Some of my foreign friends still believe that Poland is this part of the world, where you can meet white bears walking down the streets. Indeed, it happens that wild animals approach human settlements, including roads, in search of food. Nonetheless, there is nothing strange in this and you can immediately understand the motivation behind animal behavior if you take into account the typical characteristics of Polish winter. All of them connected with rather low temperatures. Though, it might possibly be of no comfort to you, nor my Polish comrades, still I dare to risk the statement that it is too hot in Poland for polar bears. Hopefully, winter will take it as a provocation on my side and finally sponsor long awaited real frosts below 20 degrees Celsius. At least for a few days. There is no better blessing for the Polish winter landscape than persistent snow and ice cover that make Poland attractive even in harsh weather conditions. Keep thumbs for all of the below! FROST Though one might not necessarily be the happiest in the world to fight with frozen windows in their cars, one thing is obvious: without frost there would be no winter. At least it would not be able to show off with all of the beautiful shades of its white face. WINDOW FERNS Old architecture has it that due to its construction solutions it might loose much more heat than contemporary housing. Still it allows for the appearance of unique natural phenomena, otherwise not possible, for example window ferns. MISTS Mists often accompany temperature fluctuations in winter, sometimes plunging the whole world around in dense milky fog. It also has its charm! ICE FLOE I guess there might be no more mystic natural winter sound than the rustling of ice moving with the current of the river. My latest discovery! SNOW To have Poland that white way all winter round is at least my deepest wish. I have no doubt that I prefer it all white than gloomy gray, but ther is no other way to achieve this without going back to the top of the list: frost.
December is certainly this month of the year, when frosts become not only severe, but also visible. In very special circumstances they take the sublime form of the so called window ferns, flowers or trees. Such views become less and less popular as Polish houses become warmer thanks to technological innovations. All it takes to watch this unique spectacle of nature is to find a house with old-fashioned windows. Let me also label window ferns with the badge POLISH ACCENT.
If you dream about romantic walks down empty beaches, there is no better moment to do this than visit the Polish seaside in early Autumn. It is rather cold, but nothing comes at no price. Early Autumn at the Polish Baltic Sea has for sure many other advantages than crowdy and noisy summer can offer you here. Let me share with you photos from a few nice spots in Gdynia and Sopot, which together with Gdańsk form the metropolitan area of Tricity (Trójmiasto). GDYNIA A beach close to the port of Gdynia, where you can see the famous sailing vessels: a museum ship Dar Pomorza (one of the 8 branches of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk) and the sail training ship Dar Młodzieży, another museum ship and the oldest preserved destroyer in the world ORP Błyskawica, and many other ships. Pigeons are everywhere in Poland. Even at the seaside - trying to blend with the seagulls. Another common Polish bird the cormorant spread his wings to dry them up in the sea breeze. ORŁOWO Gdynia-Orłowo is for sure one of the most picturesque sights in the Tricity. One of my favorite ones at least. Enjoy a tasty break in the local restaurant with the view on the legendary colorful fishing boats. Still running every day to provide you with fresh fish. You can buy them here straight from the fisherman. Take a walk by the beach to the famous Orłowski Cliff. At this time of the year the beech forests growing on the steep slopes turn on spectacularly colorful. SOPOT A visit to Sopot would not be complete without a walk down the logest wooden pier in Europe - 450 metres from the edge of the shore, 650 m total. In the background the Sheraton Sopot Hotel. On the right hand side the legendary Grand Hotel. Both hotels are symbols of luxury. Possibly a dream of many tourists visiting the seaside every year. From clubs to coffeehouses, in summer nightlife in Sopot flourishes. However, even in Autumn there are many places that welcome to take a break and enjoy the splendid mood of this seaside resort town. The side streets of Sopot are lined with unique wooden architecture. An unusually shaped building in Sopot. The crooked little house Krzywy Domek is part of the Rezydent shopping center. For the end my favorite Autumn accent from the trip to Tricity. The park along the Aleja Piłsudskiego in Gdynia. Amazing, isn't it?! Hopefully soon I will share with you a few views from the third city that forms Tricity: Gdańsk. There are definately a couple amazing nooks and crannies to see there!
If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/ I think someone is watching me ... Visionary builder among animals. For humans its visionary constructions are rather incomprehensible and often synonymous with a real apocalypse. Especially if you are a true defender of trees. In the Middle Ages beavers were one of the commonest animals in Poland only to become almost extinct in the 19th century due to excessive hunting. Indeed, hunters appreciated beaver hunting for many reasons: meat, fat, tail, fur and skin, once believed to be precious enough to substitute money. It comes as no surprise then that in the 11th century one of the Polish kings Bolesław Chrobry introduced first laws to protect these animals and even appointed a special official to watch the observence of these laws. It turned out to be of no help as the number of beavers was shrinking dramatically until they became completely extinct in the 19th century. The population was recovered in the beginning of the 20th century and today there are almost 70 thousand beavers in Poland. Times have changed and also the attitude to beavers has changed. Today beavers are often perceived as pests. It is partly related to the fact that except for humans they have no natural enemies, so their number constantly grows, they are very expansive and their activity is almost unlimited. They are often responsible for the floodings of fields and meadows, they bite and cut down trees, destroy dykes, embankments and even undermine the communication paths. To put it short, they have many enemies - all of them have a human face. Still there are places where beavers reside afar from human habitats and their activity is believed to be not only harmless, but even salutory to the natural environment. They can cut almost any tree up to 1 meter in diameter to built lodges, which they constantly keep on rebuilding, enriching and tiding in the same manner as they care for their own hygene. This extremely vigilant animal can scare you to death, especially if you approach its habitat at night – then it may decide to dive into the water hitting the surface with its powerful tail. This is a warning sign against an intruder for the other members of the flock! One of many signals of a very complex communication system. A beaver is definately a family type. Monogamous. Caring for the family. If you happen to observe beavers build lodges during the day, you may believe yourself to be very lucky! By nature, beavers are in fact nocturnal animals. They are extremely skittish and can stay under water for a very long time. Dive masters! The funny thing is that this rare occasion to observe beavers by day coincided with the supermoon, which is also refered to as the Beaver Moon in Anglosaxon and Asiatic countries.
If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/ 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!
If you liked this post, let me invite you to like my official fb profile: https://www.facebook.com/polandforbeginners/ 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/ |
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
March 2019
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VICTORIA TUCHOLKA |
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