Wieliczka Salt Mines and Zakopane

The large Hall in the Salt Mine

Just one of the tunnels

Saturday

We have now left Krakow and headed towards the Wieliczka Salt mines. The temperture has now risen to 37 degrees very hot! We have been told that inside the Salt mines the temp will be 16 degrees (just like home). The walk took us 3 hours it was incredible inside and so huge. There are 300 km of tunnels we just did 2 kms you really wouldn't want to get lost down here just as well we had a guide.The largest main hall was amazing with wonderful carvings that apparently were done by just 3 miners in their spare time. Its a lovely place and well worth a visit.

After the mines we continued our journey to our next destination called Zakopane in the Tatra mountains. The views were starting to get quite spectaclar and changed quite quickly after leaving Krakow. Finally arrived at our next Hotel Willa Orla at 3.30pm we had a choice of rooms but after seeing the one that had the jakuzzi bath in it there just wasn't any competion! Lovely hotel. All the houses are wooden very much like the alpine houses in Switzerland but their own architecture. Had a meal in the Resturant nearby and had a group of musicans playing their own brand of folk music. It was lovely. Nice finish to the day with a glass of red wine.

Sunday 28th August

Slept like a log must be the mountain air. Decided on a walk into the main town as it has been raining overnight and doesn't look too promising. Yet another surprise, it was packed with tourist!! So many stalls selling verything you can think off especially in the souvenier range. Stopped for a massive doughnut and hot chocolate, whow that had so many calories very rich but nice. No good for anyone on a diet. They seem to like sweet cakes here.

Monday 29th August

Weather looks a lot more promising today so we decided to head into the mountains towards Slovakia. Stopped at Nosal which is a ski jump area. I was amazed to see ski jumpers practising on the grass slopes took some pictures as it seemed so strange. Beautiful scenery .

Bought two tickets for us to go up the mountain in the chair lift. Oh my God what was I thinking of or not thinking at all. This is my worst nightmare! I watched a few people getting on and thought well maybe I could do it after all. Immediatly as soon as we got on this thing I realised this was a big mistake. Panic really set in when Gary was freeing my handbag strap from the safety bar across our laps, I really wanted it to stop so I could jump off but realised that wasn't a good idea as by now we were more than 100 foot in the air! Gary kept talking to me in utter amazement and told me to shut my eyes but I kept peeping just to see if we were at the top. My hands were locked onto the safety bar and were rigid just like the whole of me in total fear! Got to the top and saw a few jumpers taking off, I have got so much admiration for them! Then we had to get back down.........

Well that is one experience I shall never do again.

Travelled on towards the border of Slovakia and found a road that lead to mountain lake. parked the car and were told that it was a 9km walk. Ha ha thats okay no problem. We got to the lake and then of course had the walk back. So after 18km and 4 hours later we were knackered!! It is just so beautiful here though and made up for the long trek. I must say as well that the Angora socks I have bought here are the best that I have ever bought.

Got back had a quick visit to the local hospital and I must say the Polish health system is very good and efficent. I have got an allergic reaction on my legs from the mossie spray. The Doctor said that I have got to rest put my legs up and do very little walking didn't like to tell her that Ihad just walked 18km. Have to get something.

Folk musicans