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VICTORIA TUCHOLKA |
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October in Poland. Though usually rather cool, rainy and cloudy, sometimes can suprise with sunny weather and decent temperatures, but what makes it most attractive is the overwhelming blaze of colors. One of the many secluded paths in the Polish forests at the epicenter of the explosion of colors. Personally, the amazing flora of this place reminded me of Kurosava films. I could imagine a Japanese samurai waiting behind one of the colorful bushes only to block your way. These leaves were so fiery orange-red I guess the million colors of the camera's matrix were just not enough to catch it. And now imagine a group of horsemen walking down this path. Quite a cinematic experience! You can also have it, if only you visit the horseriding association Stowarzyszenie Jeździeckie "Szarża" in Brwinów, Poland. If you do it soon, you might still make it for this remarkable views!
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The pine forest aparently looks least attractive at this colorul autumn period in Poland when the heads of the deciduous trees turn yellow, orange and red. However nothing gets lost in nature and other plants benefit in this modest entourage. Hopefully also mushrooms! Heathers grow abundantly in clearances in the woods. Their pink carpets look especially impressive when they expand on the vast forest meadows. Blue Juniper berries are a spice used in a wide variety of dishes. Especially in meat dishes. They grow everywhere in Polish forests and in their shapes remind me of the cacti on the dessert. I collected them to comfort myself just in case we do not find any mushrooms today. Cladonia fimbriata. The stalks of this fructicose lichen take the unique shape of cups. Lichens are pioneer species, among the first living things to grow on bare rock or areas denuded of life by a disaster. Lichens are often used for the sake of monitoring air quality as they can accumulate several environmental pollutants such as lead, copper, and radionuclides. Finally, mushrooms. Quite a discovery on this battlefield! Lazy bones we are! It took us long to finally set off on our hunt, so probably most mushrooms have already been picked. However, we ended up with six quite descent mushrooms that day. Just enough to make tweaked scrambled eggs next morning. Never enough of admiring the beauties of the forest. Though poisonous these downy hats reminded me of the famous Swan Lake and its ballerinas dressed in pure white. If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/
A rare and unique view of cattle driven down town in Kurpie Region, Poland If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/
That's no paradise! We're in Poland! Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) This common, but rare bird is characteristic for clean rivers, streams and lakes! If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/
Bieszczady - a mountain range running from the extreme South-East of Poland through Ukraine and Slovakia is one of the wildest parts of Poland! Colloquially reffered to asBiesy, demons in Polish, following the folk belief in the demonic element involved in the creation of the moountains. The nights here are pitch-black, sky starry, forest mystic, views stunning, roads curvy. Impossible to count all the idiosyncracies of this highland hermitage! Go Polish "Wild East"! Here a few tips how to be 100% satisfied with a trip to Biesy! BOOK A ROOM IN ADVANCE NO VACANCIES. Source: http://5.57.128.222:8080/MyWeb/grupawschodu/pilotaz/brak_miejsc.png In the holiday season even a month in advance, off season two weeks in advance, unless you are looking for adventure ;) Indeed, there is no shortage of green grass to pitch a tent even in the middle of the Bieszczadzki National Park. Of course everything at a price – entrance fee to the park and campsite fee at a chosen mountain shelter. There are five main shelters in Bieszczady offering various conditions. In some showers will be included in the price (the shelter “pod Małą Rawką”), in others you will have to walk 10 minutes to the nearest mountain stream to take a bath (“Chatka Puchatka” [Winnie-the-Pooh’s house]) :) The sheleters Schronisko Jaworzec and Schronisko pod Małą Rawką were most often recommended by my friends - Biesy lovers. Though, of course it all depends on your indidual expectations. A STAY IN A MOUNTAIN SHELTER IS A “MUST” ...for a self-respecting tourist who really wants to experience Bieszczady to their fullest, at least in my humble opinion. In general wherever you will go to the mountains in Poland, shelters are something very specific for the local folklore. Anyway, it is a good idea to stay in any place close to the entrances to the main trails. But let’s be reasonable – it is equally nice to stay in a more peaceful place off the main tracks. Personally, I would recommend a nice guesthouse next to the wild and forest Otryt mountain range – Rajski Gościniec [Paradise Guesthouse]. High-quality rooms in a peaceful and picturesque area in the estuary of River San to the biggest artificial reservoir in Poland - Lake Solina. Do not let yourself be fooled – maybe it is artificial, but you would never guess if you did not know about it. Trust me! EXPLORE THE POLONYNAS FOR THE START The red trail on Połonina Wetlińska A polonyna is a landform, an area of subalpine and alpine meadows in the upper zone of the Eastern Beskids (Ukrainian Carpathians, Bieszczady Mountains, etc.), used as pasture. It is also one of the most picturesque elements of the Bieszczady's landscape. The two most famous polonynas in Bieszczady are Połonina Wetlińska and Połonina Caryńska. They both lie in one line with a shelter half way – the famous highest situated Chatka Puchatka [Winnie-the-Pooh’s House] (Beware! Spartan conditions! ;) The climb offers a taste of a little bit of everything – remarkable and picturesque beech forests (especially in late Autumn), large colorful polonynas and stunning mountain panoramas. No matter where you will start, which way you will go, where will you stay – it is a breathetaking experience! Personally, I would recommend to start in Wetlina and walk east in the direction of Ustrzyki Górne; though to experience the red trail to its fullest it would be best to start even earlier – in Cisna, but then it is better to start the journey early in the morning with a stay in the shelter overnight to continue to the end. As Chatka Puchatka offers rather spartan conditions, the price of a coffee can be very high up there. It is also connected to the fact that there is no direct access to water there, the water has to be carried up there from the city orfrom the nearest stream. A good place to appreciate the value of water! Blueberries! Yummy! You will find them everywhere in the polonynas! Beeches - these blue trees are one of the most characteristic trees of the local forests CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN A view on the Tarnica from Szeroki Wierch. Tarnica is a peak composed of two closesly situated summits dividied from the Szeroki Wierch by a deep pass Climbing Tarnica would be another trip I would recommend to you. Tarnica lies in the most South-Eastern part of the Bieszczadzki National Park. It is the highest peak in the Polish Bieszczady Mountains. It is also one of the least touristicly developed areas of Bieszczady. You will not find any shelter in this range. You will not get any coffee or tea there. You need to prepare yourself well for this hiking trip, because it is not an easy climbing, but the views are really worth it. The area offers yet different kind of views from Połoninas Wetlińska and Careńska. The 360 degrees breathetaking panoramas of the whole Bieszczady, including amazing viewpoint on the Ukrainian Carpathians from Tarnica. Ukrainian Carpathians One of the last poisonous blue willow gentians on the polonynas this autumn The schematic map of hiking trails in Bieszczadzki National Park with approximate timings to walk from one point to another. You might find it helpful in planning your hiking! LET YOURSELF WANDER AROUND An old wooden brindge on Solinka River somewhere on the way from Terka to Dołżyca There are of course many other ranges to explore in Bieszczady. If you would like to have a taste of less touristicly crowded but more demanding trails take a walk in the Otryt range. From what I have learned lately, Otryt range is one of the best places to watch wildlife. Especially deer. A fox spotted by the main trail. Totally relaxed despite great interest on the part of tourists! However, there are also many amazing sites on the way along the Small Bieszczadzki Loop and Big Bieszczadzki Loos - the two main roads in Bieszczady. Beautiful viewpoints, for example in Lutowiska, high rocky slopes on the way from Rajskie to Czarna Góra or old bridges like the one on the way from Terka to Dołżyca. These are just some of the endless attractions we found on our way. The roads here are very curvy with numerous twists and many bridges on the San and Solinka Rivers. At night it gest totally dark here, so it is better not to leave looking for accomodation to the very last moment ;) Go Wild East! If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/ One of the many sleepy off season Polish cities. A city with a very long history and a not much shorter Old Town market. Reputedly the longest market square in Europe. 380 meters! But it was not the market itself that made a lasting impression on me... ...but one of the old tenement houses... ...with a baroque facade of columns and bronze lion heads... ...a shelter to a shop which looked almost as if time has stopped... ...if only it was not a watchmaker's workshop. If you walk down the market square you will reach the green gates of the Polonia Castle. The courtyard is a one big rosary. Pułtusk, in my opinion, deserves attention for high quality landscape architecture. All green areas from a small roundabout to the castle's courtyard are here neatly and richly kept. Polonia Castle is nowadays an exclusive hotel and restaurant. Many guidebooks praise its gastronomy worth a respectful gentleman. If you dare to go in, you must try the crayfish bisque! A local speciality! After a lavish dinner it is for sure recommended to take a walk down the alleys of the castle park and sit down on one of the benches with a view on one of the green gates... ...or explore mysterious nooks and crannies, which will take you in a journey in time and space. Depending on your imagination to an Aztec temple... ...or a Roman amphitheater. This is for sure a unique opportunity to finally have one's own day! An oratory worth a true speaker! However, if you are looking for a romantic corner, you will find it for sure on the picteresque banks of the Narew channel. A view to which Pułtusk undoubtedly owes its seemingly pompous title of the Masovian Venice! In my opinion, Pułtusk is a beautiful place, but this beauty is not that obvious. It demands a little bit of effort on the tourist who visits the city. At first sight Pułtusk might seem sleepy and gloomy, especially off-season, and this mood might influence your impressions of the place. It needs time, a longer and patient walk to get accustomed to it and be able to notice small idiosyncracies here and there. For sure, it is best to visit the city in the holiday season when different festivals take place and the city attracts guests from outside of the city. Off season better come here on Saturday or during the week, when you will be able to go in the small local shops, such as the above mentioned watchmaker's workshop. The only lively place on Sunday is the Polonia Castle. Of course, at a high price. Some also claim that the title Masovian Venice is a bit pompous, because the city is as if closed inside out to the Narew canal surrounding it, but I guess it is just a question of expectations. The first idea that came up my mins when I saw the canal was Venice and it immediately influenced my impression of the city without even the knowledge of its proud title and I guess it is the best title one could ever come up with. Let's not be that petty! 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Bieszczady - a mountain range running from the extreme South-East of Poland through Ukraine and Slovakia is one of the wildest parts of Poland! Colloquially reffered to as Biesy, demons in Polish, following the folk belief in the demonic element involved in the creation of the moountains. The nights here are pitch-black, sky starry, forest mystic, views stunning, roads curvy. Impossible to count it all out. Let us invite you to our story about this highland hermitage! Go Polish "Wild East"! COMING SOON! If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/ Stopping by one of the many roadside stalls by the Polish roads is a "must" for a self-respecting tourist! If you do it, you can be 100% sure you are not only buying Polish fruits and vegetables directly from the farmer, but also a unique story about Polish cottage. You have this remarkable chance to meet simple people, talk to them, exchange smiles. Even if you do not know Polish, do not worry, sometimes the best language is body language. Smiles, looks, gestures. The sign above my head says: "PUMPKIN ENTRANCE". Autumn is this part of the year in Poland, when pumpkins reign on almost all stalls, marketplaces and in shops. Apart from them you will also find paprika, garlic, onion, potatoes and many others. To put it short, all the richness of this year's yields. Don't forget about Polish apples! Autumn is also the season when apple orchards bear fruit. Red accents on endless apple orchards'carpets make them look so beautiful! 1001 shad(p)es of the Polish pumpkin Monsters! Good luck to those of you who decide to change these in a soup!
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POLAND FOR BEGINNERS
Hi! My name is Victoria. Welcome to my personal travel photoblog about Poland created especially for you, my foreign friends, who are curious about Poland!
ABOUT MEEnglish philologist and film editor by education. Translator by occupation. A lover of my motherland Poland and globetrotter with journalist ambitions. Passionate about photography. I love traveling, active way of spending time and contact with nature. Experience and explore - that is what drives me! I am on the look for happy islands. Archives
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