We went to see the Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus in Krakow Poland. The church is commonly referred to as the Wawel Cathedral. The basilica was built-in the 14th century and is the Polish national sanctuary. The Cathedral has been used for numerous prestigious events including the coronation of Polish monarchs.
The Wawel Cathedral in Krakow Poland
The day after Pope John Paul II was ordained as a priest he said Mass in the Crypt area of the Cathedral. The Cathedral erected a statue of Pope John Paul II to commemorate his attendance there.
Statue of Pope John Paul II outside of the Wawel Cathedral in Krakow
We entered the church and walked through the main section of the Cathedral looking at the statues and ornate decor.
Inside the Wawel Cathedral in Krakow PolandBlack marble canopy with four marble pillars Inside the main section of Wawel Cathedral
We then headed to the bell tower of the Cathedral. There is a set of wooden stairs which lead to the bell tower of the church. The stairs were narrow and steep and a bit of a challenge to climb.
The steep stairs in the bell tower of the Wawel Cathedral
We worked our way towards to top of the bell tower. Along the way up the stairs we came to several bells which were impressive. Shelley stopped to touch one of the church bells.
Shelley touching one of the church bells in Wawel Cathedral
As we reached the top we could see the main bell which was much larger than the rest.
Main church bell in Wawel Cathedral
After looking at the church bell we took some time to admire the view of Krakow from the bell tower.
View of Krakow from the Bell tower of the Wawel Cathedral
After returning from the bell tower we headed towards the Saint Leonard’s crypt located beneath the Cathedral. The crypt contain the tombs of Polish kings, national heroes, generals and other important historic people of Poland.
Hallway leading to the crypts beneath Wawel Cathedral
Inside the crypt we saw some of the tombs on display. It was an eerie feeling walking though the crypt. We saw numerous tombs which were each decorated differently.
One of the tombs in the Saint Leonard’s Crypt under the Wawel CathedralA tomb in the St Leonard’s cryptA tomb in the St Leonard’s crypt
The Wawel Cathedral was a very interesting place to visit. We saw some historic artifacts and explored a historic place of the Polish people. It was a quite interesting and enjoyable time.
We went to visit the small Island of Tabarca which is located 8 nautical miles or 15 kilometers southeast of Alicante. The small Island is a popular summer destination for tourist and locals alike. The island itself is very small with a population of only 68 inhabitants. The island is only 1750 meters long and 300 meters wide at the largest point.
Island of Tabarca in the Mediterranean Sea
We arrived on a cruise boat which is called the Kon Tiki Cuatro which ferries people across from Alicante on a daily basis.
Kon Tiki Cuatro boat
The island only has one port which is fairly small. The boats are required to drop people off and then they must leave the port to allow for other boats to dock.
The port at the Tabarca Island
We debarked the Kon Tiki Cuatro and walked down the pier towards the town. We looked in the water which was very clear. We could see fish swimming along side of the boats and the pier.
Fish swimming in the area of the pier and boats of Tabarca Island.
Tabarca Island is known for a marine reserve which is why there were so many fish.
We arrived at the town and stopped for lunch at a local restaurant. We were a very large group of approximately one hundred people. The restaurant was able to seat us all in long tables which also provided a great view of the sea.
The view from our table looking at the Mediterranean Sea.
We were served courses of traditional Spanish food which included sea food. Ray ate the sea food although he was not too enthusiastic about the food.
Ray eating mussels
There were plenty of refreshments available as well and we enjoyed some Spanish sangria.
Shelley pouring a glass of Sangria
After lunch we went for a walk through the town. The streets have a traditional Spanish look and it was quiet and peaceful.
A street in the town of Tabarca
We walked the streets and came across some beautiful views. There were some traditional buildings including the Church of San Pedro y San Pablo. It is the only church on the island and was built-in the 17th century. The church has a unique beauty to it because of the Mediterranean sea backdrop.
The Church of San Pedro y San Pablo.
There were other unique sites along our walk through the town. We came across some ruins with an archway which was near the edge of the island. The views were stunning and looked like something out of a movie.
Ruins and archway on Tabarca IslandArchway near the edge of the Tabarca island
We walked further and came across some stores and a cafe shop. One store was displaying their merchandise in a different way.
clothing on display outside of the store on mannequins
Tabarca is the smallest permanently inhabited island in Spain. We enjoyed walking the streets and exploring this small island. The scenery was breathtaking. It seemed that everywhere we looked there was a beautiful view.
View from a small outlook on the island of TabarcaView of a section of Tabraca IslandStreet on Tabarca Island
We decided to get a photo taken while near the shore on Tabarca Island.
Ray and Shelley on Tabarca Island
We then headed back to the boat to return to Alicante after a great day on the Island.
Shelley and Ray getting ready to board the Kon Tiki Cuatro to return to AlicanteShelley on the Kon Tiki Cuatro boat returning to Alicante
It was a very enjoyable day exploring the small island of Tabarca.
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.
The Volvo Ocean race takes place every three years. This year is the start of the race is in Alicante.
