Thursday, May 24, 2018 - Arrive Warsaw and check into hotel

When we arrived at Warsaw, it was a very smooth process in regard to meeting our tour guide Johnny.

After check-in to the hotel and a brief rest, most of us followed Johnny to walk around hotel areas to visit the Palace of Culture and Science.  It is Poland's tallest building, with its 44 floors. It is 237M in hight including the antenna on the top of the spire added in 1994. The construction work of this building started on May 1, 1952 and completed on July 21, 1955. It was a gift of Soviet Nations (by Stalin) to the Polish Nation and it was designed by Lev Rudnev with featuring Polish details.  It was purposed to have 120 meters in height. However, ambitions grew and finally a taller building was erected. Apparently it is loved by many but hated by some because of it's Soviet roots and communist heritage. Nevertheless, it is at the center of Warsaw and can be used as a guide of directions when you wondering around Warsaw downtown.  

Back of the Palace of Culture and Science

Front of the Palace of Culture and Science

Warsaw City Sign next to the Palace of Culture and Science

We stayed at the Westin Warsaw and had dinner in the hotel.  

Westin Warsaw

After dinner, there is still plenty of sunlight for us to wondering around.  Some of us visited the nearby Świętokrzyski City Park, and some of us ventured out further to the Saxon Garden State Park with Piłsudski Square next to it. In the Piłsudski Square, there is a Unknown Soldiers’ Grave for the unknown soldiers killed in World War I.  It is guarded by two uniformed guards. We were lucky to be there to see the change of guards. 

Saxon Garden State Park

Unknown Soldiers’ Grave