Sunday in Gdansk

Left 3City Hostel after breakfast and rolled Surly in to old town of city Gdansk. My first stop, local confectionery where very friendly Ms Danusia served me tea and cakes. Time to rolled again as the dlicate rain did not stop to pour from dark sky. I pedalled cobbled streets upon and down couple times. Chatted with street merchants at Mariacka street, this way met Agnieszka who was selling scarfes and hats during weekends, then met yet another Agnieszka who was selling amber. As the rain continue to fall I started to look for a place to refuel,

... gimmy shelter otherwise I fade away.....

Then I spotted parked bike on the patio of a local reasturant. Jacobsen. This way I met Kristina who also is a keen cyclist. As a word of mouth, I do recommend this restaurant where you can eat well and service is warm and friendly. 

Left the old town and directed Surly towards docks, namely place called Westerplatte. At the end of October, days were getting shorter and shorter and my time to find a shelter too. This way  I met Basia who had such a soft voice and her friend. Thank you for your advice girls and "paluszki".

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http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g274725-d1988489-Reviews-Bar_Jacobsen-Gdansk_Pomerania_Province_Northern_Poland.html

Photo 1 Me and Ms Kristina at the entrance to Bar Jacobsen.

Photo 2 Me and Agnieszka, Mariacka in Gdańsk where I purchased a scarf.

Photo 3 View from Most Siennicki, Gdansk.

Photo 4 Basia and her friend Agnieszka an her friend.

Photo 5 Me and Agnieszka, Mariacka in Gdansk, amber merchant.

"Jacobsen" S.C.Warzywnicza 10 a
80-838 Gdańsk
Tel. +48600720152

Westerplatte - to wipe out Poland

At this location, Westerplatte, you can learn in essence about Polish struggle to defend its independence. This place is deeply engraved in to my conscience and I wanted to visit this place. I couldn't not choose better location for my camp close to the bunker with the same* view as defenders of September 1939.

Photo 1, 3. Remains of the "new baracks " 

Photo 2. Memory board "To wipe out Poland"

Photo 4. Me having breakfast after rough camping nearby

Right now when googled I have found ....geocache located by the ruins of "new barracks" :O 

http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC47B6R_koszary-na-westerplatte-westerplatte-barracks?guid=2c70a74c-2873-4ec1-95a8-b7c4fc85976a

* this location slightly changed, hence it is only your own imagination which helps to travel in time

3cityHostel

My first afternoon back home, riding streets of Gdansk up and down time to find a shelter for a night. As I liked the idea of spending night in a hostel regards to hostel in Honningsvag, I rolled my biked in to the lounge of the first hostel found on my way.  I spent a night in 3city-hostel, where my Surly found safe and sound location. Whereas me, l lodged my body in to a JAPANESE CAPSULES which was a new  experience.  I met Ali, an Iraqi traveller who shared with me his interesting point of view. All the best Ali.

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3city hostel is located in the city centre, very close to the train station.

Targ Drzewny 12/14,
80-886 Gdańsk, Poland
e-mail: info@3city-hostel.pl
mobile: +48 601 674 675
tel. +48 58 354 54 54

Home land

With ease I managed to board a ferry, though my Surly needed extra ticket as I purchased my ticket with 24hours advance. Then wham!!! At the ferry terminal first printed sign: " watch out for pick pocketers" no more comments as I felt homely. Mind you I left my bike lock attached to someone's bike with explanation note at the beginning of my trip.
The ferry crossing was alright. I opted for a budget option and spent a night on the deck mingled with Russian speaking lorry drivers. As my neighbours I stretched my bones between seats on the floor and slept like a log. Even without shower facilities on the deck I managed to take care of myself, simply a wash basin become my dear friend.
Saturday 1pm the ferry reached Gdansk. Welcome home! What a strange feeling when  you are able to hear a mother language.

Left ferry terminal and pedaled south towards city centre. Soon afterwards I found a tranquil cycling lane running through city park. Then to my surprise I had a glimpse of the beach and Baltic Sea. The sandy path lead to the beach. Left Surly at the beginning of this path and I went to explore on foot. There was a cyclist getting ready for a swim and two young man next to bike stand. I cycled away only to do U-turn a minute later as I wanted to swim in Baltic as a fellow cyclist.
This way I met Jerzy who enjoys cycling and occasional swim in the sea.
While I went for a swim Jerzy, was looking after my bike. What a swim, water refreshingly cold, the sun came out strong. What a fond memories!

Swedish country side

Wow, it was so long ago when I worked on this project. Sincere apologies for those a few who followed my writing on this blog.

Late October, surprisingly warm as for this time of the year, ca.12+ °C
Left Sodertajle and Scania marvellous canteen into the morning and cycled trough Swedish countryside. Those rolling hills soaked in the autumn sun, simply magnificent view. Mainly I followed the road 257. However when opportunity arrived I opted for a quiet country road. Direction Nynashamn from where apparently ferry service operates between Sweden and Poland, Gdansk ferry terminal.
While heading to board a ferry, I was overtaken by this massive 60 ton Scania road train with magnificent noise of  its V8 engine. What a sound!

Sodertajle and Scania

In the young age I developed a passion for trucks/lorries. I remember that year of 1994 when Scania launched a 4th generation truck with new cabin. I red an article in a magazine about main factory in Sodertajle. Since then I wanted to visit the birth place of Scania*.
Couple days before reaching my destination I met a local friendly truck driver who gave me a lift in his own and first day on the job Scania as a "cassette".
Then I cycled on to Sodertajle which became yet another destination of my trip. The museum of Scania is open all year around, though due to celebration lunch for loyal employees, the main hall was empty. Most of exponats were stored neatly in local garages. I was given an unique chance to see those ones as Nicolas my host for that day guided me around.

* I learnt later on, that Scania originally came from Malmo, whereas Vabis was from Sodertajle.

Special credit to Linda from the reception . Unfortunately, as a camera shy persona no photo taken of Linda

Hallsberg

Well, my journey by a train had finished at Hallsberg train station as SJ a Swedish national train company follows an archaic rule of forbidding bicycles on board. This did not stop me from chatting to two attractive members of SJ crew at the platform, just for fun of it.
The station with free WiFi allowed me to update my fb profile, find myself on the map as I was not aware where Hallsberg was.
Carl Gustav, who worked that evening at the station was very helpful. It was pleasure to met,  as well as young Oscar, who frankly told me about himself.
Then I cycled in to the night. Made my camp after midnight, somewhere by the lake.