The start point at Smorowce Nizne
Finally I reach the river rafting post, one of the highlights of my recent visit to Poland. I think it fits quite well with Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge : Water. It’s a subject that I love, though you might have to excuse the odd mountain creeping into the background.
Here come the rafts
And the experienced oarsman, of course
And off we go!
The rafts have one older oarsman in the front, poleing skilfully and doing the commentary (po Polsku, of course!) while a younger model provides strength and endurance at the back. We are very lucky with the day and the water is serene and calm.
A flat expanse of sunny water
We pass by the village of Cerveny Klastor (Red Monastery), in Slovakia
With Trzy Korony (Three Peaks) visible on the Polish side
Under the bridge- don’t forget to wave!
Can you see the peaks of the Tatry Mountains in the distance?
We round a bend and the terrain changes completely
For a while the boatman can sit and chat
And a party of school children are delighted to overtake us!
The scenery is lush and green
Dwarfing us sometimes
And, naturally, I get my bum wet in some of the faster eddies!
But all too soon the journey ends and we are pulling in to shore
I hope you enjoyed my watery journey. It took about 2 hours through the Dunajec Gorge, and ended up back at Szczawnica, where I was staying. If you ever have the opportunity to go there, don’t hesitate.
But first you need to visit Cee, and have a little more fun with water.
restlessjo 
The rafts look interesting Jo, handmade I’ll bet. You probably rafted the same journey that the locals traveled many years ago. Nice!
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Yes, I think so, Elisa. I didn’t have a sack of flour or anything useful with me 🙂
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P.S. Sorry to hear you got wet again :O
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Breathtaking nature and beautiful captures, Jo. I wish so much to be there or some place similar now.
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I wish you were, Paula 🙂 Though lovely scenery is pretty close to you! I’ve been following Meg at Morsels and Scraps on her roundabout journey to Warsaw and Zagreb didn’t look too shabby, nor the lakes at Plitvice. Could you manage a weekend away somewhere nearby? There must be bargains to be had if you know where to look. Weekend hugs to you!
I think I was the only one on the boat to get a wet bum, but it was warm so it cooled me off 🙂
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Must have been a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing those gorgeous pictures. Makes me want to explore the Santa Helena Canyon of the Rio Grande some time (soon).
Take care, and have a great weekend,
Pit
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I’ll look forward to the photos if you do, Pit 🙂 Glad you enjoyed mine.
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What a glorious pictorial. It makes me want to go. I may add it to my list!
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Why not? I think you should, Joseph. It’s beautiful (and cheap!) 🙂
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Ooh I love cheap! 🙂
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Jo, these are stunning shots! Looks like such fun:)
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It was a wonderful experience, Lynn. I looked forward to it so much and the weather was totally perfect for us. 🙂
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Superb trip, very envious – I was expecting some serious white water though Jo 🙂
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Nah! I’m a softie, Robin 🙂
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Fantastic journey down the river, and some breathtaking scenery on the way. It really is beautiful there.
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Yes, it was glorious, Barb. I enjoyed it so much! 🙂
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Jo these are great photos and the boat looks very traditional. None of this fancy rubber raft with nylon ropes to hold on to. Looks like a great adventure!
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It was gentle fun, Sue. 🙂 I’m not really a ‘hard hat’ kind of girl but it was a superb way to see all that beauty at close quarters.
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It does give a different perspective doesn’t it Jo? 🙂
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What a wonderful rafting journey. The rafts (and the waistcoats) are fascinating. What is the reason (or tradition) for the greenery at the front of the raft?
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It may have been explained when I wasn’t paying attention, Ann, but I surmise it’s to cushion the boats when they reach the landing stage (or bump a riverbank, but I don’t think that’s so likely 🙂 )
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Some of the pletnas at Lake Bled had a small spray of something that might’ve been rosemary at the prow. I surmised good luck?
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It looks attractive, anyway.
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There was too much of the greenery on these rafts just for luck, Meg, but that’s a nice tradition 🙂
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Oh, what fun! You’re so adventurous, Jo! What a beautiful day and lovey scenic photos!
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It wasn’t exactly ‘white water’, Jill, but it was great fun and the scenery was spectacular. I loved the experience and it was a joy to share it 🙂
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Looks like just my speed. 🙂 I’m glad you had fun.
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Wow … exciting, alright, Jo ! 🙂 But I was never one for excitement, even when I was young. Way I was reared, I s’pose … Lovely photos ! Those ‘rafts’ are almost like punts, don’t you think ? – I mean, they have ‘floors’ !!
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Not a white water white knuckle ride, M-R 🙂 I’m not sure I’m that brave, but I loved seeing the mountains from the water 🙂
In close up they are 3 flat bottomed canoes, bound together! Strange but true. Many thanks for riding with me!
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My vicarious pleasure !!
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How beautiful Jo. The scenery is spectacular. And as for that blue waistcoat…
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Would you believe me if I said I hand sewed it myself? I thought not! 🙂
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I did enjoy it. His colorful embroidered vest and the scenery are beautiful. The water looked serene indeed and the only way I would have done it I think. Fun Jo. Did he speak English?
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No, Kathryn 🙂 One of the other ‘raftees’ offered to translate but I sort of got the gist of it and the scenery was too beautiful to care. Have a lovely weekend!
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You too Ms World Traveler!
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Oh what an amazing adventure, I would love to try this! And look at that deepest blue of skies…and the lush scenery….and the crystalline water… Gorgeous photosJo..,but this post tells me one thing… I need a holiday!!! 🙂
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You do! I’m very naughty- I’m going to have one 🙂
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Haha…and why not Jo… 🙂
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Beautiful
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Thanks, Paul 🙂 I was so glad I had the opportunity to do it.
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So, continue to make others too.
Paul
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That looks like fun!
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It was brilliant, thanks, Rajiv 🙂
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so beautiful photographs dear Johanna, but do you know what hit me more 🙂 the vest of this man, it is amazing, so beautiful embroidery. Thank you, have a nice weekend, love, nia
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Yes, I knew that you would like that, Nia 🙂 I couldn’t leave it out! Hope you have a lovely weekend too. I bet you’re still recovering from playing tour guide! 🙂 🙂
Hugs!
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OOHHH what fun! Bet you wouldn’t have enjoyed it if it had been “white water” rafting, though! 😉
Fabulous photos, Jo.
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I would have thought twice, Marianne, but I like to think that I might have given it a go 🙂 🙂 Well… maybe! You too?
Thanks, Marianne
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Stunning pictures, seems to be very special and romantic!
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Thank you very much 🙂 The scenery was glorious and we were so lucky with the weather.
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