GAZETA WYBORCZA TOURISM

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 28-29, 2008

KATARZYNA SIKORA

advertising and political marketing specialist, traveller and photographer

YOUR HEART WAS LEFT...

... on safari in Africa. Life has a completely different rhytm there, ground smells in a more intense way, animal sounds create a unique music of the nature. Only in Africa I get up everyday at 5,6 o'clock in the morning in order to follow wild animals and watch their fascinating life. The time that is spent there makes me really happy, I keep my distance from life.

Unforgettable day... There are three such days concerning journeys. The first one took place in Alaska when a female bear together with her baby bear chased down our whole group. The situation really amused me - lovely teddies running after clumsy two-legged creatures.

In Botswana a hippopotamus was charging straight at me. I was running away along the sheer escarpment clinging to the roots of trees with an 11-kilogramme rucksack and a camera with a telephoto lens around my neck. Me, a big woman, demonstrated nimbleness of a monkey. Today I recollect that day with a smile on my face but at that time it wasn't so funny for me.

On the Galápagos Islands my yacht cruise companions convinced me to enter ice-cold water and dive. It turned out to be an incredible experience. I was lifted and swung by gentle waves, I felt that I am a part of the surrounding world. There were fishes swimming around me, a penguin flited somewhere near, deeper a giant turtle was moving gently...

The best holidays... which I have fond memories of are those with a trip to Kenya. Together with my partner we discovered a lot of new things which makes us closer. Passion for nature and wild animals are at the beginning of the long list. The stay in Masai Mara exerted an enormous influence on my future. A casual interest in photography became a passion which initiated a new chapter in my life.

In Poland I like... Since childhood I've been visiting different regions in Poland. I became convinced that our country is beautiful and diverse, with colourful history and wonderful culture. In winter I like the sea with lonely and sleepy beaches the most, mountains in summer and autumn and Masuria region with its unique atmosphere throughout the whole year.

My favourite hotel... I am an aesthete, I like beautiful things and places. Life is very kind to me because I am lucky to live in wonderful hotels. My favourite are those with breathtaking views, created by visionaries. Among them is Udaivilas Hotel in Udaipur, India set on the banks of Lake Pichola. From our terrace we saw a palace on the other side of the lake and the other one in its middle. In the evenings sounds of music reached our ears and sky was lightened with fireworks - it was the time of weddings in India.

I enjoyed heavenly scrumptious food in... Israel where I spent most of my time during last years. The country which is inhabited by emigrants from 90 countries has a lot to offer. Tel Aviv is a culinar capital of Israel. One can eat there delicate and juicy steaks, fresh seafood and tasty fishes thanks to which sushi restaurants are as splendid as those in New York. One has to try Chinese food in London, crabs in Alaska, oysters in Namibia, cheese and wine in South Africa. Best stuffed cabbage, pierogi and tomato soup can be found only in Poland.

On expedition I always take with myself... two cameras, three lenses, a lot of memory cards, laptop and comfortable shoes. As far as Asia is concerned I also take a small bottle of medicinal alcohol which got me out of stomach troubles many times.

I will never come back to... Zimbabwe because this is where I felt what does the word ‘racism' mean. The abstact notion became a reality for me - it is a hatred for another person which is dictated by different skin colour. I don't like recalling those days. Even elephants were sad there.

Soon I will be on my way to... Israel, London, the United Arab Emirates. And then I will be travelling around Poland with Lorica group which took me in last year so that I would take photographs of knight's tournament from their point of view. This is my biggest project for the next several years. At the beginning of October I am going back to Namibia.

Dream destination... to sail around the world, calling at every port, exploring closer and farer regions.

AGNIESZKA HOPPE