Wk 10: Police stops, Poland, Turning left instead of right - what happened?

The Netherlands was expensive for petrol at over €2.20 a litre for petrol.? Considering we had budgeted at €1.60, this definitely ate into our budget - so a straight shot into Poland and up to Gdansk.

2 things happened here:

1. We bought some Baltic Amber.? Jeepers, is it expensive.? I saw a small boat that I liked and wanted to buy, until they told me the price - €1000 euros!
2. We were stopped by the Police! ? Yes, we had parked in the Old City and you need a special permit for that.? Being tourists we didn’t know, so that is easy pickings for the Police.? ? Hmmm, time to play the ‘Police card” again. ? He looked at it, smiled and said, “You enjoy your stay in Gdansk,” and left.

The architecture in Poland is just lovely, both in Gdansk and Elblag, where we also stayed. ? Near here was Malbouk Castle, the largest castle in Europe, and it was architecturally stunning as well as great to visit.

Electrical storms seem to be following us as we travel, as we encountered another huge one in Elblag.? We’ve learnt our lesson and how to button everything up tight so we stay dry.

We met a lovely Polish farmer when we camped in his field.? I couldn’t speak Polish and he couldn’t speak English, but we communicated effectively with hand gestures and smiles.? We showed him our map of travelling home to NZ overland - and he became so animated.? I’ve no idea what he said, but his voice went up 17 octaves!

Then into Lithuania. ? We visited the old KGB museum in Vilnius.? That is incredibly sobering.? Wow, how the KGB operate - and probably still operate in this fashion.? The resistance the Lithuanians put up against a mightier force, shows that over time resistance and passion can overcome tranny.

Then a more fun place - Museum of Illusions.? Check out the video of us ‘playing’ here.

Our souvenir from Lithuania are some love woven table clothes and mats for our 2 tables. ? We obtained a 50% discount through Janelle’s ’sweat-talking’ the lovely shop owner.? Great bargain.? And we bought a lovely Baltic Amber tree - at a great reduced price compared to Gdansk.? (Wonder if they saw us coming in Gdansk.)

We’re now 70km north of Vilnius, camped by this beautiful river with plenty of firewood.