Zakopane and a challenge (or two)......

Today we were collected by our tour guide from our hotel in Krachow after breakfast ( what a repast that was) and driven through pretty rural  areas to the mountainous town of Zakopane.
The outskirts of the city are unsightly but once we left the trappings of Communism behind we enjoyed the distinctive pitched roofed houses designed to tip off the snow.Some beautiful examples of wooden homes,carved doors and impressive facades decorated by scenes carved into the wood.The churches were interesting too, mostly Catholic in this area but they have bulbous towers which look a little turk ish.
Zakopane is bigger than expected.The houses are mostly wooden, some in wood cabin designs but others have very distinctive features.Must get some photos to share.
About 30,000 people are resident here but it is like Queenstown and very busy summer and winter.Skiing is huge here and much building evident in the town.We are staying in a pension quite close to the National Park where we started walking after lunch.
Our map reading skills were terrible today.We got distracted by a man giving us the rest of his tickets to enter the park. You pay here to go into the parks.We ended up heading up a different valley to the one we should have and by the time we realised our mistake we decided it was too far to go back so we would soldier on.What a climb.We climbed up to a pass about 1370 meters so the muscles were protesting.
Once we got to the path I decided to climb to the top of the peak for the view.Well it was a challenge but I made it.I had to scramble up but worse coming down.I have climbed a peak in the Tatra Mts.Now I plan to rest on my laurals.
It was a long way down the mountain,tough tracks to negotiate and easy to fall.Total concentration needed.We met heaps of other walkers,families,couples,young and old they are an active nation and enjoy the outdoors.
Scenery was spectacular and the late afternoon colors a rich mix of blues and purples.Lots of plants in the lower valleys along with beech,spruce and pine trees.
It took us five hours to finish the walk so it was a relief to have a hot shower and a cup of tea before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant.
We had traditional dumplings,salads,cheese and ice cream with warmed cherries to complete the meal.Just lovely sitting outside listening to a local polish band performing indoors to a receptive crowd.
Time for bed.We do it all over again tomorrow.Goodnight readers.