Bird Paradise

This place was on my radar for a long time - "Bird Paradise" reserve on Sobieszewo Island. In fact, I asked to go there as my birthday gift last year. Unfortunately, the trip didn’t end well. I start by saying that half of people that came didn’t want to leave the car. All because of huge amounts of mosquitos. Only me and my stepdad were brave enough to take a hike. Although it was a very short one.

This place was on my radar for a long time. In fact, I asked to go there as my birthday gift last year. Unfortunately, the trip didn’t end well. I start by saying that half of people that came didn’t want to leave the car. All because of huge amounts of mosquitos. Only me and my stepdad were brave enough to take a hike. Although it was a very short one.

We didn’t see many people, but surely we must have looked like crazy people. To protect ourselves from the incredible amount of mosquitoes we were waving our arms around us. Also, we were almost running. As a result, we didn’t get to see anything and end up with a record amount of mosquito bites.

Almost a year later and I managed to come back. This time, I wasn't attacked by an army of starving mosquitoes. I must say, though, that for a bird reserve, there is surprisingly very little birds there. I see more birds looking outside my bedroom window. Regardless of that, it is a beautiful place. Very peaceful and relaxing.

If you decide to go there for a walk, to which I encourage you, please take provisions and binoculars. Maybe then you will be able to finish the walk and spot some birds :) The route is quite long and there is no shops or stalls anywhere. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish the whole walk.I hope that next year will be the year I'll do that.

Love, love ... Gdynia :)

These days, it is incredibly difficult for me to peel my face off the computer screen. Barely have time to get out of the house. Fortunately, a few weeks ago I did. And since it was the first time in weeks I decided I have to visit a place that is not around the corner from my house.

I heard that recently an embankment in Gdynia was opened, so I decided I had to check it out. I must say that it was worth it. 

I took us around an hour to get to our destination. I must say that three smartphones with navigation didn’t help much, and we still ended up wondering around. 

When I got to the point where I could see the sea, I was amazed. I felt I am in Greece or other South European country. Breathtaking views. As it turned out, the way down to the beach was also breathtaking. All because of a steep hill and thousands of stairs we had to conquer. 

The recently made embankment is beautiful. This area started out as a fisherman village. There are still remains of that, with rails that fisherman used to bring up the catch and colorful boats that I hope are still being used for fishing.

The embankment is pretty long - about 1,5 km. And since I had to find out where it leads to, I dragged my not-so-happy family till the end, and back (because we came by car, that we had to go back to :).

To sum up, this place became one of my favorite beaches in TriCity (although, not much beach there). I also managed to set a plan, that basically consists of me winning few millions zloty, and buying a house there. Maybe not the closest to the cliff, but in a nearby area.

Time for shopping – Winter Sale has begun

To stay with current trends of Winter Sale shopping, I decided to try it out as well. Therefore I went to Market Hall. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do any shopping as the hall was closed due to national holiday. But know my sacrifices – it was -11 Celsius outside and during 10 minutes of taking pictures my fingers began to experience frost bites J

Anyways, I don’t think I would do much shopping as most items offered on sale are groceries (which normally aren’t subject of Winter SalesJ.  Regardless of that fact, Market Hall building is one of my favorite, it might be because of all its towers.

The hall was built in 1986, previous to that there was a plaza that served as open market space, just before that, army used the space for drills. But even before that there was a monastery that was destroyed in 1813 during war.

Plaza on which Market Hall was built

Originally there were 188 wooden stalls (76 stalls with meat and sausages, 64 with vegetables and fruits, 22 with dairy products, 16 with fish and 10 with bread). It had a police station and a kitchen. I can just picture ladies with big dresses coming for daily shopping, chatting with acquaintances. Policeman walking around welcoming ladies with little nod and hat tip.

Market Hall, 1910

Well, at least this is what I see when I look at Market Hall. Plus I love all the little towers. Also, the shape of the building reminds me of train stations, which strangely I am really fond of.

Anyhow, when in Gdansk, visit this beautiful Market Hall. I will come back to the hall in spring, as there is couple of things that I didn’t tell you about.

Happy Christmas

Top of the "kiss me" booth

I don't know what your traditions are, but in Poland, today was the Christmas time. We broke Holly bread and wished each other best, we shared a meal and opened presents (that Santa brought:).

Christmas mill

I'd start with wishing everybody most greatest and happiest Christmas. But also I wanted to say some, maybe harsh words. I believe that Christmas is not only a time of celebrating Christ being born. It is a tradition that makes families, that spend so much time apart come together. It's time that people make effort for the other ones they love.

Christmas fun

One that argues a lot is being nice to others. Nobody complains about food that's been burnt. Just extra niceness. I have prepared meal for my family today, but by the time they came nothing was ready. So I engaged one in gift wrapping, other one with christmas tree decorating and another with table accessible. But no one minded it. Because it's Christmas (but maybe because we love each other and despite the faults we want to be around each other).

