Oct
15

Warsaw in 2015 ,presents itself as always charming,

snaptra on October 15, 2015

IMG_8142despite the horror and ravages of destruction during WWII , when 70 years ago in 1945 Warsaw was in 90 % in ruins today this city is just truly charming. Wide range of new infrastructure everywhere . Surprises await one in this amazing city in all attractive corners of this town . 71 years ago, during Warsaw uprising of 1944 ,this great city was nearly , totally annihilated by Hitler Nazi “ sonder komando”- special troops. IMG_8453Reborn to the tunes of popular song “King Zygmunt tell me if you have seen Warsaw more beautiful than today”, when day by day new buildings ,streets ,wide thoroughfares  were rebuild. This   heroic town shines with its beauty , especially this year , proudly as new line of subway, Boulevard along Wisla river makes one aware that Warsaw is top worldly city .Warsaw presents during the 2015 ,world renowned CHOPIN International Piano Competition which was in past attended by great piano virtuosos like Martha Argerich or Maurizio Pollini .Who shall be the winner this year. In this stimulating town one can experience beside culture also some very special culinary delights , like we’ll known Polish pierogi , with great soups and ice cream novelties of some surprising tastes. Rose petals, lavender or kogielmogiel, which is kind of special taste derived from eggs grinding with added flavours ,which only the ice cream makers like “Grycan”, know and hold these recipes treasures to make top taste butts delights . September is a special month for Polish nation to observe. 76 years ago Poland was attacked with brutal force of Nazi Germany what started WWII. IN 1944 SEPTEMBER, was also month when heroic Warsaw uprising ended and over one quarter of millions of ,Warsavians were killed. IMG_8184The beauty of Warsaw was in these tragic days totally destroyed only to be rebuild and now in 2015 appreciated by many thousands of visitors from all corners of Europe and the world. OLD TOWN most visited part of Warsaw. Beauty, styles of the houses it’s history is touching visitors imagination. But there at the foothill of Castle Square one comes across charming 18th century quarters of Warsaw, MARIENSZTAT. Also destroyed in ravages of WWII. Rebuild again at early stage of Warsaw rebirth after 1945 end of this horrible war, which took millions of lives and created for many years hellish aftermath of miserable existence for Warsavians and Poles. The horror of WWII has also touched many other cultures and people who were domiciling pretty war Poland. Jewish people who were related to Polish history through 1000 years of Poland nationhood. IMG_7867POLIN – Museum of history of Polish Jews at Warsaw in Muranow district presents amazing wealth of I formation , knowledge and facts on Jewish people in Poland. It is practically  must to visit this Museum  . Very interesting , truly impressive architectural  design beside the Memorial of the hero’s of   Warsaw ghetto 1943uprising .This museum unveils extraordinary  depth and wealth of knowledge about Jewish people in Polin, . It was special  place for Jewish people to go to as the historical annals of Jewish culture say. Warsaw presents beside mighty Atmore of old town, Krakowskie Przedmiescie or as everyone loves royal garden of Lazienki ,as well interesting places of  it’s peasantry ,like SASKA KEPA. THIS suburb being once island on wetlands of   Wisla river was in XVII CENTURY drained , dried and used by Dutch  settlers for horticulture and farming.  Now it is very vibrant place of artists and relaxation from busy centre of Warsaw . here  in wwii last defence lines were making Warsaw to show that this city is heroic and  will not be easily taken by Nazi German  occupiers .from Saska Kepa IMG_8453nice walk through Skaryszewski park ,with its  greenery, mature trees , along nice lake  with ducks amongst yellow buttercups one gets to Praga district. Here  in 1944 when the left side of  Wisla river , Warsaw  was attempting to shake the German Nazi shackles  of the occupation, in Praga Soviet troops were  positioned for possible assault  but  as history shows did not do any action of full support  of the WARSAW UPRISING. SOVIET troops  only in January  1945 crossed  Wisla river , to see totally destroyed  WARSAW,  where thousands were killed, but Praga to degree was saved the ravages of German Nazis systematically conducted destruction of WARSAW,  being punishment  for Warsaw  uprising of 01 august 1944.  Here in Praga one can beside observing the chick  atmosphere  of bazaars , or study  the history  of colourful social kaleidoscope  of Praga.  Here one can enjoy the world  renown E.WEDEL chocolate sweets and special  confectionery , as the author of the story did on the 04 September  being  international day of chocolate.  Of course LAZIENKI Royal complex with the summer residence  palace it’s gardens and park is one of favoured  Warsaw destination points of visit. Here visitors ,in royal atmosphere  can during Sundays enjoy in summery air, tunes of piano composition king , FREDERICK  CHOPIN . IMG_0505LAZIENKI PARK and it’s palaces were playground to last king of Poland Stanislaus August  Poniatowski. Here representatives of mighty nations discussed future of economic  and political affairs. American and Chinese diplomats  and politicians were  meeting at Mysliwiecki Palace of Lazienki to find platforms  of further ways of cooperation. Warsaw is truly modern worldly town and adopts concepts related to improve world climate effects by human activities, and on 22 September  being “ European day without car “ all public  transport is free in Warsaw and allows people to enjoy city with better air and commute to tramways and metro to all corners of Warsaw IMG_8281,like Praga to see newly opened museum of Praga or visit  great parts of Warsaw with its outskirts like Wilanow ,where king Sobieski palace and gardens excite visitors minds and stimulate their fantasies with its beauty .IMG_0118

Warsaw sparkles as very attractive , stimulating city of Central Europe and it should be as  part of any visitor to Europe , itinerary . Beside its attractions , Warsaw serves purpose  of being gateway to many splendid polish cities and towns , only to mention Gdansk , Sopot , Gdynia  so called Tri – city , Bydgoszcz with its amazing architecture or Torun – town of Copernicus.

