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Baltic Sea One Day Cruise

Now we are ready for the return to Gdansk. On the outbound leg, the Baltic Sea was absolutely calm. The ship road along very smoothly. The skies were very clear, the sun was shining, and the temperatures were shirtsleeve warm. But, wow, what a change in the total weather while we were tied up at the mooring just off the city of Baltijsk, Kaliningrad, Russia. We could feel the coolness come on, enough to require our light jackets. The sun completely disappeared above the ever thickening layer of clouds. There was yet no rain, but the winds were starting to pick up. As we left the protected waters of the port for the open sea, there was quite a bit of rolling as the seas started to roll the catamaran with sharp drops usually to the port (left) side. Guess that is the problem with the two hulled catamaran; it is difficult to have roll stabilizers as you will find on single hulled ships. Once again way out of port the "duty free" shops open, and people are lined up to buy. Each person is entitled to bring back just two liters of any kind of spirits or wine. There was one fellow who bought his limit on the outbound trip and since he drank it all up, he went to purchase the second bottle again on the inbound run. This guy was really snockered, and finally passed out sound asleep just about an hour before arriving back at Gdansk. We had our dinner on the inbound leg, and started to eat just about the time the seas started to get really rough. The cost for quite a good meal with our non alcolholic drinks was just about $4.50 each (paid for, of course in Zlotys) Well here are some of the more exciting photos on the return..
For larger views of each photo, just click on the photo. To return to this page, use your browser's return button. .

Here is a view of the midstream dock where our ship was tied up for Russian Immigration and customs inspection. For a larger view, click on the image. When finished click on your "RETURN" button to come back here.	A view from our ship looking back over the channel that we just used. For a larger view click on the photo.
The tug boat that brought the Russian inspectors. It is named "Bulat." Again, click on this photo to see a larger view.	You can see the manmade barrier used to outline the channel. Again, click on the photo to see a larger view. Must be the harbor master and Naval headquarters for the region. Again, click on the photo to see a larger view.
Not sure what the monument represents. But, it is typical of those we see entering other ports throughout Europe. Again, click on the image for a larger view.	Looks like an old fortification on the other side of the channel. Again, click on the image for a larger view.
A look at the seascape on the Baltic Sea. Coming in it looked smooth as a sheet of glass. Here it is enough to make the catamaran roll quite a bit as it hit the troughs in the swells. Again, for a larger view click on the photo.	The open top deck. Note all the empty seats. It was starting to get cold, so all stayed inside. Again, click on the image for a larger view.
Man oh man, look at that big smile. It gave way a little later when the seas got rougher. Here we are in the main lounge bar area. Again, for a larger view click on the photo.	Another view in the main lounge bar. Note the aft steering rig, a joyful toy for the younger passenger. Again, click on the image for a larger view.
Just me looking so so. The lounge bar is at the aft part of the ship and overlooks the sea as we move along. The wakes are from the twin engines of the catamaran. Again, for a larger view click on the photo.	Either use your back button or click on the arrow to retrurn to the first page. Just click on the arrow Please send your comments to Lester P. GIDEON Updated 1 May 2004