11th September 2019
Gdynia is a port city on the Baltic coast of Poland. It’s known for its modernist buildings, including the Museum of the City of Gdynia, which has exhibits about local history. Kościuszki Square, with a distinctive fountain as its centre, leads to the waterfront. The WWII destroyer ORP Błyskawica and 1909 tall ship Dar Pomorza, now museums, are moored on the Southern Pier.
Nearby is Gdansk (Danzig in German). At the centre of its Main Town, reconstructed after WWII, are the colourful facades of Long Market, now home to shops and restaurants. Nearby is Neptune’s Fountain, a 17th-century symbol of the city topped by a bronze statue of the sea god. Gdansk is also a centre for the world’s amber trade; boutiques throughout the city sell the ossified resin.
Todays ship excursion is to the visit the tri-cities of Gdynia, Sopot and Gansk.
Gdynia.
Our ship’s berth here is right by an impressive heap of coal. Our first sensible start time for our coach tour. The town all looks clean and well kept, doesn’t seem to be much else here other than a busy port.
Gdansk.
Drive to Gdansk pleasant enough even if mostly built up areas, all looks fairly prosperous and well kept. Gdansk old town our first stop, a central pedestrianised street very dutch looking, very tall and narrow properties, lots of amber shops.
After a short demonstration of Amber polishing and a lesson in how to tell real Amber form plastic we had time for a nice walk up and down between the green gate and the golden gate, just adjacent is the canal with old looking grain lift, all reconstructed since WWII destruction, boat rides available - very short trips!
Also just round the corner was St Mary’s, the largest brick built church in Europe.
Back on the coach for a short drive to view Shipyard Gate No2, the site of the beginnings of the Solidarity movement and protests. Solidarity thought to be the start of the end of the Soviet Union and eventually the fall of the Berlin Wall. In the square there is a monument to the 3 shipyard workers killed during the revolution. There is also a new building for the Solidarity movement offices, designed to appear like a ship under construction, not very pretty. Time for a short photo stop.
We learnt that before the fall of Communism Russian was the second language taught in Polish schools, after the fall English was the second language with German and Scandinavian languages next.
Along the way views of the “Amber Stadium”, just can’t get away from this amber stuff.
Sopot.
Here at a nice beach front hotel a stop for a slice of Polish Apple Pie and a Coffee, delicious and most welcome, beautiful clean golden sand beach, of course the fine sunny day helped, not so good if it was cold and wet, still nowhere is.
Gdynia.
Back in Gdynia a quick photo stop at Kościuszki Square. On display here are a couple of old ships, a sail training ship and a destroyer. Also a couple of monuments, dedication unknown.
A short drive back to the ship for the afternoon.
Poland seems very nice, surprised tourist board don’t make more of the opportunities for holidays.
Dinner in buffet was a wonderful Mexican selection just what we enjoy.
