Big day today. 129 km riding, around 85 km of that on dirt, gravel and other non sealed surfaces.

We made it to the Russian border.

We completed the entire length of the Polish Baltic border from Germany to Russia with 533 km of riding, the majority off road.

That was satisfying.

But the day started with a huge buffet breakfast in Gydnia, far better than what we would have had in that crappy, desolate campsite.

We needed that fuel for the day ahead.

We had three cities to navigate first off. Gydnia, Sopot and Gdansk pretty well are continuous cities. The population between the three exceeds 700,000.

Lots of stopping, crossing at traffic lights, avoiding aimlessly wandering people who have trouble differentiating walking lanes vs bike lanes, despite the painted symbols and signage. They are impervious to bike bells ringing.

Highlights were the beaches at Sopot. Beautiful beaches, with plenty of cafes and restaurants along the foreshore.

Some very fancy looking hotels. This one was aptly named.

This is perhaps the most magnificent lighthouse I’ve ever seen.

Another section of beach set up for beach volleyball with plenty spectator seats.

In Gdansk it was a busy Friday morning with people everywhere. It took quite some time to navigate.

Once in the old town, plenty of beautiful old buildings to say ‘wow’.

We likely have time tomorrow to look around Gdansk as we need to head back his way to catch our ferry to Sweden.

We rode across the Martwa Wisla (river) to Sobieszewo

At Swibno on the Vistula river we needed to wait for the ferry.

Then when it did arrive we stood on board for nearly 30 minutes.

Finally the ferry got going and lovely looking towards the mouth of the river, that flows into the Baltic Sea.

Lots of cyclists on board too. There were four cars. This ferry cost 10 zloty each ( about AUD $4.10).

Immediately we hit dirt and forests. We are amazed just how much beautiful forest we have ridden through. Poland has done a great job preserving these forests between the coastline and civilisation. What an asset.

The Vistula Spit canal (Nowy Swiat ship canal) is very new. It crosses the Polish section of the Vistula Soit that is jointly shared between Poland and Russia.

It connects the Vistula lagoon with the Bay of Gdansk.

Prior to this new canal, all Polish watercraft that wished to leave the lagoon (including the Polish navy) had to enter Russian waters and leave via their canal.

This raised many security concerns, hence the new canal. Russia were opposed as they ceded control of who entered the bay.

We have noted a strong Polish military presence this trip. We have passed by many active military area, heard live rounds being fired, noted many personnel, vehicles on the roads, low flying aircraft ( presuming surveillance).

Poland has committed to enlarging their defence to be the largest in the Eu, spurred on by their borders with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine and the sad war being waged.

The beaches and forests continued to be lovely as we progressed along the Spit.

Quirky art work in the town of Krynica Morska where there was a short boulevard section.

After 99 km of riding, we made it to the border. The sight we were met with we did not photograph. It is an armed border with obvious security in place with vehicles. There are times to not get the camera out.

We just pretended not to notice, and wandered down to the beach. Well wandered is an exaggeration, look at the sand, we dragged the bikes to a fence.

We wandered down to the beach, Poland to the left, Russia to the right.

The Dear Tourist sign makes it clear that you are at the border of the European Union (EU) and Russia and you cannot cross.

Lots of others things you can’t do here either. Not sure what the bottom right one is.

It was satisfying to make it to the border. We had completed the Polish coastline from Germany to Russia, predominantly on non sealed surfaces which adds extra challenges, particularly for me.

Now it was time to turn back as we were at the end of this road quite literally.

We had another 30 km to ride to get to our lodgings in Katy Rybacky. Feeling weary with 15 km remaining we stopped and grabbed an iced coffee revival.

We came back mainly on undulating sealed road, bar a 5 km section that has been ripped up that was worse than the coastal track.

Our accomodation is a well appointed unit at the home of an older lady who seems to think I understand her Polish. She goes on and on and on. I smile and nod, hopefully in the right places.

However, on paper she wrote she needed 4 zloty. I was aware there was a tourist tax here of 1.70 each but so far have paid using euro I have left over.

Nope, zloty!!

So off we went looking for dinner and four zloty which is about AUD $1.60 .

We found a nice dinner and was able to communicate with a staff member asking if there was an atm anywhere. Yes, in the next town 10 km away!!!!

She understood my issue and I asked if I could pay extra 5 zloty and receive 4 zloty cash. Nope.

What she did was so very nice. She got her purse and gave me 4 zloty and a hug. I was very touched.

So we have 4 zloty sitting here for our Polish lady.

What a day! We can look back with a sense of achievement with Poland as it has been challenging and we met it.

Todays route.