Day Thirteen - Monday 20 October 2014 - Prague, Czech Republic to Krakow, Poland

Our route from Prague, Czech Republic to Krakow, Poland

 By 8:00 am -- eighteen of us are on the bus to Krakow with Radke, as our guide and two drivers.  Others are either extending in Prague or going home.   Our ETA in Krakow is late afternoon.  Our first comfort stop at 9:45 am is McDonalds along the highway -- just before passing through Moravia -- the Czech Republic's 2nd largest city which expressed an interest in seceding to become their own country -- it did not work out.  This road is very bumpy -- Radke mentions it was built by the Communists.   

Lunch Spot along the Route

Radke points out various cities and points of interest as our journey continues through the Czech countryside.  At 11:30 am we stop for lunch at "Motorest Podkova" -- looks like a Best Western.  The food was good and hearty -- we all enjoyed our meals and the lovely dessert pastries.  During lunch I noticed our guide and the two drivers having lunch just across the dining room.   The two drivers had at least one beer each with their meals, Radke had a coke.   This was not very comforting since we are just half-way to Krakow -- but we are in the Czech Republic where beer was invented.

My view while having Lunch.

 At 1:50 pm -- we have another comfort stop at a KFC in a roadside rest area and by 2:21 pm we enter Poland.

Poland is a country with 40 million people --the 6th most populous country in the European Union which they entered in 2004 --- 97% of the people are native to Poland and  87% are Roman Catholic.  The currency is the Zlotsky which is worth about 30 cents.   At 4:00 pm we approach Krakow and by 4:30 pm we pull up in front of the Sheraton Krakow.  It is on the Wisla River, a ten minute walk to Krakow's Main Market Square and from which we can see Wawel Castle.

The rooms are nice -- the hotel is well located -- free wifi in the lobby -- I think we're going to like it here.

Dinner -- 1st night in Krakow.

Our group is now eight:  Beth, Jack, Anne, Bob, Patte, Dave, Phil and me.  We meet in the lobby at 5:45 for dinner at "Miod Molina" --- and then to a concert at St. Peter and Paul Church. Everyone's meals are good as is the service --  and a marching bagpipe band parades by as we are dining --- this is a lively place.   Thank you, Phil, for finding yet another good place to dine.

Musicians at St. Peter and Paul Church in Krakow.

 Many of the churches have one-hour concerts in the evenings -- admission is about $20.  Thanks to Bob for finding this concert which was most enjoyable.

We have a pleasant walk back to the Sheraton -- our home for the next three days.

Thanks for Reading

Pat