Warsaw after 22 years

I took one brief final walk around the scenic areas of Gdansk before breakfast, then left for the railway station around 0930 to catch the train around 1000.

It was an uneventful ride in a conventionally-configured train to Warsaw Central, taking about 3h10.  Time went quickly as I tried to find alternative accommodation in Beijing, my next stop.

With a 0400 arrival there, I was hoping to find a cheaper hotel so I can book for the night before, without having to count on chance to have an early check-in.  As it turned out, Dennis, my travel companion for that part of the trip had shipped some orders to the hotel, so I couldn’t change it.

The train arrived a little late.  As usual, coming out from underground, it took me a while to orientate myself for the 15 min walk to the Premiere Classe hotel.

I checked in bang on 1400, which is their standard check-in time.  After a rest, I figured out the public transport to go for a wander.

Exploring Warsaw

It had been 22 years since my last visit to Warsaw.  I was keen to re-explore.

First up was the Palace of Culture & Science, an iconic Soviet-era landmark.  It houses various public and cultural institutions, including theatres, museums, universities, a cinema, a concert hall, a public swimming pool, and the offices of the Polish Academy of Sciences.  For me, it was good for some photos from the outside as it looked like a wedding cake.

I got tempted by a big fancy glassed-in mall nearby called Zlote Tarasy.  The food court in the top floor is pretty awesome with lots of choices.

From there, I used the transfer ticket from my earlier ride to the old town.  Soon after I got to the Royal Palace area, it started to rain.  After taking refuge till the rain passed, I continued my exploration to the Market Square.  From there, I headed to the Uprising Monument, which commemorated the resistance against the Nazis in 1944.

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Losing interest

I considered returning the old town for another wander as the weather had turned nice again.  But I needed a wee and the pay toilets here only took cash which I had none.

Further, I was losing interest in old towns after the magnificence of Gdansk.  At this age, I’ve seen too much already.  And with the weak NZD this year, it hurts to go somewhere for a meal or a drink.  The weather didn’t help either.  I’m definitely getting jaded this afternoon.

I returned to the Zlote Tarasy to use the facilities and had a good wander.  At the big supermarket, I bought some muesli for my ongoing travel breakfast and a salad for dinner.

Having had too many sandwiches and bread rolls, I didn’t want anymore bread.  I bought some peanuts instead to bulk up my salad to help keep me full.

Surfacing from indoors, I found that the weather was now torrential.  I decided that the suburban train would be the best way to get back instead of bus or walking.

Unfortunately, that mode also involved an outdoor portion.  Then came the confusing route to access the correct platform and track.  In Poland, a train platform may have two tracks whereas in most other countries, a platform serves one track.

I settled back in about 1845 and had my chicken salad topped with peanuts.  Despite the train ride, I had clocked up over 19,000 steps and was tired again.