in 1847, the grande dame of Brussels shopping arcades includes Neuhaus, a chocolate shop est in 1857. Purchased 4 begian chocolates for €2.47 from Corne Port Royal Chocalatiers. Walked down Rue des Bouchers. Went for a beer in LeRoy D’Espagne, Grand Place - another Duvel (€5.90) for me and a juice (3.90) for Yamini. At least the nuts are free. Had another Duvel and then some more chocolates on the way to bruxelles midi for our sleeper train to Berlin at 23:41.