Last weekend we spent in Gdansk, Poland. We went by ferry from Karlskrona to Gdynia, and then by taxi and train to and from Gdansk and Sopot. I had a gloomy vision of Poland since my school days – coal, polluted, misty, drab…and no one could convince me of anything else. I had to see it with my own eyes….And, I was met by lovely people (not that good English speakers, but there are hands, feet, body and face to use!), a wonderfully restored city and a glorious resort in Sopot.
Early morning mist and we woke up to this wiew of the harbour. Looking out through the window, the big cranes were sailing by…
….behind the containers, the city itself was rising from the morning mist.
The King walked this way when he had received the key to the city. Dluga – or the Long Street. It is difficult to understand how all these magnificent buildings all were rebuilt from the disasters of WWII.
Passing the Town Hall, which is the highest building in the city – 81 metres – we reached the fountain of Neptune. But first, let’s take a closer look at some of the architecture.
Oh, the doors and their ornaments…
…and all the old and new signs and lamp posts, intricately woven in iron.
Many old ladies were selling their home made knittings – among many other things…in the street.
And the colours were amazing – on houses and people and clothes and …
…balloons!
This fountain, built in 1549, was so popular with the citizens that they took it down piece by piece to hide it during the war. Not until 1954 was it put together again!
And now, the mighty Neptune himself guided us to…
…the Waterfront. Restaurants, cafés and people, people. More from the beauty, the people and the ships on the Waterfront in the next post!
Leya 
Virtual Blog Tour
The Virtual Blog Tour is a relatively new project for bloggers. The rules are fairly simple:
So –
I am still travelling and still loving photography even if I’m not a trained photographer. Attending a photography course is one of my goals once I retire from teaching. My trips this summer went to Scotland and Denmark and all those photos have not been sorted out yet…And, I’m constantly loving my dog, Totti, of course.
From Scotland – Highland Cattle grazing – while a ship is sinking…
17th Century house in Köge, Denmark
2. How does my work differ from others of this genre?
Maybe it doesn’t differ that much… but I try to show the world around me, focusing on nature and other architectural marvels. Usually I give some information about the photos too, or show them as a short story in a gallery. I also have a blog for photos that I cannot easily fit in to a story, but are favourites anyway. http://faialflores.wordpress.com/
And, recently I started a third blog for the love of trees, for my hikes and car tours, http://treetreats.wordpress.com/ – here I also want to feature guest posts!
3. Why do I write/create what I do?
I think this started because of my work as a teacher. I spend so much time correcting students’ papers and essays – but I never get to write or express myself only because I want and need to. Another reason is my neverending love for nature. Nature is soothing and ever changing, listening and answering many of my questions…I think maybe it’s giving more than me some of the best reasons for living on this planet Earth. Creating posts here is also a must when I try to relax after a tough day at work.
Photography gives me the opportunity to capture special moments as well. Literature, theatre and movies are other great interests – I try to review as many as I find time for in my blog.
4. How does your writing/creating process work?
It usually starts with a view…a photo, or a series of photos, and then I try to give some interesting information around it/them. Sometimes facts I have read and sometimes I just try to put the reader in the same mood as I was when the photo was taken. I love weaving short stories of photos.
Can you feel the mood in this one – ?
Now I also hope to have the pleasure of introducing you to Maria at http://mariayarri.wordpress.com/ : I love animals and especially dogs … I´m half way to the hundred and during my life I have always been a person who like our nature in generally and forest in particular; and I try to combine that with my other interest photography
She is a marvellous nature photographer and doesn’t forget to include her friend Yarri in her posts. He usually has his say about things too…The other important part of her blog is about ageing parents and how to deal with Alzheimers.
Thank you for joining us on Monday, Maria! We’re looking forward to your contribution.