North to Poland

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It's funny what the heat does to you, we actually ended up enjoying our 8 hour bus journey, knowing with every minute the heat was being left behind as we climbed into the mountains.

We were originally planning to go to the Slovakian side of the Tatras Mountains but this proved logistically problematic. It was just as well really, as the Polish side turned out to be lovely.

Our accommodation was a hostel which turned out to be nestled in the forest at the edge of the National Park. A really nice place, very relaxing after a long days walk. We had a few days to explore the mountains so headed first to a couple of lakes along with most of Poland it seemed. We have never seen so many people walking a nature trail all at once before, it was more like a crowd heading to a concert. Never the less the lakes were very nice, and the weather even behaved itself.

We decided to take on something more challenging for our next trek, and decided to head deeper into the park and climb one of the prominent peaks in the area, Giewont. The scenery was magnificent and the walk itself was just what we were after - long, steep and tiring. The final part of the ascent was even steeper, and required the use of ropes and cunning footwork but the view was fantastic from the top. Fleeing down the mountain just ahead of an approaching storm, we arrived back in town hungry and tired, but more than satisfied with ourselves.

A couple of hours drive from the mountains and we reached Krakow, with it's giant medieval square and bustling old town. We didn't have much planned for our stay and spent the time soaking up the atmosphere and refreshments from some of the trendy local bars the city has on offer.

Still heading north, we boarded a train to Warsaw, where we were to transfer onto our overnight bus to Vilnius in Lithuania. Some bugger decided to cancel the train service so we spent the next 10 hours sandwiched in a cramped, crowded bus. Despite that, the Baltic States awaited and we were excited to be on our way there!

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Photos

Zakopane Hostel
We were pleasantly surprised at the setting for our first hostel in Poland - and right across the road from the National Park entrance!

Dorm room view
Not a bad view for a dorm

Endless Forest
It seemed to go on and on

On the Mountain
After several hours climb, we reached a gorgeous mountain valley

Up Up and More Up
A little further on we saw what was to come, not realising there was even more beyond that

Fauna and Flora
A nice nature photo (in truth a jolly good reason to stop for a rest)

Evening in Krakow
Things start to get busy in the main square

Flower Markets Krakow
Didn't see anyone buy anything but they certainly looked nice

Inside the Castle
The church inside the castle

Krakow Street
Don't know what all the flags were about but they were very colourful