The Curonian Spit - Curonian Lagoon

Wednesday, June 26:

We're not completely finished yet. Right in front of Klaipeda are the Curonian Lagoon and the Curonian Spit. This extends all the way to Kaliningrad and the bicycle path is part of the Iron Curtain Trail. South of Nida, the 46 km long section through the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad begins. We didn't plan for this due to time constraints and we didn't apply for a visa for Russia either.

But the 52 km to Nida are manageable. Since the boat doesn't run back and it's uncertain whether bicycles can be taken on the bus, we're going there and back. In Nida, we visit the beautifully located Thomas Mann Museum, which was used as a summer house for three years by the Mann family. On the way back, we pass through the small villages of Pervalka and Preila, which were established here in the 19th century after being buried twice by the sand of the great Neringa dune. Shortly after, we stand on the large sand dune, which has been prevented from wandering through afforestation and is now largely a grey dune with vegetation. From the top, you have a beautiful view of the lagoon and the Baltic Sea. The weather invites us to take a swim in the Baltic Sea. We end the day with a good fish.

Thursday, June 27:

We spend the day relaxed in Klaipeda. We explore the old town on foot, with its theater square and the monument to Simon Dach and his Ännchen von Tharau. Right next door are the little streets with the half-timbered storehouses. We pass the waiting time until the evening ferry departure with coffee and reading. Now we are looking forward to visiting Simone and Günter in Hamburg and returning home.