Nightmare vacation - Rokytnice

We don't have luck with this area of the world. Last year when Radek went skiing in Harrachov he had to shorten his trip as I was admitted to hospital during my pregnancy with Kamila. But he got to know the area and we knew it was worth revisiting. So we did this year. It was a long-awaited trip for many reasons. Therefore you can imagine my disappointment when it turned out to be utter disaster!
What happened? The very first day we arrived Wojtek got severely ill. So I stayed with him and Kamila while Radek and my sister's family went skiing. This was the only day we saw the sun! The only day out of an almost week trip! Anyway, we managed to take a couple of photos that day. Have a look and I'll continue my story afterwards.

Skiing in Rokytnice:

My short walk around:

The next day wasn't particularly inviting for skiing but we decided to give it a try and it was a good idea because otherwise I wouldn't have touched the hills at all. The weather was bad, we had to ski in very difficult conditions (thick fog and very little visibility). It was the real fight for survival. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. Being able to spend time with my family, try and push my limits on the hills a bit... and a children-free morning - enough for me to appreciate it.

And a movie from that day:

After that day it was only worse. It wouldn't stop raining and one after another we got ill. I was by no means in the worst condition and I was unable to get up from the bed for like 2 days. My sister's husband was in a pretty bad shape too and when Radek started to fill a bit blue, we decided it was high time to go back to Szczecin. Did I mention it wouldn't stop raining? Anyway, although I do consider this as nightmare vacation, I do want to go back there the next year. In the end, I didn't get to hike those hills :)

Skiing in Szczecin (yes, it's possible!)

You remember my last post from Gubałówka hill? I told you I was up for skiing :) It's a thing in Szczecin! A thing that takes maybe 5 to ten 10 seconds but still! Have a look yourself:

 

Skiing in Harrachov

Now when we no longer live close to the mountains we really miss all mountains activities. So when I heard that our friends were going skiing this winter I joined them right away.

We went to the closest skiing resort possible - in the Czech city of Harrachov that is "just" 400 km from Szczecin.

First day after arrival we went to see the city of Harrachov and enjoy the famous Czech beer. We found Harrachov local brewery located in the same building as the glass foundry where you can watch glass craftsmen making beautiful glass while drinking beer and eating "Knedliczki".

The next morning we headed directly to ski slopes where my friends joined ski school and I checked out my skiing skills to find out that I did not forget anything from the last year. Unfortunately there where just two slopes in Harrachov. Quite few when compering to the Alps resorts but it was OK for the morning skiing and later we went to enjoy more Czech cuisines and beer.  

The next days we spent on skiing and some other tourist activities like visiting Szklarska Poręba, walking up the ski jumping hill, drinking more beer etc. Unfortunately I needed to get home faster than I planned but after all Harrachov was a good trip for a longer weekend. 

And a video:

Our last skiing outing this year: Espace Diamant

Our first outing together as a marriage and at the same time our last outing this year... In any case - an important day! We set off to Espace Diamant resort - one of the biggest in the area. We were both really looking forward to this day and the fact that we had had to wait for such a long time to ski together was rewarded by the most beautiful day in the mountains! The sky was cloudless and we could see as far as the horizon let us.

I really enjoyed the freedom of choice when skiing with my husband. By that I mean the freedom of routes, freedom of speed, freedom of timeline etc. Although the conditions were already so-so due to spring temperatures, it was a very nice day for us. Our lunch break was a cherry on a pie to all of that. We stopped at the most beautiful restaurant with an amazing views over the Alps. When we finished our meal at the table we moved over to sun loungers. The sun was literally frying us and it was such a blissful moment.

We were planning to go skiing again this season but due to really high temperatures, snow is not the best for skiing now and we prefer to use up our free days in a different way. But we are looking forward to the next season. Wherever we are next winter, we will find a way to ski together again.

Check out the movie we filmed during this beautiful day: