After spending two weeks doing everything together it was hard to say goodbye to Amadeusz. We had a lovely time with him and enjoyed seeing parts of our country through fresh eyes. But alas, Europe is calling and we must part ways. One last champas at the airport before boarding. Next stop, Rome. Arrivederci Sydney!! Saluti!

We awoke at the crack of dawn to catch our Polski bus to Wroclaw. Goodbye to our luxury apartment with the mountain views! Our hostess had arranged a taxi for us so it was a short trip to the bus station. There we boarded a two storey Red bus and managed to get the two top front seats with the best view. It was like driving without driving! This bus was also destined to finish at Berlin.

   

Day 7 Zakopane   Edit    

  Edit  

I got up and blogged away this morning until we wandered down town to have breakfast. We found a lovely timber establishment where we indulged in a typical Polish breakfast and hot coffee! It was still snowing and I couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that all this snow created work for so many people……street cleaners, footpath cleaners, driveway clearing, window scraping…..on and on the labour occurred! 

   

   

   

I am finally able to use my Polish passport for this part of the journey from London to Poland and Sweden. It will save a lot of time when re entering the UK.

   

Then a bit of shopping in the Cukiernic or market and then while we were readying for the trip to Zacopane, I looked out the window to see snow flurries. It was a bit of magic! Little did I know how this day would end!

The Spider returned to Europe and did his job of startling Scott!

   

               

  

http://youtu.be/9rOf09Pdq5A

We decided to catch the train instead of a bus to Zakopane as we thought it would be more scenic but I think we chose the pleb option. The train was very slow and basic, has many stops and no catering car in sight! The weather was grey and wet.

   

           

When we reached Zakopane, we were thrilled to see snow and a few flurries again. We caught a taxi to the luxury apartment but couldn’t make contact with the owner. This is one of the set backs of AirBnB because there is not a reception desk as in Hotels. You have to rely on phones to communicate and if your phone is playing up, you need to seek some form of communication. We waited for a bit, there was a very unhelpful woman in one of the apartments, so Scott and I dragged our luggage down to the closest cafe we could find…..about 2 blocks away. 

  

We had a nice coffee and baked Cheesecake and successfully communicated with the shop keepers to use their phone to contact our host. They spoke very little English and it was a challenge to ask to use their phone. Once into the apartment, the magic started…..it started to snow, and snow and snow. The apartment is beautiful but while I write this I am peed off that there is no tea or coffee provided, as should be the case. Again, one for Hotels!

   

        

 

   

   

The wind had died down a little from yesterday and it was a beautiful morning. I had to check out of the Hotel. Even though the rooms were small, I could not fault them in any other way. Service was exceptional, the place was very clean and the staff were very friendly and efficient. I look forward to staying there again after our trip to Poland and Stockholm. It’s called the Z Hotel, Shoreditch. The WiFi is perfect and the TV has all the Sky channels which spoils you for choice. They also provide some toiletries, coffee and tea in the rooms plus a bottle of water. All this for $250 for 2 nights is a bargain in London!

  

   

   

   

woke up to a very Windy day but the sun was shining. The breakfast at the hotel was a good variety of foods and coffee. The staff are really really helpful which makes up for the postage stamp sized rooms. It is also a convenient location to get to Scott’s work by bus from across the road.

So today was shopping day. I walked to TKMaxx and bought a few fashion items then to  Oxford street for some more retail therapy. I walked maybe a good 10 km today. I love how you can be walking past medieval buildings and in the background you can see the Shard and the Gherkin, some of London’s most recent buildings. Also cobblestone streets mixed with modern traffic! On the way back to the hotel I stopped into a hairdressers and had my hair done for Lionel. Then it was time to freshen up and catch a bus to meet Scott. I thought I was right to find his work again but got a little lost……all good though, I finally found my way around.

So we caught a train to the O2 arena and had drinks in the American Express lounge for special guests. Then up to our corporate box with our own staff. We were there early, had some food and then the support act was Larissa. She could sing! http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_3150645

Then ‘Hello’ began the Lionel Ritchie concert. He is a seasoned entertainer and put on a great show! He sang all his hits and finished with a tribute to Michael Jackson who he co-wrote ‘We are the World’ with.

The arena is sponsored by E-lites electronic cigarettes. Oh boy, they have found another way to keep people addicted”

We Ubered home and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

QF1 was a good direct flight. The staff were lovely and I was given a set of business class headphones. Not sure why they gave them to me but they are much better than the foamy ones.

   

  

   

   

   

   

A year ago, I would never have imagined that I would be travelling to London alone. I will be meeting Scott over there and I am looking forward to our road trip and family adventure. 

The day started with a lovely walk along Wanda beach with Pixie and Wesley. Catching up with mum, dad and Irene was great! Then mum had internet problems, so we spent about an hour on the phone to Telstra to fix the problem. All good and then into a cab to the airport. Sailed through security……no bomb checks or scanning today. Bought the Vodka for the plane and London. Now just waiting to board. Next stop Dubai for just over an hour and then a hug for Scott. Unfortunately I could not get a window seat on the way over but I do have one on the top deck on the way back! I guess there will be a lot of reading, drinking and sleeping.

Leaving Coffs Harbour on a glorious day! Sydney today. London tomorrow!