Krakow - Day Four The Botanical Gardens of the Jagiellonian University & the Jewish Ghetto of Krakow

Here we are, showing off our tans in the golden, Polish summer sunshine. 

Initially, we were not sure what to do on this day.

I thought that it might be a good idea to go and see the Botanical Gardens. We quickly decided to go ahead and do this.

We were wondering how to get there, and upon looking at the map, I noticed that it did not actually look all that far, and was probably within walking distance. So, we went ahead and began to walk, stopping by the train station along the way. The walk was not that bad, although the weather was surprisingly hot. It was the first fully, sunny day that we had during our visit to Poland.

When we got there, it did not look obvious that we were near the gardens, but this was mostly due to the way that it was angled. But the layout of the place quickly became clear. Maps helped, of course. 

Mostly, it is just a nice place to wonder around, and take in the beauty and peacefulness of the place. 

Here are some of the pics:

Better Camera

Some More Pics of Krakow:

I forgot to add this to one of my earlier blogs, because I forgot precisely what day this was. I think, if memory serves correctly, that it was the day of the Wawel visit, sometime deep in the afternoon, approaching evening. But then again, it may have been the third day, following Mount Kościuszko. In fact, in writing this, I am getting more and more certain that it was, indeed, after climbing the mound.  But, I can't be too sure, because....well, my memory kind of sucks for certain things like that these days, you know?  

Besides, that's not really the point. The point is this: there were gold carts offering tours of the city of Krakow. You could visit the Old Town, the Jewish Ghetto, or Schindler's Factory. Possibly some other things, although I don't remember (See? Told you my memory sucks!). 

It looked like a fun way to visit the city.

It wasn't. 

In fact, it was too expensive, and it had this whole sucking quality about it. 

The thing is, when you are in one of those things, there is simply no way of feeling other than a tourist. It makes you feel like you are standing out like a sore thumb. 

Also, we zig zagged around the Old Jewish Ghetto, and probably would have been just as well, if not outright better, visiting by foot. With knowledge of the layout of the place, I am quite sure we could have seen everything that was pointed out to us, and in around the same time, for that matter. 

It might even have been informative, if the quality of the recording was not so poor. But it sounded horrible, and I almost cringed every time the voice came on. Also, it made us stand out that much more as tourists, because it felt like everyone within a mile radius could hear it. 

In short, the gold cart things might look like fun. But they are not. In fact, they suck. 

So, don't make the same mistake that we made. When you see these things, and the person driving it is urging you to hop on, don't do it! It is not a fun or novel way of viewing the city, but it is a costly and annoying way. Of course, if you are into the whole costly and annoying thing, then go right ahead. But otherwise, steer clear! And don't say that you weren't warned! 

These two pictures are of what I believe to be the last remaining part of the wall that kept the Jews inside of the Ghetto during the German occupation of the city. Sorry, but I really do not know what the plaque says, unfortunately. But it was an interesting thing to see!

We took a boat ride, and these were some of the pictures that came from that small cruise along the Vistula. 

The Wawel seen from the river.

This was one of my favorite shots, taken during the boat cruise. 

The lawn inside the Wawel.

I liked the angle of this view, looking up at the Wawel walls, and the illuminated towers inside, during the nighttime. 

The view of the illuminated Wawel from the River Vistula looked like it would be a really beautiful shot. But I'm not actually all that thrilled with how it came out, actually. 

This was a really incredible shot. I saw this view, and I just had to take it! 

Market Square by night.

Cloth Hall at night.

Here are some pictures that I finally found from the restaurant that we ate at the first day that we were there. Nice place to dine!

Collegium Maius - Jagiellonian University