Gdansk Trip Summary.

I really really didn't want to leave the beach yesterday. The fresh air and sound of the waves crashing are so peaceful. The weather was perfect and beautiful for an early fall weekend. The kids loved running up and down the promenade and playing in the sand. Now remember, this is the Baltic Sea, so it's cold water and not clean and pretty. Some people were out there swimming but no way would I go out there, brrrrr. I did take a long walk down the beach with pant legs rolled up, flops in hand and my feet in the water when the kids napped but that's about as far as I would go in.

Gdansk is one of three cities that border one another (Tri-Cities). We stayed at the Novotel Marina which was right at the border of Gdansk and Sopot. Sopot is more for relaxing and nightlife. Gdansk, where the fall of communism started not that long ago, is more historical and city like. We took a city tour of Gdansk by golf cart which covered a lot of territory we wouldn't have been able to see on our own. We didn't backpack the kids on this trip. We wanted them to run free more and I personally wanted to relax more as well. Although I ended up carrying Deegan more than I thought I would, but he's so cute I couldn't grumble too much. Their little legs just run run run and then they face plant. The tears come for a few minutes then want to be held then it's put me down and off running again. Quite the cycle they put themselves through.

The kids slept really well in the hotel with their tents. We'd get up at about 0700 and slowly get ourselves put together. We would then head downstairs for breakfast brunch. Kenna sure loved her watermelon and pickles, odd combo. Unfortunately European breakfast buffets are NOT anywhere near what we like as Americans. Those of you who have been here certainly know what I'm talking about. Herring for breakfast anyone? NO THANKS. Anyhow, then off for a few hours before coming back for their afternoon nap. Then off again for a dinner at about 6pm-ish. I came across one beach establishment while on my walk and we walked backed there for dinner that last night we were there. It was the only restaurant actually on the sandy beach in the area. So it was nice to watch the kids bury one another in sand while we watched from our outdoor table.

The drive home went rather smooth. We drove about an hour from Gdansk to Malbork. Malbork Castle is supposed to be the largest one in Europe and wow they weren't kidding. We weren't able to go in because it's strictly monitored with tours only and that was a 3hr tour. So we walked the grounds, watched kids wipe out because they try to run faster than their legs move, and checked out the souvenir stands. All of the dining establishments were packed full of people and there was no way we had time to wait for service and food. Both Erik and I were disappointed because we wanted to eat on the boat with the perfect Castle view. Sooo, we hit McDonald's, parked in the shade and laughed at ourselves. After the kids ate their nuggets and hamburger they were asleep within two minutes, seriously. They napped in the car for about 2+ hours for our 4hr journey home. It's shame the Toll Road isn't complete through the country yet because those two lane roads are awful and bumper to bumper through little tiny farm towns, it's awful. We only got an hour of Toll Road then kicked off to the farm lands, bummer. If we had better highway access (many years from now it will be complete) we would visit the coast more often for sure. I was driving home so Erik could do work on his laptop...yep, got pulled over for speeding, argh. I got so tired of driving at snail speed behind cars that I couldn't pass. Once I could get past the last slowpoke I got pulled over for doing 88km in a 50km zone. So basically I was going 54mph in a 31mph zone. Anyhow, he walked up to the passenger door explained in Polish and showed me his radar gun and then had me walk to his driver door side of the car. The other cop was writing a ticket for another car :( Erik started rolling out all of our Diplomatic Status paperwork, my Polish Driver's License, my AAA Int'l Drivers License and a letter from the Embassy. He was kind of taken aback and starting writing my info in his little pocket book. He asked me what my Father's first name was. I thought that was odd. Anyhow, he then said, "No ticket, slow please". Then off we went... Funny one huh?

I'll try to get some pictures posted here soon.