We took in some of the pre-race activities during the time the Volvo Ocean Race was in Alicante. We went down to the pier and walked through the different pavilions.
Pavillions for the Volvo Ocean Race
They had interactive activities for the children.
Computer simulation for sailing which children used to practice their sailing skills.
There was even a full size replica of the sail boat which was cut through the middle to provide a view of the interior of the racing boat.
Interior of race boat design used in Volvo raceInterior of racing boat design where children could explore the boat
We walked along the pavilions checking out the displays and activities. It was an interesting day looking at the different aspects of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The following day we went out on the Mediterranean to watch a trial race by the Volvo Ocean teams. We went out on our friends sailboat and enjoyed the view from the sea.
Shelley and Mike on the Sailboat
There were many other boats on the water also watching the race.
Volvo Ocean Race Sailboats during preliminary race in Alicante
We followed along the race route enjoying the spectacular views of the sailboats.
It was a very enjoyable way to see the sailboats racing. We even managed to get very close to the Volvo ocean sailboats.
Close view of the crew of the Volvo Ocean sailboat Brunel
It was a great day of sailing along with the Volvo Ocean Race sailboats.
The official race day was October 22nd and we went to watch the race at a friends apartment. The apartment is located on the 20th floor and the view was spectacular. We could see the entire race from a different vantage point.
View of the Volvo Ocean Race start at Alicante Spain
We enjoyed watching the race live on the tv as well.
We were fortunate to see the Volvo Ocean Race sailboats in different ways, from the sea, high above and in close proximity to the boats.
We went to the Birkenau death camp after seeing Auschwitz 1 concentration camp. It was also a very emotional and somber place for us.
Ray and Shelley at the main gate of Birkenau Death Camp
Another part of the Auschwitz concentration camp was the expansion of the camp to create the Birkenau death camp. The Nazis began erecting this camp in the fall of 1941 in a village of Brzezinski, three kilometers from the Auschwitz concentration camp. The Nazis expelled the villagers and destroyed their homes to build the Birkenau death camp. This camp was designed for the mass murder of prisoners most of which were Jews.
The gate to the Birkenau death camp.
There is a railway spur which went directly through the gate into the camp. Prisoners referred to the Birkenau gate as “The Gate of Death”.
Railway spurs in Birkenau Death camp where prisoners were unloaded.
Prisoners would exit the train cars and this is where the Nazi SS physicians carried out their selection of the jews. They determined which were for work, or sent for medical experiments and the remainder were sent immediately to the gas chambers. This included pregnant women and children.
We walked through the death camp looking at the train tracks and just couldn’t imagine the horror of what happened here. As we walked alongside the tracks, we came to a cattle car which was used to transport Jews and other prisoners here.
A cattle car used to transport prisoners to the death campRailway car used to transport Jews and other Prisoners to Birkenau Death Camp
At the rear of the train car was a small raised lookout which was used by a Nazi guard.
A train car used to transport prisoners to the death camp.
The size of the Birkenau death camp was much bigger than we expected. There were rows upon rows of chimneys and ruins from the prisoner barracks on one side of the main road.
The remains of prisoner barracks at Birkenau Death CampArea where prisoners where kept in wooden barracks
There were some wooden barracks that remained in part of the Birkenau death camp.
Prisoner barracks in Birkenau death camp.
We went into some of the existing prisoner barracks. The conditions were very harsh. It was hard to imagine the living conditions they had to endure.
Latrine used by the prisoners.Bunks for the prisoners, eight prisoners to a single bunk.
We walked long the main road towards the back of the camp. As we approached the rear of the camp we could see a monument and some building ruins.
Monument at rear of the Birkenau Death Camp.
There were plaques in different languages which read
“For ever let this place be a cry of despair and a warning to humanity, where the Nazis murdered about one and a half million men, women, and children mainly Jews from various countries of Europe”
The Nazis transported jews from many european countries to be murdered here in Birkenau.
Map showing the movement of Jews transported to Birkenau to be murdered.
After viewing the monument we went to an area with ruins at the far end of the camp. These ruins are all that is left of the gas chambers and crematorium used to kill approximately one and half million people, primarily Jews.
The entrance way which Jews and other prisoners would be lead to believe were showers.
They would walk down the long corridor to an area where they would disrobe and then enter a second room, which was disguised as a shower room. There they would be gassed to death and then moved to a crematorium room to be burned.
Remains of the gas chambers and crematorium at Birkenau death campRemains at Birkenau death campGas chamber and crematorium remains at Birkenau death camp.
The size of the ruins showed the magnitude of the horrors that occurred here. After pausing to reflect on the site we were looking at, we began our long walk back to the main gate of Birkenau.
There were flowers placed on the train tracks close to where the gas chambers were. When you look down the tracks you can barely see the main gate of Birkenau in the distance.
Train tracks that stop at the gas chamber and crematorium area of Birkenau death camp.
We walked slowly back to the main gate contemplating the horrors and atrocities that occurred here. A very emotional day for us, but it is one time in history that no one should ever forget.
You must be logged in to post a comment.