Łeba

 

The Neptun Hotel
- a beautiful landmark on the beach
Source: private albums

I Love Łeba, and I'm not alone here.

Once you visit this charming town located on the Baltic Coast (North of Poland), you will fall in love and want to return. 

There are many reasons why I love this place. Here are a few: large and sandy beach, beautiful sunsets, tasty fried fish, lovely harbor, many, oh so many activities to do, and on top of that: my family lives there! 

Łeba is perfect for leisure and summer fun, but it's also great throughout the year and offers variety of activities for each season.

Here are only a few things to consider doing when visiting this picturesque town, besides swimming and sunbathing:

1. Słowiński Park Narodowy (Słowiński National Park) - a huge attraction! This Park belongs to the UNESCO's World Biosphere Reserves. It is famous for shifting dunes, that are unique in a world scale. Impression that you get is like being in the middle of the desert :o) Słowiński National Park is also a home for different bird species (260 types of birds). Peat bogs, meadows, woods and four lakes: Łebsko,  Gardno, Dołgie Wielkie and Dołgie Małe create the perfect environment. A must-see!
2. Windsurfing and kitesurfing. There is a school with professional instructors located near the Sarbsko Lake - 2 km outside of Łeba.
3. Kayaking on the Sarbsko Lake.
4. Horse riding. A stable is located in Nowęcin village, outside of Łeba. Horse riding on the beach and horse riding camps are available.
5. Fishing!
6. Lots of biking routes.
7. Camping sides.
8. Nordic walking (especially in spring and fall). Check out this Nordic Walking School with professional instructors located at Zdrowotel Łeba. (http://www.zdrowotel.pl)

I hope, that you are convinced to visit!

When the sun goes down ...
Source: private albums

Lifeguard standing a watch on a rainy day
Source: private albums 

Beautiful summer evening
Source: private albums

What a view on a rainy day - at the harbor
Source: family pictures

Swans don't mind rainy days
Source: family pictures

 

Łeba's beach in winter
Author: Elzbieta Pietruszewska

Kokosanki

Sweet memory from childhood. 

Yet, another one :o)

Whenever my mom would buy coconut macaroons, I was literally in heaven!

In Poland they are called "kokosanki".

Cute name, huh? :o)

Well, today I made some, and after tasting/sampling/stuffing my mouth with them, I'm ready to share the recipe with you. 

Warning: pure sweetness!

 

Kokosanki

Yield: around 15 macaroons 

Recipe from "Good Housekeeping" magazine, modified (I didn't dip macaroons in chocolate)

2 1/2 c. sweetened coconut flakes

2/3 c. sweetened condensed milk

1/3 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. vanilla extract

pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven to 350º F and grease a cookie sheet.

2. Stir dry ingredients first, then add condensed milk and vanilla.

3. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto a cookie sheet.

3. Bake for 15 min or until golden on bottoms.

4. Let cool. I didn't... :o) They taste the best cold, but who cares... 

Flag Day

Flag Day was established in 2004, and falls on May 2nd every year.
Polish flags dancing in the wind can be seen already on May 1st (Labor Day - Swieto Pracy) which is usually the beginning of a "long weekend" in Poland. May 3rd brings another national holiday and that is Constitution Day - Swieto Konstytucji 3 Maja.
That's lots of time off this year ;-)
Happy long weekend everyone!