Night in Kudowa Zdroj, Poland

Here is one of my exotic locations in Poland.

Time was against me in the small spa town (That also specialized in sanitariums?) so it proved impossible to find accomodation. Luckily it was a very safe town that reminded me of the one I grew up in slightly so I decided to stay up through the night and catch the first train out that was sadly not until 6:45am.

As you can see I was still up at 5 and must have easily put in over 10 miles with my pack on to keep myself awake (This is just training to hike some of the Appalachian Trail when I get back).

The guy pictured below (look closely) was there with me so no need to worry mom. He locked himself out of his house and drunkenly passed out in front of his house. I kept a safe distance.

The one spoil I recieved was that en route to sitting near the train station near 3 or 4 am I smelled fresh bread being made and realized that there was a local bakery right across the street so after hours of agonizingly waiting for them to open for the day I loaded up on delicious treats.

At 6:45 am I boarded that train that would average 3 miles and hour until my 11:15 arrival in Wroclaw Poland. I am taking the bus back I think.


Despite my stay I would recommend Kudowa Zdroj to anyone that knowingly goes there and makes reservations. It has an indoor water park and a lot of good bars and restaraunts. Just make sure you book in advance or arrive while there is still daylight.

To Prague and Up to the Polish Border

So here is the beginning of my trip to parts of Eastern Europe. On the morning of the 31st I finalized my move from the flat in Birmingham and took off for Prague.


One last look at the flat as I headed to my flight...


Then in no time I found myself in Prague and instantly on a train (This just shows bad planning on my part)


The train was one of 3 that got me to the border Czech Rep. Town of Nachod. Looking back on it I should have just got a room here but I saw that there was a 10:30pm bus that crossed the border into Poland so I took it.


The bus randomly dropped me off on a street in the next town and there I was at 11 o'clock in a relatively quiet (resort/spa/family) town and in search of a place to stay. (Note: that this would definitely be the kind of town that had a lot of hotels but also the kind of town that was quiet enough that staff were not kept on for late check-ins.)

POWDER DAY IN THE CHAMONIX VALLEY!!!

Yesterday there was over a foot of fresh snowfall in the Chamonix Valley... Yes, I mean it was a powder day.

Here is a shot of me in front of the trail map to start my day.

I love it when you can stop and look down and not see your board....


I had to go off-piste which is the French way of saying off of the trail to make some of my own lines.

I also did some boarding in Switzerland as well because the border is literally this rope.


After all of my travels you can tell that this was the best and easiest border crossing I have ever had to make.

Border Crossing Chaos...

2 days ago I woke up early in the morning in Arica, Chile and began my journey into Tacna, Peru. It is one of the structured border crossings in and out of the country and I had done it in reverse already on my way out of Peru a couple of months ago. Needless to day the situation has change a little since then.

The crossing was easy enough

Then things got a little rocky... literally. Hundreds of people had relocated thousands of rocks into the street to keep cars from entering and also threw rocks at the cars that might have tried to go around.


My taxi drived turned through the median and drove back a little bit before dropping us off miles outside of town. I then had to walk through the town of protesters hoping that they didn't turn on me.


I walked for over 2 hours and found out that the bus station was closed indefinitely and that I would be stuck in Tacna if I couldn't find a flight out.

They also had large demonstrations in the main square.


(I apologize for the lack of quality pics, but I didn't want to get stoned for taking pictures. You never know what could set somebody off)

Luckily for me I had a friend. One of the people in my taxi extended his hospitality to me and accompanied me to the bus station. When it was found to be closed he then took me into his home and helped me find a way out and made sure I was well fed. Needless to say I hope to have found a friend for life.

This is my friend Christian and his family. Without them I am certain that Tacna could have become the worst part of my trip, but now I consider to be one of my best days.


His hospitality extended far and beyond any common courtesy. It is something that I have found abundantly during my time in Peru and that is why I consider Peru as one of my favorite places in the world.

I do think I started a guitar player on her way while I was there, and afterwards I managed to catch a cab that snuck me to the airport and I flew into Lima. No more buses for this guy.

Please excuse my horrible Spanish

Para Christian y la familia,

Gracias por la hospitalidad. Usted es verdad un gran amigo. Recordaré siempre su ayuda y esperanza de permanecer en tacto.

Su amigo,

jonny walker