Warsaw, Poland

What a busy couple of days it has been.  Yesterday was a travel day along the new highway from Berlin to Warsaw which has recently been finished for the World Cup Soccer.  It was a wonderful road.  Along the 500 km route we stopped at Poznan, a city of 800 000 people.  We had lunch in the old city square where there was a clock which had two little goats that came out and butted heads on the hour.

In Warsaw we are staying at the Mecure Hotel which is quite comfortable.  We have been well fed - way to much to be quite honest.  Today we went on a tour to the Wilanow Palace which has furniture and artifacts from a Polish king from the late 1600s.  It has been lovingly care for and restored with many original pieces after the war being returned to their rightful place.  The parquetry floors were quite beautiful and intricate.

Around lunch time we came back to the Old Town part of Warsaw which was completely obliterated by the Germans in retribution for and uprising by the Polish people in 1944.  It has been completely rebuilt by the Polish people from the rubble of the demolished buildings.

In the old section Pam and I found a neat little cafe where we had toasted sandwiches and HOT coffee for approx $5 each!  The ice-cream was good too!!Tonight we were taken to the grounds of a church where we had a 3 course meal and drinks.  Too much food - just as well the jeans are stretchy.

The people on the trip seem to be very nice 11 Aussies, 4 New Zealanders, 8 Yanks and 6 Canadians. 

The side garden of the palace

Notice the red begonias in bloom.

Yesterday morning as Pam and I were coming down in the lift at the Hilton a lady went to get in.  I was completely blown away.  It was Louise from my trip last year to Morocco, Spain and Portugal.  We had a short catch up but unfortunately I was going one way as she was coming the other on another trip - but we did get to exchange details again.  An amazing coincidence.

 Wilanow Palace from the rear, a couple having their wedding photos taken, 

apparently a very poplar place to do this.

Linda and Louise at the Hilton in Berlin

Tomorrow it is on to Krakow, 17 degrees which will be much more chilly that the lovely weather we have had to date.