Home & dry

After hearing the weather report this morning, we decided to take the last 600 km home. 200 of them were the tree lined side roads in eastern Germany. Arrived home this evening in one piece. It was a great trip and we can use the remaing few days of the holiday to tend kids, house and garden. Bye!

In Waren

Originally we wanted to spend the night in a fancy castle. After driving along many deserted roads, we found the castle in the middle of nowhere. With images from the Shining and Mrs. Havisham (Great Expectations), we decided to go somewhere, where Mc Donalds would invest and found Waren on a lovely Lake. Staying in a tiddly wee Hotel for the price of our luxury hotels in Poland. No free slippers or spa. Not the standard to which we have become accustomed.

The last ferry...

... on this journey took us to the Island Usedom through which the Polish-German border runs. Poland was great and we will return. Dziekuje and Do widzenia Polska.

Seaside at last

Today we are staying in Klobrzeg, which is said to be the biggest seaside resort on the Baltic. The hotel is great and we are having fried fish for lunch.
Also.... no jackets needed!!!!

Gdansk

What a beautiful city! like a toy town. old buildings with decorative facades.
Cafes on the riverside and best of all.... the sun is shining!
In Poland you can stay in luxury hotels for the price of a budget hotel elsewhere in Europe.
Tonight we're staying at the Podewin, a 5 star hotel with ambience. oh and free slippers. Unfortunately there are also weighing scales as well so now we have accurate information on how well we've been savouring the local cuisine.

Ship lifting 1860

On the way to Gdansk. Cant pronounce the name of the town and TomTom sent us again to a dirt track in the middle of nowhere.

Olsztyn...

..is our station today. Very nice old town and a fancy hotel. Watched a demo and walked through the mall in the evening to get warm.

At "He who must not be named's" HQ

After an initial disappointment, Masuria turned out to be a paradise with forests, lakes and countless tree lined roads only for us. As it was on our way, we decided to give H's HQ a visit. The original road to there was creepy. We were alone!

Suwalki, Poland

Enjoying a cup of coffee at Tesco. Approaching EU mainland: Petrol 1.38€. Umbrella 10€!! Rain!

Crossed the "Memel"...

...and will have an afternoon nap in our hotel in Kaunas, Lithuania. Rain!!

ignore Tom Tom

Ignoring the instructions of Tom Tom led us to a nice dirt track, 30 minutes of lost time and wounded pride.
Shawiruhinna wa khalifuhinna is not always the best policy.

Riga

Arrived on a sunny afternoon. After skipping lunch, now very hungry and sitting in a restaurant for early supper.

On the way to Riga

Having a cup of coffee on Pernu beach. First 100 km on the long way back.

Panic in the morning

Woke up to the shock of a big splotch of blood in my eye and after the initial panic, visions of a day spent at an eye specialist in a foreign country, was able to self diagnose via internet. Seems my gut wrenching sneezing in Helsinki caused subconjunctival-hemorrhage

Tallinn old town

Rain, wind, 9C. Hotel staff say it's not their fault but they are lying.

Almost in Estonia

Drove Qasem and Mona to Helsinki airport in the afternoon then boarded the Baltic Princess to Tallinn. Qasem and Mona just SMSed their arrival in Duesseldorf and we are also entering the harbour. We will sleep on the ship and drive into town tomorrow morning.

Finnish countryside

Parenvaa on lake Tuusula. You dont know this famous place!?

No comment ...

...about todays activities

Ticket to Tallin

bought the ticket on the overnight ferry leaving tomorrow evening

Fortress Island, Helsinki

Found Hotel. Had lunch. Now discovering Fortress Island.

Arrival in Finnland

In Travemuende

After a 7 hr drive on the baltic sea coast. Now it is cold and some forgot their jackets. luckily others had spares. Now on the ferry for a strawl before going to bed.

Engine check

Seems to be OK. No unusual noises, Near Hannover after a wild detour around the jams on the busiest day of the year. Fabulous weather!

Pre vacation stress

The Plan

The kids will return by plane from Helsinki. We will take the ferry to Tallin and start a long return journey.

Preparations

- No Visas required since we are not entering Kaliningrad
- Booked the ferry from Travemünde to Helsinki
- Booked 3 nights in Helsinki. No, not for 11,11 € !

- Took the car to inspection, installed a new exhaust, bought a reserve drive belt. Yes, the journey takes place in a 20 year old car with 280.000 km.