Anyone for more cabbage?

We're well on our way around Poland now having spent a couple of nights and a full day touring the capital, Warsaw. We arrived later than expected on Saturday night due to a delay in the flight from Amsterdam to Poland. The first leg went without a hitch from Luxembourg being only an hour flight. The second leg though had us spending 4+ hours in three different transit lounges before boarding the Fokker 100.

We enjoyed a good get together dinner at the Mecure with the other 13 on this two week tour. There are ten Americans, a Canadian woman and another couple from Melbourne. Together with Magdalena our guide and driver Bogus, it seems to be quite a friendly mix.

Sunday is quiet in Warsaw with not a lot open. The roads were quiet making it easy to get around to the sights to be visited for the day. We're quickly learning just how much destruction there was here during WW2 and believe only 10% of the buildings survived. As a result, there are very few pre-war buildings. Fortunately though, the Wilanow Palace was one of them still standing. Like most European Palaces, the rooms that were open gave a good insight into the lives of the former inhabitants and of course presented beautifully maintained gardens. Our timing visiting rose gardens in France spoilt us somewhat as the roses today were nearing the end of their first flowering. What we really are enjoying though is a beautiful 30 degrees. Eat your hearts out!

The forecourt of Wilanow Castle

The visit to the new-old town was amazing. It's called what it is because it is a total recreation of the original town that was 100% razed. They've done it well too incorporating pieces of rubble in some of the structures. On many walls there are plaques with the Polish resistance movement logo that was posted so often and at huge risk during the war. How any part of Warsaw was able to recover from the war atrocities is true testament to the resilience and determination of its people.   

Typical of most European Palaces but lucky to still be here.

Beautiful gardens

The best marble floor I've ever seen. 17th century original and looks like 3D.

The new-old town in Warsaw

Built in memorials in the new-old town.This one is part of the tracks of  a mini Goliath tank that was used to deliver payloads of explosives into the town to totally raze it.

Here's an arch retrieved from the rubble and incorporated into a new building.

The new-old town square

Before dinner on Sunday we were treated to a Chopin piano recital. Even philistines like me have to agree that the talent of a fair dinkum pianist is a gift. The guy was clearly a talented eccentric from a different planet than the rest of us. 

The meal was interesting too. Salmon salad and cheeses as an entrée with beetroot dumpling soup followed by roast duck Maryland with sauerkraut and little potatoes. Lots of potatoes! And of course there is beer in Poland too and only about 3 Aussie bucks for a pint.

 It's Monday now and we are on the bus for the longest days traveling of the tour. We are heading north to visit the wolf's lair, Hitler’s base during the war.  I'll get this posted tonight and report on that next time.
Cheers.