Finland, Baltic States, and now in Poland

We took the ferry to Helsinki, Finland, at 7:30 a.m.  The architecture is Art Nouveau and Jurgen style in the neighborhoods.  We went to the seaport fortress and enjoyed the vibrant city. 

We landed back into Estonia at 11:30 p.m. (still light out) expecting to sleep. 

We arrived to a van which looked as we left it until we unlocked and opened the door.  Then we noticed some changes in the van and immediately recognized that we had been vandalized.  The night was long in meeting the police, making phone calls (a hotel let us use their computer and phone).  We were informed by the police that this happens "all the time" near the ferry terminal.  When you park and buy a ticket, you leave it on the dash to it states when you will return.  Electronics, clothing, cosmetics, cell, computer, sunglasses, were gone.  Jim was upset that his Mickey Mouse hat was stolen!  We left the city at 4:30 a.m. and drove until 6:30 a.m. to sleep for a couple hours.

July 6 we were in OTEPAA, ESTONIA.  After our night last night, we decided to move to a small village which was near the largest lake in this area.  July 7&8.  CESIS, LATVIA.  Stayed at a campground next to a river in the forest.  July 9 in PALANGA, LITHUANIA.  We stayed on the west coast of Lituania.  With summers so short it seems as though the population of Lithuania heads to the small shoreline that exists along the Baltic Sea.  We saw two cities where we saw a massive influx of people who were strolling the streets, the beaches, and the bars!

Our impression as we left the Baltic States is that it was interesting but probably will not return.  The origin of the Baltic States are of Russian origin, meaning concrete blocks.

There are storks in this area during the summer and move to Africa during the winter.  We also saw bridge and grooms walking over bridges.  We asked someone about this and they said after you get married you are to go over 7 bridges for good luck.

July 10&11, GOLDAP, POLAND.  We stopped at the Russian border again just to say hi!  We drove around the piece of Russia that borders the Baltic (Kaliningrad) and drove into northern Poland.  There are beautiful lakes, hills and fields in this area.

July 12 GIZYCKO, POLAND.  We drove into the Great Masurian Lakes area which has over 2000 lakes surrounded by hilly landscape. 

We went to Wolfs Lair (Wilczy Szaniec) where Hitler headquartered from 1941 to 1944.  There were multiple bunkers made up of concrete up to 8 meters thick. 

Stayed in the city of Gizycko, the larges lakeside center in the region.  This area is known for its chain of lakes.  The weather was perfect with people sun bathing along the shore of the lake and a multitude of sailboats on the lake.