Poland - Tatra Mountains

Tatra Mountains

 After our FIC meetings in Poland, our family took a mini 3-day vacation in the mountains.  We were more than blessed by our time in Zakopane, Poland!  We were surprised when we arrived with "December snow" as one local told us.  A good old snowstorm!  It was beautiful.  But coming from Africa, we weren't exactly prepared for that kind of snow.  It was so fun!  But cold!  The first day we chilled in the coolest thermal baths (not cold, but cool hot tubs) watching the snow.  Then Josh and I walked down the main street in the snow and bought wool socks, shoes for Josh that don't let water inside, and some gloves to keep us warm.  What an adventure!  The snow made everything so beautiful!  However, it did limit our mountain views the first couple days and we couldn't go up the gondola in a whiteout.  

We loved Zakopane and the mountain area because it felt like a whole different culture and had a lot of culture.  We never saw another American and only heard English people speaking a couple times.  We loved being where most tourist haven't been.  I bit challenging (aka stressful) at times with most things in Polish, but we managed.  

We walked downtown and went up the mountain on a funicular (never heard that word before).  We had gorgeous mountain views.  We got warm in a cultural restaurant, had a cappuccino and a wonderful view of the mountains.  I loved it!

We went to a huge thermal bath (aka waterpark).  Indoor and outdoor pool and waterslides all at 95 degrees.  Perfect!  Makai was in his glory as he took like two hot baths a day when we were in Michigan.  We had a lot of fun.  

Our last day was a perfect sunny day.  We went to Morskie Oko Lake.  It was breathtaking!  We took a horse drawn carriage an hour up the mountains to a lake in the mountains.  The view on the way up was great.  We had to walk the last 1.5km but it was beautiful, quiet and cool (lots of snow up there but we were warm from the sun and walking).  Although my youngest kids complained the whole walk, the destination was worth it!  The mountains were huge and all around us.  The lake was frozen over and covered with snow.  It was one of those places that you stood back and thought, how great is our God!  I could have stayed all day in awe of the scenery.  Josh and I took a short walk down the path around the lake.  It was perfect - perfect peace, perfect setting, perfect person to be with.  We had lunch with our kids at the cafe looking out at the mountains.  (With my cappuccino!  Sensing a theme?!)  It was the perfect day and I think it was the top 5 most beautiful places I've been to.

I will let the pictures say the rest.  We did wish we had one more day seeing we didn't get to go on the gondola up the mountains to the Slovakian boarder.  I guess it gives us a good reason to go back some day.  Here's hoping! 

Welcome to snowy Zakopane!

Enjoying the hot water on a snowy day!

Going up the mountain...

The snow came in again and the mountains disappeared.

Yes, we were cold!

We all enjoyed our hot tub pool - so fun in the snow.
And the sauna - for a minute.  When in Poland, do as the Polish!

Our cool bedroom view!

                                       

Snow but still no shirt!

Thermal Baths

Luka's waterslide - I would never!!!

 This is Oscypek the local smoked cheese made from salted sheep's milk only made in Tatra Mountians.

Josh and I went on a date for local food, culture and music.

This is Oscypek cheese they warm and serve with cranberry sauce and bacon! 

Olympic ski jump

Our wagon ride up the mountain.

                                                                              Makai was freezing and took a nap under the blanket.

Breathtaking beauty everywhere!

Our 1.5km hike the rest of the way.

Emalai wrapped up in a blanket.

Morskie Oko Lake

Besides the incredible view for lunch, I ordered grilled cheese and got a piece of grilled cheese served with cranberry.  Funny but I loved it!

Emalai was freezing our whole trip and the boys shed their coats walking in the sunshine.

Ride down

Ok, so in Poland you have to pay for most toilets and with a family of five that go often it became quite a joke how much we were spending on going to the bathroom!

The gondola we didn't get to do...next time!