3 Days in Krakow…

Ok. I know this is looong over due. Pics and blog posts from the other 2 places I visited during my one week break.

 

In this post, I’m going to bring you to Poland - Krakow. Not too sure about you but I didn’t hear of the place until Zhenyuan told me about it. It’s supposed to be made famous by the Spielberg movie, Schindler’s List. I haven’t caught it yet so I’m not too sure what it’s about but roughly, from Zhenyuan, it’s about a man, Schindler, and how he changes into someone who ’saves’ the Jews from someone who initially exploited them. (I’ll let you know more when I finally catch it… it’s a 3 hr movie!)

Anyway, back to the main point. Tourists who visit Krakow usually visit the Jewish District - Kazimierz, Wawel Castle, Auswich and the Wieliczka Salt Mines. What can I say, we were no different. =)

Our trip started off with us visiting the castle and the Jewish Quarters on day 1. However, the weather was really bad. It drizzled slightly, the sky was foggy and the winds were very chilly. We packed for spring so when we arrived, we were shocked. (Yes… we did not bring enough clothes!)

 

This is the second castle we visited after the one in Prague. (In my opinion, I think the one in Prague was a lot more beautiful!) Here are some photos of taken inside of the castle walls. We DID NOT go inside the State rooms, the Royal Private Apartments, the Oriental Art section or the Dragon’s Den. Why? Because it’d have cost us an arm and leg to visit all of them! (Also, we came to the conclusion that we weren’t musuem fanatics. So the ‘I’s’ have it!)

Did I mention that on our way to the castle, we passed by a church called St Peters and Paul with statues of the 12 apostles surrounding it. Picture that!

Dropped by a Bagel Shop in the afternoon which was located in the Kazimierz District. Fact : Did you know that bagels originated from Poland? Well, that’s what the flyer said! “Poland - Birthplace of the bagel’ I think it must have been true because the bagels tasted really delicious! Look at the pic!

On the following day, Zhenyuan decided to go to Auswich. We decided to give it a miss because of a few reasons. First was because it was rather expensive,(the irony is that we ended up shopping!) second was because both Zhiyi and I weren’t interested. So much for being interested in history. =)

As I said, we ended up going shopping! Walked to the Jewish Quarters in the snow, one hand holding the umbrella the other holding a map. (If I recall, we got lost. Yes, I’ve got a certain thing for getting lost.) The thoughts of how fun it’d be playing and strolling in the snow, when I was much younger, evaporated with that afternoon. Not only did it snow even heavier, the winds that came with it almost blew the umbrella away! We were so demoralised by the weather that we decided to take a cab! (We didn’t manage to get one. Thank you Murphy!)

Ended up walking all the way across the city to the indoor shopping centre. I think we covered at least 4-5km in the snow! Imagine that!

On our last day, we went to the Salt Mines. Everything inside is made of salt - all the walls, steps, sculptures, everything! (If I’m not mistaken, our tour guide told us that Krakow is the way it is today because of its salt exports.)

Here are a couple of pictures of the inside. Fancy that!

 

Oh yes. Before I sign off, I need to mention specially the hostel that we stayed in! It’s called ‘Mama’s Hostel’ and located along Bracka Street. I must say that it has to be the best hostel I’ve stayed in so far! The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful, they bothered to sit down and chat with you at night when they were off duty and they often went the extra mile just to make sure you get what you want! (well almost…)

The people who stayed there were also very fun to hang out with. Almost every night, the Spainards would ask us out to party, at 1am, and they’d stay out partying till daybreak the next day!

Hope you enjoyed Krakow from this little post! Till my next post then. Have fun, work/study hard and miss me! Will be back in store with more posts soon!