DAY 37

Wednesday 17 August 2011

While we waited for the mechanic to open up, Dian went and bought some rain boots. At noon we took the car in for the final fan belt and filter parts.

When Charles and Dian were squabbling about which way to get back, Nicole, self-named The Homing Pigeon, often lead the way (coo).

We thought of Grandad when we saw a firehouse by the Salt Mines!

Tunnels leading from one area of the mine to the next

Since so many people (including our guru Rick Steves) had raved about the Wieliczka Salt Mines, we decided to go in our van since it was only a half an hour away. Humming like a Singer sewing machine, we took our van to the famous Salt Mines, the oldest continuously running mine in the world, and the sixth longest operating business in Europe. Charles’ press pass got him in free, and Nicole’s student status gave another discount. Dating from the 1200s, the miners themselves carved sculptures of various subjects from Copernicus (one of the first tourists there) to Brownies (little mine elves who worked after the humans left) to the Pope (the Polish one).  After taking the life-risking elevator cage up to the surface, we had a ten-inch Duzy, a chocolate and vanilla soft-serve.

Stairs leading down into the mines

Driving through Krakow, our rumbling tummies urged us to find an authentic Polish restaurant. We ended up at an authentic Chinese restaurant. The food was delicious with large quantities and good prices (be forewarned: when requesting tap water, please confirm that it is indeed tap water you are being served, or you will be charged for mineral water at  $3 a pop – pop would be cheaper).

It's a Duzy!