Sculling is a popular activity in Alicante because of our location on the Mediterranean Sea. The local yacht club has a sculling group which also competes in different competitions. Sonja and I (Shelley) decided to give the sport a try, so we joined the Royal Regatta Club of Alicante.
Shelley at the Yacht club getting ready to start her new sport.
There are different types of racing shell boats from a single person to group rowing. Shelley and Sonja began learning on a double seat shell.
Shelley and Sonja rowing on the Mediterranean
The boat shell is narrow to avoid drag, and is very tippy and unstable. The oars are attached to oarlocks at the end of outriggers extending from the sides of the boat. The oars help to keep the boat stable and takes some time to learn the best way to balance the shell. Sonja and I are taking lessons twice a week in the morning. There is a special technique for rowing in a shell. With a partner both rowers need to be in sync. The technique takes practice and is a good form of exercise.
The views are amazing as we row along the marina.
Shelley and Sonja rowing in the marina
We have been rowing for only a few weeks now and already I love the sport. It is quite the challenge, but is also a lot of fun.
We went to preview the fogueres on display and take part in the judging of the best fogueres for 2018. Each year a miniature copy of the full size fogueres are made and put on display for judging. Each ticket entry fee comes with two ballets for voting. One ballot for the adult fogueres and the other is for the children’s fogueres.
We went into the large building and came to the first room which contained the adult fogueres.
Shelley and Ray in the entrance area of the fogueres
There were rows of the fogueres on both sides of the room .
Rows of adult miniature fogueres on display for judging.
We went through the room slowing looking at each one. There was one which caught Ray’s attention.
Ray with firefighter foguere
What was unique about the firefighter foguere is what was not visible at first. The back of the foguere was surprising. The firefighter was wearing a thong and angel wings. I think the meaning behind the foguere is that a firefighter could be a women and may be the firefighter you see in gear.
The view on the back side of the foguere
We walked through the room and admired the amazing details of the fogueres. Some of them were very beautiful and extremely detailed.
One of the fogueres with amazing detail
We then went through to the children’s fogueres area. This was also a large room with fogueres on both sides of the room.
Children’s fogueres on display for judging.
The children fogueres were very interesting and there were many beautiful designed fogueres. We looked at each one and made our votes for what we thought was the best in both categories.
Each year we enjoy seeing the different and new fogueres. Some of them are made to make political statements or to make fun of a particular person or group. One which was particularly interesting was of the poisoning of the oceans through plastics and pollution.
A foguere in a tube design with a skeleton of a fish inside
At first glance it is a message about pollution but on a closer look you see a sign which makes a strong statement.
Sign with ominous warning of the pollution and plastics of the ocean.
It translates roughly in english as follows:
“just wield the last tree Follow death, the last poisoned river and the last trapped fish.
You will notice that you can not eat money”
Looking inside the container you can see the bottom which represents the ocean floor and is full of plastics, paints, hazardous materials and other pollutants.
Plastics, paints and other pollutants on base of foguere
Plastic has become a major issue here and across the globe. We see it on a daily basis living on the coast of the Mediterranean sea.
There was another foguere which made fun of a female politician named “Cristina Cifuentes”. She had made a false statement that she had obtained a master’s degree. When she was challenged by the media she produced a certificate which was later proven to be fake. It was a major issue here in Spain and caused a lot of turmoil, she eventually resigned.
Effigy foguere of Cristina Cifuentes a politician from Madrid
In the hands of the effigy are two different “certificates” which do not hold back the feelings of the public.
The “certificate” translates to state ” Master Cristina Cifuentes “major troll of the kingdom”Fake certificate which translates “Cristina Cifuentes, “a very legal blonde”
It is these type of fogueres which make seeing the different ones so enjoyable.
Below is a gallery of some of the fogueres on display for the voting in 2018.
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 mountainRay on Rysy peakA view from Rysy peakShelley on the Rysy peak
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.
Dark clouds rolling into Rysy peakView from Rysy peak with heavy clouds
We decided to head down the mountain before the weather changed. We took the cable car ride down enjoying the views along the way.
We decided to take the bus to a resort style town called Zakapone at the base of the Tatras mountains in Poland. The town is known for turn of the century wooden chalets, outdoor activities and excellent skiing slopes.
The bus ride to Zakapone was through the countryside and took about 2 hours. We enjoyed looking at the scenery along the way, which reminded us a bit like Canada.
View from the bus along the route to Zakapone, Poland.
As we got closer to Zakapone, the landscape became more mountainous and lush green.
View of a chalet from the bus close to Zakapone, Poland
We arrived at the Zakapone Bus station and then took a taxi to our hotel. After getting settled in we went to a restaurant called Watra to meet up with our friends.
This was a traditional polish restaurant with some unique features. There was an open flame grill, with baked potatoes cooking.
Wood fired grill with baked potatoes and assorted foods
There were homemade polish sausages hanging from the ceiling.
Homemade Polish sausage hanging in the restaurant
We walked around the restaurant and checked it out before seating down to eat.
Mark and Ray checking out the restaurant
The tables had real sheep skin on the seats.
Sheep skins on the back of the benches in the restaurant
There was also a micro brewery in the restaurant.
Micro brewery inside the restaurant
It made for an interesting meeting point for lunch. We enjoyed a great meal and planned our next adventure.
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 KrakowPlatter 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.
Borscht Soup in Krakow, Poland
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.
Polish beer served in Krakow
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.
Lentil and bean soupPotato pancakes with goulash
One of the joys of visiting Krakow and Poland was the Polish restaurants and traditional foods.
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