My cookie decoration

I read today that many people don't know what to get for loved ones. I say: listen to them, there is always a clue... Someone says their back is aching, someone would say they can't find remote. These are the clues. I did listen this year and guess what... not only happy faces... faces that had real joy and sparkle in their eyes.

#magiajarmarku

Also the fact, that the gifts are given doesn't mean that the celebration is over. Go to your extended family. Take them for a walk spend time together. Enjoy the company. As corny as they might be, they are your experience and happiness in live. Celebrate your time together. No matter how much it is. Once you realize that it was for you to treasure and keep.

Christmas smell - Christmas tree

The Great Mill

This particular part of Gdansk architecture hold special place in my heart. Back in '90 I earned my first money, a lot of money (according to me back then :) this is where I spend it. Back then it was the fist shopping mall in Gdansk, if you even can call it that. It was a building filled with shops so I guess it meets the criteria. But even then it was so much more than that.

It is a beautiful building, it really is. I might be my fondness of it, but I really, really like that building :) The funny thing is, that I didn't even realise what history this building holds until now. And let me tell you, there is a history.

The mill was built in 1349 by Teutonic Order. The mill is placed on man-made island. The mill was used for milling rye, wheat and also barley and oats. At its best it help 18 mill wheels. The mill was a big deal, it generated income that apparently was worth fighting for. At first opportunity Gdansk city jumped to be the owner of the mill.

There is a nice part on the side of the mill and at the back of the mill there is a restaurant, which looks nice from outside, but I never been there so cannot comment on menu :)

Also there is a internet bench there, which stream live images, so when you sit there make sure your friends are watching :)

Overall, I love this building ( I think it's kind of obvious :). In the inside you can see reminiscence of the old mill.

Which you have to go inside to see. Oh, yeah :)

Green Lantern

Today I took advantage of my family member, who wanted to spend some time with me. Of course, he had different idea of what we would do. However as the weather was favourable today, a walk by seaside was in store. Unfortunately, by the time we were able to get out, the sun hid behind clouds. However I shouldn't complain as in December we have temperature of 10 degrees Celsius and mild cold wind.

Do you see it? Green lighthouse...

Few months ago I heard about breakwater being open to public. Till then this area was restricted to port free zone. Not only the breakwater offers different viewpoint of the bay, there is also a green lighthouse at the end of it.

I see Gdynia ...

Since it was open around six months ago, the path is a little rough, but I read that there are plans of renovating it and also of opening a cafe on breakwater. It certainly is nice place to have coffee :)

But, to be honest, I didn't mind the path. For some, I'm sure, it will be a bit uncomfortable and not too pleasant with high fence on one side. Some also could complaint about "rubbish" at the bottom of the cliff. As I was explained by my companion, the reason for the concrete blocks is to protect the cliff from falling apart, as the waves would wear it down.

I liked little bays made of stone - sort of little viewpoints. I also liked writings on the stones, but not all of them - some were unfortunately profanities :( but some were love confessions, or just memory marks.

When it comes to the history of the breakwater and its green lighthouse I didn't find much information. What I found was one old picture of the lighthouse, which doesn't look like lighthouse at all.

I also read that the green lighthouse and breakwater is part of port entrance. The lighthouse has a twin - red lighthouse, which is located on eastern breakwater. I hope there is access to that lighthouse as I would like to visit it very much.

Can you see the red lighthouse?

Small Armoury

This place is on tourist attraction maps, but I don't believe that most tourist would be bothered to check this place out. To those tourists I say: Shame on you! :)

Small arsenal is placed outside of immediate Old Town. I think that this would be the reason people can't be bothered going there. I, myself adore this place. I like it the most at night. Also small arsenal gives me the creeps at night, but I guess I like to torture myself. Why does it give me the creeps? I'll tell you later. First a little bit of history :)

The arsenal was build in 1645 during the times of uncertainty and wars :) It was built by one architect of many names: George Strakwitz, who liked to spell his surname differently. Sometimes he signed on his designs Strakowski or Strakoffsky (maybe he was trying to disguise himself as he simply wasn't that happy with his work - who knows:)

The small armoury is of a simple, but yet beautiful design, with very few decorative accents, but with six huge gates, that allowed to move in big objects. It is part of heavy fortification of Gdansk, but was used not only to store armoury, but also other objects like decorations used to embellish route for kings and queens.

As time went by and all wars finished, armoury wasn't used for military purposes. At one point it served as headquarters of taxi company (taxis went to sleep there :). Now small armoury is where art comes to life. The building is home to Faculty of Sculpture and Intermedia of Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk.

Remember, when I told you that small armoury gives me the creeps at night? Well, here is why: a lot of the sculptures made by fine artists are stored outside and a lot of them look like people. So when I walk alone in dark around that place, which isn't very busy I feel there are people up there are observing me.

Nonetheless small armoury is beautiful place, with small part upfront. And the cool think is that the outside display changes from time to time, so in a way it is like changing exposition at a museum :) What is also nice is that not far from small armoury are bastions, which I think are a must see for absolutely everybody.