Long awaited trip to POLAND!

I finally got to join Matt on a trip to Poland. We were there 2-7 March. The area we stayed in is called the Tricity - which consists of the three cities Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdansk. Matt's office is in Gdansk and we stayed in Sopot at a resort hotel on the sea. The sea I am referencing is the Baltic Sea. Poland is probably best known for two things - Amber and Vodka. Great for me! In fact, Gdansk is known as the world capital of Amber. Sadly, I did not bring home any Amber jewelry as anticipated. Reason for me to return this summer! Vodka is my liquor of choice, so I enjoyed tasting the varieties in the area. We stocked up on a few bottles in duty-free at the airport on our return journey. While Matt and I did teach ourselves a bit of Polish, I was most amused when Matt ended up speaking German to our first taxi driver as that was the only common language between the two.

We flew out Sunday morning and took a taxi from the airport to the main train station in Gdansk. We stored our bags at the station and took a train to Malbork to tour the Malbork Castle. Malbork Castle was built/founded by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century and is listed as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites today. While it rained on us a bit, we didn't let that damper our visit.

Malbork Castle

We stayed at the Grand Hotel in Sopot. Highlights of the hotel are: free internet, flat screen tv (w/a few english channels), spa, workout room (which I didn't take advantage of), indoor pool, and sauna. The Polish staff was very friendly. In fact, I have to say that the Polish people as a whole seem to be very friendly and welcoming. That is why I particularly enjoyed their visit to London back in the fall. It was very nice to see Matt's Polish colleagues again.

Grand Hotel, Sopot

Beach in Sopot

Each evening we ate dinner with one set or another of Matt's colleagues. During the day, though, I was on my own. On Monday, I stayed in Sopot and went on a self-guided tour using my guidebook. (It is always helpful to do your research before you go on a trip and bring along a guidebook.) It was sunny but very windy, as to be expected on the coast. I walked from the "Opera in the woods" all the way to the end of the Sopot Pier. For dinner that evening, we ate at Sioux Classis on the Monte Cassino in Sopot - which is quite odd being a western-style restaurant in Sopot complete with prairie decor and western fayre (with a bit of mexican and egyptian menu items).

The "Crooked House" on Monte Cassino, in Sopot

On Tuesday, I took the train into Gdansk and my first stop in town was the Amber Museum. It was fascinating to see all of the items made out of Amber. Following that, I took the "royal walk" down to the waterfront. I have loads of pictures of that area, which include many of the medieval port crane. I also hit one of the shopping malls for some window shopping before heading back to the hotel. That evening we went up to Gdynia for dinner at the Barracuda. A delightful seafood restaurant. We ended the day with a nightcap back at the hotel.

Jewelry Box made of Amber @ Amber Museum

Gdansk waterfront

On Wednesday, I kept my day pretty laid back. I got a massage, a pedicure, and a manicure in the hotel spa. It was only slightly more expensive than it would have been in the States, but I did feel a little guilty for pampering myself while Matt was hard at work. I met with one of the Polish employees for appetizers before heading off to dinner with Matt and others.

On Thursday it rained all day. I decided to just stroll around the new large shopping galeria in Gdansk to avoid a downpour of a day. Ending the week, we flew back to London on Friday morning. Overall it was a wonderful trip, for me, and I do hope to return in the summer when the resort is in full swing. Hopefully Matt will be able to have a little fun next time around!

More wonderful pictures can be viewed at
http://picasaweb.google.com/amber.biviano/Poland

Belgium

Grand Place, Brussels

Sorry for the delay everyone...

We had the opportunity to visit Belgium February 19-23. I say we got to visit Belgium but it is all relative. Unfortunately Matt spent most of that time in workshops. Actually, all of his travels are for business and the only enjoyment he may get out of them is dining out in local restaurants - although I'm sure most of the table discussion is centered around work.

Atomium, Brussels

Triumphal Arch, Brussels

Anyway, back to the trip. We knew a couple of weeks beforehand that he may have to go to Belgium for these workshops. We talked about me joining him, but did not make any definite plans. In fact, the week before Matt booked his travel for Germany as usual. That Monday the 18th he left for Germany. That evening he called me after dinner as usual and asked if I thought I could arrange to meet him in Brussels the next day. Talk about short notice! Luckily, I had previously asked a friend if she was available to watch Cheyenne during that week so I called her up to confirm if she was still willing and able to dogsit. Thankfully she was! I managed to book a flight and rearrange my appointments already scheduled that week.

Canal, Bruges

Town Centre, Bruges

On Tuesday Matt arranged for a car to pick me up at 5:00pm to take me to the airport. I had the early part of that day to pack and to search online to figure out how I was going to get to the hotel. Matt would be riding with a colleague from Germany. I got into Brussels Charleroi airport that evening, caught an hour-long shuttle ride into one of the city's train stations, and then took a taxi to the hotel - arriving at midnight! Matt was waiting in the bar with a couple of colleagues.

So, with the long story being the lead up to arrival, highlights of the trip are listed below.

• Evening meals with Matt and his coworkers. One guy was originally from Denver, however he and his family (Fowlers) are currently living in Germany. His wife and young children were visiting as well and were able to join us in the evenings.
• City Walking and Bus Tour (Brussels). I was on my own during the day on Wednesday and Thursday. I had a guide book and map with me, which I used to explore the city. I also did one of the bus tours to get acquainted with the area. I did not go into any museums or attractions, but just enjoyed seeing the sites.
• Speaking the language. I like to learn a few phrases of the local language of where I will be visiting. For the most part, Brussels is french-speaking. I wasn't entirely sure if I was pronouncing things correctly, but I sure had fun trying.
• Day Trip to Bruges. Matt was able to take Friday off and we headed to Bruges by train. It was about an hour train ride from Brussels. I would say that the main language is more Flemish (Dutch) than French. I am not familiar with that language at all, even having the guidebook, so luckily I didn't have to attempt to speak it. This town is much smaller and delightfully quaint compared to Brussels. It is very easy to navigate on foot. I braved a boat cruise around the canals while Matt was on a business call. While in town, we saw the Fowler family pass by in a horse-drawn carriage! We returned to Brussels late in the afternoon for dinner and to pack for our early morning flight home.
• Belgian Chocolate and Waffles. Enough said.

View full album here

http://picasaweb.google.com/amber.biviano/Belgium

White Cliffs of Dover

This was one of the few remaining places on our Must See list in the U.K.

White Cliffs

Back in February Matt and I jumped in the car one Saturday and headed south to Dover. Dover is on the English Channel, where you can catch a ferry over to France and on a very clear day see all the way across. The cliffs are very striking and are the first (or last) sight of the UK for ferry travelers. Behind the cliff face are miles of hidden tunnels that were created during the Middle Ages and later played a role in the defence of Britain during the Napoleanic Wars. The tunnels were later enlarged to become the Secret Wartime Tunnels (WWI & WWII) beneath Dover Castle.


We took the opportunity to tour both the tunnels and Dover Castle during our trip. As always, some pictures are below and the full album can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/amber.biviano/WhiteCliffsOfDover

Entrance to Underground Hospital (we could not take pictures inside the secret tunnels)

Town of Dover

Ferry Port

Inside Dover Castle

Updates will be forthcoming!

Okay, I have several updates to post but won't have time this weekend because I am off to Poland! Yes, Poland. Matt has to go there on business again and I am finally joining him. Many of the Polish employees (that were training over here in the UK back in the fall) have been asking when I will come for a visit.

Keep checking back for the following updates!

• White Cliffs of Dover and the English Channel
• Trip to Belgium
• Trip to Poland