To simplify, the central part of Poland is flat,
sea is in the north, mountains are in the south part of Poland.
There are two main mountain ranges: the Sudetes and Carpathian mountains; all beautiful. 🙂
Poland – Mountains
Poland – Jellyfish
You may meet jellyfish in the Baltic sea.
Mostly, they are completely not harmful to people.
But there is also a kind of sea jellies in the Baltic Sea that you should avoid, however it’s very unlikely to see it.
When I was a child, everyone was saying, thet “our” jellyfish are not harmful; it’s almost always the case; but it doesn’t mean 100%.
Poland – Seals
There are three kinds of seals living in Baltic sea:
-the harbor seal (or common seal),
-the grey seal,
-the ringed seal.
Actually, the most common is the grey seal, seen in today’s picture.
If you’d like to learn more about seals, visit the seal sanctuary in Hel, Poland.
Poland – Sand Dunes
Nearby the town of Łeba, you can visit the nation park with sand dunes.
It’s a very nice and unique place in Poland.
Poland – Sand and Roses
I think, we were going relatively often to the coast, when I was a child.
Somehow, I always have this image in the front of my head – sand and pink roses.
I’m sure, you can still see in Poland, many bushes with roses close to beaches.
Poland – Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea (called by a few countries as “East Sea”) is a sea enclosed by 9 European countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Russia, and Sweden.
Poland – Wieliczka Salt Mine
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It’s a mine, so you can visit typical “things” you would expect to find in a mine.
On the other hand, it’s like a museum, with many exhibitions made of salt, there is even a chapel.
It’s located nearby Cracow, so definitely visit the mine while being in Cracow.
For details, check the official website of the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Poland – Mead & Vodka
Vodka apparently seems to be a Polish or Russian traditional alcohol;
well, there is some truth in it…
But there are other alcoholic drinks also popular in Poland,
of course variety of beers,
and mead (Polish: miód pitny what literally means a “drinkable honey”).
I think, mead should have a position number one, it’s a Polish traditional alcoholic beverage, introduced already in Middle Ages.
When your’e in Poland, try mead!
Check maybe the wikipedia website for suggestions which one to choose.
Poland – Cracow
Cracow (in Polish: Kraków) is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland,
and I highly recommend you to go there!
Just be aware, that since some years, Cracow is a very popular tourist destination, it maybe overcrowded, so maybe it lost some of its charm (?).
Anyway, if you’re bored with Cracow, go to nearby Oświęcim (very importnat place, known for known for being the site of the Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp) and Wieliczka Salt Mine;
or a bit farther – go to mountains.
Poland – Storks
Poland has (in the season) the largest white stork population in Europe.
Whenever I was spending summer close to nature, or even driving somewhere, I’ve always seen a stork, or at least a few a day. 🙂
Poland – Winter
Winter can be magical,
but often is also “dirty and muddy”.
People usually joke in Poland, that winter surprised people who clean the streets,
i.e., roads are not prepared, because who expects to have snow in January = in the middle of winter… 😉
Poland – Autumn
I love autumn in Poland when the weather is still nice, and all trees look so colourful.
Of course, autumn has also other side – cold, rainy, windy, depressing.
Poland – Summer
Summer in Poland should be hot, sunny with thunder storms from time to time. 😉
Well, it can be also rainy and not nice; difficult to predict…
Poland – Spring
I love spring with sunny days, full of flowers.
I also think, that spring is the best period to visit Poland, especially May. 🙂
Poland – Climate
Poland has a typical continental climate, with 4 seasons, i.e., spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
The north part of Poland (coast) has rather oceanic climate,
and in the south (mountains) the weather is slightly different;
but in general we have 4 seasons.
Actually, as a child, I thought that each country has 4 seasons, and in each country are mountains, sea, forest, lakes, desert – just everything in different proportions. 😀
Poland – Cold Country
I often heard from people who never been to Poland that Poland is a very cold country (=with long, extremely cold winter). They would never said it about Germany, but Polish climate is like the climate of about half of Germany.
Winters in Poland can be very cold, but they can be also quite mild.
Anyway, winter lasts only 3 months; there is still spring, autumn and hot summer.
Poland – Flag
The flag of the Republic of Poland consists of two horizontal stripes, the upper one white and the lower one red (a white, crowned eagle is sometimes added, but it’s our coat of arms).
There two other countries that have very similar flag, just up side down ;), it’s Indonesia and Monaco.
Poland – Location
Geographically, Poland is located in the centre of Europe;
however, it’s usually described as eastern European country.
Poland is bordered by Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania and Russian Kaliningrad Oblast.
And by the Baltic Sea to the north.
Poland – Introduction
Welcome to Poland. 🙂
This month, I’m going to show you pictures of my country.
First, I’m sorry for the quality, but many of them were taken many, many years ago.
Second, I’m not sure how real the image of Poland is going to be… I don’t live in Poland since years, so may be more sentimental than realistic…
Well, we’ll see. 🙂
Bonaire – Final impression
Today, I’m showing you the last picture from Bonaire.
This small Dutch Caribbean island is a lovely destination;
consider visiting it once you’re nearby!
And tomorrow, we’re going to the unexpected place. 😉
Stay tuned!