Krakow

Greetings from Krakow, a really nice place to spend a long weekend. And I had perfect weather the last three days! Here are some photos from around the main square...






Not far from the main square is Wawel Hill, overlooking the town and the river... with a cathedral and the former residence of Polish royalty.




According to legend, a dragon used to terrorise the residents of Wawel Hill. Every couple of minutes, the statue breathes fire - either I'm too slow with the camera or you just can't see the flames against the background...

On Tuesday, I look a daytrip to the Wieliczka salt mines, where pretty much everything is made of salt, including this chandelier, and a number of sculptures...

And Wednesday I took another daytrip, this time to Auschwitz, which unfortunately doesn't need too much introduction... it's pretty awe-inspiring seeing the massive piles of human hair, or the sheer size of the concentration camp at Birkenau where thousands a day would go straight from the train to the gas chamber.

That's basically it for the European leg of my world tour. Tomorrow it's Lyon, to see Coldplay in concert. (where helpfully the French public transit workers are going on strike, making it difficult to get to the venue!!!) Then Friday I connect via London to my flight to Mauritius, where the African leg will begin. (and five months away from Europe!!!) Hopefully my first flight will be on time, unlike previous efforts at connecting via London!!!

So next time you hear from me, I should be on African soil!!!!!

P.S. I'm now an uncle - how cool is that!!!! Congratulations to my brother and his wife - can't wait to meet the little guy with the big feet!!!