In June, after we bought two bikes we decided to “hit the road” and explore the Eastern part of Poland. Between 25-30 June we were biking mainly in the Lubelskie region, sleeping at night in our tent, at times cooking our own food, but mainly living on maślanka (very similar to yoghurt) and fresh rolls. In total, we did more than 400 kilometers: driving through small villages, talking to people (mainly Ania) and just simply exploring the rural Poland. If you do not like the fact that traveling with car creates a border between you and the outside world, then traveling with bike it is a very good alternative. On the other hand, a bit of physical exercise is always welcomed:).

25 June 2005

At 6.45, we take the train from Warsaw to Puławy where we arrive at half past eight. Of course, the first thing that we do is go and get a coffee. Later we bike to Kazimierz where we leave the bikes at a small shop and we go and explore the city. In the main square, there is a traditional fair along with a folk music contest. We hang around listen to the music and take photos. The atmosphere is great, the people happy and smiley: this is all what we need! Kazimierz is small but very nice and definitely, it has its own atmosphere. After a couple of hours we leave and take a sandy “off-road” which is a bit to much for our bikes, but eventually we make it to Wiklów. Next to Wiklów, we notice that people are picking strawberries in the field so we go there and buy some. These are the best strawberries, which we ever ate! Later we pass through Zagłoba, Łaziska and late afternoon we arrive to Kaliszany where we spend the night in our tent.

26 June 2005

We start the day at 7 and we are on the road by 8. In a rainy weather, we bike through Jozefów, Prawno, Dzierzkowice. In Kraśnik, we stop for a double coffee and try to explore the city a bit, but in this rainy weather, we rather bike on. Late afternoon we arrive to Zdriłowice where we ask a family if we can put our tent on their land. Of course, they agree and when we visit their house to ask for water for tea they show us the real Polish hospitality: sausage and bread on the table along with chrzan (spicy horseradish) and tasty cakes. The daughter of the family gives us quite a “show”: she is singing old Polish songs and playing on the electric org. Strange but funny experience:)!

27 June 2005

After breakfast, we get on our bikes again. We bike through Tokary, Gilów and Nadecznica. The weather is great for biking and it is even a bit sunny. We see amazing landscapes, small quite villages and after Nadecznica, we again buy strawberries from the producer. Yummy! In Szczebrzeszyn (if you are not Polish do not even try to read it:)) we try to find a coffee house but we end up making our own coffee. Early afternoon we arrive to Zwierzyniec, a city with great local and independent beer! We put up our tent in the courtyard of a hostel, eat a bit and then go to the pub of the beer factory. One of the best beers we have ever had! The city is small, but nice and it is a good place to explore the nearby national park.

28 June 2005

We leave the bags in the tent and start to explore the region. We drive through the following villages: Guciów, Krasnobród, Susienec, and Jozefów. On the way back to Zwierzynec, we take a new track and pass through the national park. Ania’s bike is on the verge of breaking down and makes horrible sounds. After we get back to Zwierzyniec, we find a bike repair shop so Ania’s bike recovers. Of course, we close the day in the pub of the beer factory:).

29 June 2005

We pass by Guciów again and have a coffee and a beer at a traditional pub and we start our way to Zamośc. After we arrive, we leave our bikes with a shop assistant and explore the city. Zamośc is full of renaissance wonders and according to urban planning criteria, it is a “perfect city” (just like the downtown of Barcelona). You will find here many coffee houses, restaurants and in general, it is quite touristy. After a couple of hours, we head to Rejowiec Fabryczny from where we supposed to take a train to Lublin the next day. Before it gets dark, we reach Zawody where we put up our tent on the shore of a small lake. The memorable moments of the evening are the cold shower and a can of Zwierzyniec beer:).

30 June 2005

We really have to push hard to make it in time for the train. We arrive just a couple of minutes before the train so we even manage to get tickets. An hour later, we are in Lublin where it is a bit difficult to find the OldCity, especially on bike. However, it is really worth the effort because we are amazed by the old part. The architecture is very nice, the atmosphere intimate so we really spend four nice hours in the city. Late afternoon we take a train back to Warsaw.