Gdansk, Poland
Gdansk is an old city that has a very long history. First settled in the Neolithic Period, it was invaded by the Celts, Balts and Huns, as well as by the Germanic tribes. In the Early Middle Ages, Western Slavs moved into those flat plains between the Vistula and the Oder Rivers, and were called the Polanians. In 966 Christianity was adopted, and a series of kings and overlords changed the configuration of the territory for many years. By 1990, Poland had elected its first president, Lech Wa³esa. In the morning we had the pleasure of hearing this Noble Prize winner on the ship, as well as ask him questions, which he answered through a translator. Then we visited the Old City, a quaint town with marvelous houses and churches, all reconstructed after WWII.
Poland has a population of about 39 million people, and tourism plays an important part in the economy of the country today. Amber is all-important here, and Gdansk is considered by many the capital of amber. Many small stores offer this magnificent fossil sap (30-50 million years old), polished and made into jewelry. We visited a store where this was all explained to us.
Returning by the Motlawa River by Zodiac was another adventure, as we went by the large shipyards where vessels are being built. Some of us returned to the ship by bus, the ride accompanied by a knowledgeable a guide.
Dinner was on the ship as we left this old city, after an active "recap" during our cocktail hour.
Gdansk is an old city that has a very long history. First settled in the Neolithic Period, it was invaded by the Celts, Balts and Huns, as well as by the Germanic tribes. In the Early Middle Ages, Western Slavs moved into those flat plains between the Vistula and the Oder Rivers, and were called the Polanians. In 966 Christianity was adopted, and a series of kings and overlords changed the configuration of the territory for many years. By 1990, Poland had elected its first president, Lech Wa³esa. In the morning we had the pleasure of hearing this Noble Prize winner on the ship, as well as ask him questions, which he answered through a translator. Then we visited the Old City, a quaint town with marvelous houses and churches, all reconstructed after WWII.
Poland has a population of about 39 million people, and tourism plays an important part in the economy of the country today. Amber is all-important here, and Gdansk is considered by many the capital of amber. Many small stores offer this magnificent fossil sap (30-50 million years old), polished and made into jewelry. We visited a store where this was all explained to us.
Returning by the Motlawa River by Zodiac was another adventure, as we went by the large shipyards where vessels are being built. Some of us returned to the ship by bus, the ride accompanied by a knowledgeable a guide.
Dinner was on the ship as we left this old city, after an active "recap" during our cocktail hour.