 

Best deals in Warsaw for the  daily sightseeing tours or outside of Warsaw to Place of birth of Frederic Chopin ,presents Mazurkas Travel . Flights to Warsaw can be provided by LOT Polish Airlines with its partner within Star Alliance Singapore Airlines.

 

WMIG

15 October 2015-10-15

 

Websites to visit:

-Singapore Airlines- http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/au/home

-LOT Polish Airlines- http://www.lot.com/pl/en/

-Mazurkas Travel – http://www.mazurkas.com.pl/incoming-bureau/

– Warsaw City information-  http://www.um.warszawa.pl/en

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Feb
21

Queenstown New Zealand

snaptra on February 21, 2015

What a marvel! Outright shining precious gem of great holiday resort atmosphere and beauty. This town is gateway to Milford Sound which could be with its natural beauty, one of best examples  of the amazing   charm and attraction of visiting  Southern Alps of New Zealand . The Milford Sound being actually a FJORD ,  as it would be called in Norway  or in other places .  Milford Sound is truly resounding in amazement  in one mind,  while cruising the  crystal clear, cold waters.  Dynamic  rapids , huge water falls , snow covered peaks , seals playing in the water  and all other  mind boggling reflections one stores in one’s memories, are just  truly extraordinary means to keep one happy and joyous with life . Nature here presents to  the humanity how powerful she is  and simultaneously beautiful . Here in New Zealand  one  witnesses gentleness of green fields and pastures and fury of strong southerly winds , colours of the waters in its turquoise and pure  blue,   while heavy clouds  coming over the west coast from Pacific with its cobalt , lead  and grey,  present one with mesmerizing emotions.

The South Island with it’s steep  peaks  of mountain ranges,  crowned  by glaciers , valleys with briskly flowing icy waters  and the rich  Maori culture,  with it’s stories and legends related to the New Zealand geological past. Also, being  part of  the Maori traditional charm and understanding of Gondwanaland, enriches visitors experiences in this  beautiful region of the world.
As the traditional story says the MAUI the demi- God took his brothers from HAWAIIKI to the south waters of the South sea  for fishing .  They were, as story says, magic took them all the way to Te Ika a Maui (the fish of Maui), which is known today as North Island of New Zealand.  The  South Island  known in mythology  as  Te Waka a Maui (the waka of Maui) . There are many stories which incorporate  geological concept of modern understanding how these volcanic Island came about . So Ranginui (the sky)  of its  blue beauty on sunny day  the  Papatūānuku (the earth) with its  beauty so divinely represented in South Island are all in the Maori mythology .   History of  geological  past indicates that  volcanic activity, earthquakes and geothermal areas,  related to the position on the  boundary of the Australian Plate and Pacific Plates gave birth to these magic islands.

For travellers who  visit New Zealand’s  South Island  there are places like Te Anau,  where one  can start a relaxing trip to Milford Sound ,  Wanaka the  gateway to Mt. Aspire, with fun like Helicopter flights, including glacier landing and Twizel,  starting point for Mt. Cook adventure. Here the famous New Zealand salmon can be fished or simply purchased for next dinner with very special New Zealand wines .  Cromwell  being  just short drive from Queenstown is also attractive place to visit, as the drive allows to visit the place of the adventures people, indulging in Bungy jumping . New Zealand has many truly wild concepts of fun  awaiting visitors. Speed boating on the  wild rivers , bungy jumping , paragliding , tandem  parachuting, trumping, biking or just to enjoy  culinary  speciality of green-lipped mussel,  which as it is said have very positive effects on health . Of course walking is also one of the magnetic attractions for many . With beauty of countryside  and getting lungs filled with pure air , drinking cool, like spring waters, short day tracking  or as some do,  few days walks  across the Southern Alps is very special experience .  For these who  can not allow themselves walking to the heights of the mountains there are helicopter rides to the glaciers . This experience  provides  joy of seeing , nearly touching these magic mountains,  or just  have fun  with the  thrill of  helicopter flight .

New Zealand beside its natural attractions , sport , adventure has also human aspect to its beauty . Domiciled by Maori  people  and people of South Pacific Island, it  is also home  to many  people of European cultures and nations. This is a country where  everyone welcomes  visitors as the citizens of this country have shown to the world and its dedication to  participate in world affairs .  When during beginning of last century   Europe was  ravaged by atrocities of WWI ,  New Zealanders together with Australians   joined  the arms  in ” ANZAC ”   military corps  and also in WWII ” ANZAC” forces were also fighting to defend democracy and freedom . New Zealand after WWII became home to many ” DP”-  Displaced People and even children of Poland who were escaping  horror of war and destruction  brought upon the world.

In the turbulence  of humanity  in today’s modern world,  places like New Zealand provide balance and calm into minds of visitors.
GO  to  NEW ZEALAND  , visit this amazing country .
February 2015

WMIG

Websites to consider before  visit  Southern Alps N.Zealand :

  • http://www.newzealand.com.au/ – informative website about New Zealand
  • http://www.singaporeair.com/SAA-flow.form – for fares on Singapore Airlines to New Zealand
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