Pilawa Gorna, Lodz, Warsaw and Home Sweet Home - November 6 to 14, 2016

We are on our way home.  After an 8 hour drive from Hamburg to Mircza's house in Pilawa Gorna, Poland, we were ready to bed down at her house.  The drive from her house to Lodz, Poland the next day was about 4 hours, not bad.  I spent my last few days taking it easy and sightseeing in Lodz with Sophie.   On Friday, Michael drove me to the Warsaw Chopin Airport Marriott where I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night.  Michael and I said our goodbyes and agreed to plan a trip together to visit his daughter Anna in Quebec City where she is working for two years.  On Saturday I took the bus to Old Warsaw.  I did not punch my bus ticket (mandatory) and of course I got a $45 ticket which I was able to pay on the spot with my credit card.  I spent the day in Old town and  had a great Polish dinner.   Home sweet home, the airport is right across the street- how convenient!  It's been a great trip!

Neat architecture in downtown Lodz

Lodz is called the "Hollywood of Poland"  They have stars of their famous directors and actors 

 Heading toward Old town of Warsaw on a beautiful crisp morning

Hamburg & Lubek Germany - November 2 to November 6

We arrived in Hamburg at 4:30 Wednesday evening and have a really nice apartment for the next few days.   On Thursday we walked to the Hamburg Rathaus (city hall), a beautiful building.   Then we walked on many bridges over the canals in Hamburg to reach the port.  On our boat ride we were right next to the huge container ships.

Our very spacious Air B&B in Hamburg for 5 nights!

 Our Balcony

Hamburg Rathaus  (City Hall)

 

Walking to the main port takes you thru wonderful varied canals.

 New Opera House in Hamburg 

 Sunday fish market on the port was a trip not to be missed! Everything from food to clothing to restaurants and music - happens every Sunday and by noon they are all gone

 

  Entrance to Lubek, Germany - a nice town but we had rain all day

Schwerin, Germany - November 2, 2016

We left Berlin on Wednesday morning. We stopped in the city of Schwerin on our way to Hamburg.   Schwerin is the capital and second-largest city of the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. We visited Schwerin Castle which is located on an island in the city's main lake, the Schweriner See Lake.  Today it is used by the state parliament.   The Germans nicknamed it the Neuschwanstein of the North. We walked around the castle and stopped to have a coffee in the cafe located inside.

Schwerin Castle

Enjoying coffee and desert in the Castle Restaurant

All around the Castle there are neat settings and beautiful grounds

 A picture frame with a real live background