Day One Hundred Thirty-Eight - May 23

During yesterday's sea day, I noticed a naval war ship sailing behind us and then passing on the port side. I had heard that NATO is planning exercises in the Baltic Sea but that does not happen until early June.

Today we are in Gdansk a city of over 470,000 people and is capital of the geographical region of Pomerania.

It is considered the main seaport for Poland with the largest container terminal in the Baltic. Many container ships are seen waiting offshore.

There are plans to make the city a European logistics hub. Tourism is also big as well.

The arrival time of 07:00 allows a full day to spend in Gdansk. Being on my own I search the web to see what the top places to see while I'm here. A shuttle bus operates from the port every thirty minutes to take us into the city. We are situated 12 kilometers from the city.

Once off the ship a tour specialist was there to provide a map with highlights.

Crossing the Stara Motlawa River at the Zielony Moist bridge you notice the huge Gdansk Crane . The crane's original structure was built in 1442 but was destroyed by fire . The new crane and building were rebuilt between 1442-1442. This crane was used during its time to add or remove goods from the ships of the day.

The Crane is located on Dlugie Pobrzeze street (Long Embankment) where shops and restaurants can be seen. Later that day I stopped for lunch here.

As you walk back from the crane and through the Green Gate you come into the Main Town Hall. Intricate designs and colourful buildings grace both sides of the square.

Neptune's Fountain and the Golden House can be found in front of Artus Court. Continuing along the Dluga, I pass through the Prison Tower and Torture Chamber where metal handcuffs still hang from the pillars but now a jewelry store is in the tower.

Many places were crowded with tourists as well as students as I assume their teachers brought them here for the city's historical past.

Across from the tourist information centre, I noticed the intricate moldings surrounding the front door of the Norodowy Polish Bank.

It is now off to visit St. Mary's Basilica but I come across the Golden Gate on my way (another check for places to see). Another impressive Basilica in a European city with the altar, pulpit and organ.

On my way back to the shuttle bus, by accident I came across the Fahrenheit Thermometer. Gabriel Fahrenheit was born in Gdansk is 1686 was considered the first person to use mercury in a device to measure temperature. Today most of the world use Celsius to measure temperature.

Our ship left port at 19:00 to make its way to Klaipeda, Lithuania, 112 nautical miles away.