The ship docked in Gdyania, the newer port city in Poland and we then traveled 60 minutes by bus to Gdansk known as the city of glowing amber and gothic catherdrals. Gdansk was almost entirely destroyed during WW II and has been restored back to it's 16th century beauty. More recently, the Gdansk shipyards were the location for Poland's revolt against the Soviet regime and the efforts of Lech Walesa and his supporters are commemorated in Solidarity Square, Gate No. 2 at Gdansk, Lenin Shipyard. In 1970 these same shipyards had been the site where protesting workers were fired upon by the Communist regime killing 42 workers. Reaction to this event eventually lead to massive strikes and Polish independence. Needless to say the Polish people have been beaten down many times and have managed to rebuild. They are very proud of their country and determined to keep their independence and not allow Russia to enter Poland as they did in the Ukraine.
Photos of Gdansk after the WW II bombing
The Old Town restoration of the 16 century. Amazing site, you could spend days wandering.
Lech Walesa Solidarity Square, Lenin Shipyard
Today's Gdansk - the mile long apartment building where 5,500 people live. It's the longest in the world.
Today's Gdynia - industrial shipyard city where our ship was docked.
Today's Gdansk - the stadium was built for the World Cup Euro soccer 2012. The outside of the stadium represents 8 different shades of Amber
Amber is found in the Baltic region, from the resin of the pine tree and is 40 million years old. Amber has many different colors the with the most common being honey, red, cream, brown, green. It is impossible to tell real Amber from imitation Amber. Authentic Amber comes with a certificate and a specific certification symbol. Two ways to tell if Amber is real, if it floats and it burns. Not always a practical test!
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