Day 6 - Morski Oko & downtown Zakopane

Hiking Morskie Oko

Fees were 5 zl to get into the National Park and 20 zl to park the car. They park you very close side-by-side and also leave "just" enough room to pull out down a narrow alleyway between the rows of cars. The estimate of hiking two hours to the lake and another two hours back was daunting so we decided to take the horse carriage. The team worked hard pulling our wagon of 12 to the lake and it took almost an hour. They stop partway up to water the horses, give them a brief rest, and cool them down with water.

Where the carriage leaves us, there is still a 30 minute hike to the lake. But, of course, a 30 minute hike for us translates into an hour with photo stops to give ourselves a break without looking like we're dying from the heat, altitude, and incline.

A Sister hiking on the unpaved path. I've seen more nuns in habits here than ever I would see in the U.S. since some orders aren't required to wear their habits.

One of our "catch your breath" stops.

Reaching Morskie Oko, the crowds were everywhere and it was obvious that people come to spend the day. No one swims in the lake but there's lots of feet soaking going on and just hanging out.  Many children and lunches galore but no trash is left to pollute the scene.

Waters' edge and lunch

Distant waterfall

Path around Morskie Oko

We begin our walk back to the carriages for our 30 zl ride back down. Why does the trip back seem shorter and quicker than the walk up to the lake? I guess downhill back is a big factor. We reward ourselves with an ice cream cone and the horses trot the entire way downhill to their reward of changing teams.

We drive into Zakopane and were fortunate enough to find a parking space on the main drag. We walk down and back looking at so many tourist items that were "made in China"! Naturally, we didn't buy a thing. But music coming out of Zyk Zak lured us in for dinner of Zurek soup, kielbasa, and a kebab of pork and onion. We shared the meat and each had the soup for 23.50 zl each.

We see many street musicians but this guy was just too cute to pass by without giving him a tip. The children were enthralled!

He can't believe his eyes when Melodie has the boy in red put a 10 zl note in the case.

Hoping the video makes it because this puppeteer is great and you'll enjoy the music too.

We ended our day with an evening spent in the living room of the hostel with Yanis (John) from Greece and Pieter and Wennes (Wayne) from Belgium. We had a great time talking about anything and everything and laughing a whole lot! 

Off to our room at 22:30 and jumping in bed by midnight.  Tomorrow we drive back to Krakow by way of the Wielitczka Salt Mine. My claustrophobia will be tested on the elevator ride back up where they cram 7 people into a tiny space.  Or so I'm told.