Tag Archives: Retirement abroad

A Cable Car Ride up the Tatra Mountain

June 9, 2018 chaput@live.com

We decided to take a cable car ride to the top of Tatra mountain near Zakapone. The mountain range forms a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. The tatra mountain Rysy peak is the highest point in Poland at 2,503 m or (8200 ft).

The cable car ride took about 15 minutes to reach the top. The views on the way up were stunning. The following video is shortened and fast speed to give you an idea of the trip up the mountain.

We arrived at the top of the cable car landing and exited to a spectacular view of the mountain range.

Shelley and Ray on the top landing of the cable car ride to Tatra mountain in Poland.

There are trails in the area and many people use the trails to explore the mountain. We walked up the trail that leads to the weather station on the Rysy peak.

Shelley and Ray on the Rysy Pea on Tatra mountain in Poland.

At the Rysy peak area, we could see 360 degrees. The views were stunning in every direction and we took our time to enjoy the views.

View from the Rysy peak of Tatra mountain

We stayed on the Rysy peak for about a half an hour and then some dark clouds began to appear. It changed the looks of the mountains and made it look somewhat ominous.

We decided to head down the mountain before the weather changed. We took the cable car ride down enjoying the views along the way.

“Do widzenia i dobry dzień”

Poland

Our Gastronomy Adventures in Poland

June 5, 2018 chaput@live.com

We enjoyed traditional Polish food throughout our visit to Poland. Each day was a gastronomic adventure, we tried to go to different Polish restaurants and try different Polish foods.

We enjoyed trying the lard which was served with bread as an appetizer before the main meal. The lard was mixed with some spices and was tasty.

Lard mixed with spices and served with bread as an appetizer.

We ordered a mixed platter of Polish foods, which included numerous different traditional Polish foods.

Ray, Michel, Barbara and Shelley at a Polish Restaurant in Krakow

Platter of mixed Polish foods including Polish sausage, cabbage rolls, potato pancakes,, ham hock, perogies, Polish kiszona kapusta (A form of Polish Sauerkraut) and beet salad.

It was a very tasty selection and more food than the four of us could eat. Throughout the week we enjoyed the different soups, including Borscht and bean soups.

There was a Polish goulash stew which was quite tasty and enjoyable. It came in a homemade breaded bowl which added to the meal. We even tried different Polish beers, which were very tasty and rival any beer.

They had a major selection of different infused Vodkas. It is a popular drink in Poland.

Liquor display with numerous infused Vodkas

We couldn’t resist trying at least one of the infused vodkas. There was a honey vodka which was quite tasty. Shelley tried a lemon infused Vodka which was also very good.

Shelley trying one of the infused Vodkas in Poland

Over the week we encountered different foods and desserts that were unique to us.

Vicki, Shelley, Ray and Mark enjoying the gastronomy of Poland

There were Bagel stands throughout Krakow that sold fresh bagels and pretzels. These bagels were very good and we even tried some “pączki,” which is similar to a centre filled donut.

Barbara buying a pretzel for everyone to try.

The gastronomic taste and adventures were very enjoyable. Below are a few examples of the food.

One of the joys of visiting Krakow and Poland was the Polish restaurants and traditional foods.

“Do widzenia i dobry dzień”

Spain

Spelunking the Cueva del Puerto

November 10, 2017 chaput@live.com

We decided to try something totally new and different. We went to explore some of the caves in Murcia. There is a cave system which is over 5 kilometers long called the Cueva del Puerto. They are located in Calasparra and approximately 5 kilometres of the caves have been mapped. Nearly all the caves in the Murcia Region are formed by limestone or dolomite,

We drove with friends to the mountains in Calasparra and arrived at the caves visitor centre.

We were met by our two guides who would be leading the exploration of the caves. We went into a change room to change into our cave gear. We wore coveralls, rappelling gear, and a helmet with light.

Shelley getting ready for the exploration of the caves.

Once everyone was dressed we walked up a trail which brought us to the entrance to the cave system. There we had a finale review of our equipment and then headed inside the caves.

Our group with one of our guides before heading into the caves del Puerto

In the entrance of the cave is an area for tourist to explore a small section. We headed along that pat then headed down into other areas of the caves not open to tourist.

Zack, Susy, Marcelo, Sonja, Ray and Shelley in a section of the Cave del Puerto

It was a frightening and exciting experience at the same time. We climbed down through some small crevices working our way through the caves. We repelled down sections of the cave, sometimes over 20 feet at a time.

Ray rappelling down a section of the cave of Puerto

There were times when we had to literary crawl on our stomachs to get through some of the openings. It was not an activity for the faint of heart or for anyone who is claustaphobic. We would stop every once and a while to take a photo and rest.

We entered areas of the caves which opened up into larger caverns. Some of these caverns were quite large and impressive while others were so small you could not even stand completely upright.

It was a very challenging exploring the caves and after four hours, we reached the exit of the caves again.

The group at the end of the four hour cave exploration.

It was a very physical and long day, but it was very rewarding and enjoyable.

“Adios y tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento

October 25, 2017 chaput@live.com

On the evening of October 21st there was a religious celebration in Alicante called “the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento” . It is a procession which is held in Santa Cruz locate in the heart of the old quarter of Alicante.

We went to a friend’s home to watch the procession. They live in the barrio of Santa Cruz along the route of the procession. We had a balcony which overlooked the procession along one of the smallest spots in the route.

View from the balcony of the route for the Salida

The Salida extraordinria del Descendimiento has a wooden platform which is carried through the barrio of Santa Cruz. On the wooden float is a wooden carving of Jesus and other religious figures. They are all carried on a large wooden platform. The weight of the statues and the platform is approximately 25,000 lbs (1135 kg).

Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento platform being carried through the barrio of Santa Cruz

People gather throughout the route to pray, sing and clap as the platform is carried. There are approximately 30 people who carry the heavy platform and they stop along the route for prayers and songs. There is a band which follows the procession and plays unique music for the event.

Band marching and playing music behind the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento.

We had an excellent location to watch the entire Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento. The balcony was located so close to the route that Shelley was able to reach out and touch the cross and the carving of Jesus as it went by.

Shelley on the balcony waving after the procession passed

We had a very enjoyable time, visiting with some of our friends and experiencing a Catholic Spanish tradition. We made a short video of the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento for you to enjoy. The music in the video is from the Salida extraordinaria del Descendimiento and was played during the procession.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Poland