Green Lantern

Today I took advantage of my family member, who wanted to spend some time with me. Of course, he had different idea of what we would do. However as the weather was favourable today, a walk by seaside was in store. Unfortunately, by the time we were able to get out, the sun hid behind clouds. However I shouldn't complain as in December we have temperature of 10 degrees Celsius and mild cold wind.

Do you see it? Green lighthouse...

Few months ago I heard about breakwater being open to public. Till then this area was restricted to port free zone. Not only the breakwater offers different viewpoint of the bay, there is also a green lighthouse at the end of it.

I see Gdynia ...

Since it was open around six months ago, the path is a little rough, but I read that there are plans of renovating it and also of opening a cafe on breakwater. It certainly is nice place to have coffee :)

But, to be honest, I didn't mind the path. For some, I'm sure, it will be a bit uncomfortable and not too pleasant with high fence on one side. Some also could complaint about "rubbish" at the bottom of the cliff. As I was explained by my companion, the reason for the concrete blocks is to protect the cliff from falling apart, as the waves would wear it down.

I liked little bays made of stone - sort of little viewpoints. I also liked writings on the stones, but not all of them - some were unfortunately profanities :( but some were love confessions, or just memory marks.

When it comes to the history of the breakwater and its green lighthouse I didn't find much information. What I found was one old picture of the lighthouse, which doesn't look like lighthouse at all.

I also read that the green lighthouse and breakwater is part of port entrance. The lighthouse has a twin - red lighthouse, which is located on eastern breakwater. I hope there is access to that lighthouse as I would like to visit it very much.

Can you see the red lighthouse?

Maritime Academy of Gdynia

Routes of two training ships: "Dar Mlodziezy" and "Horyzont II"

Sometimes it seems to me I should just abandon the idea of making any plans at all, as especially recently none of them came to life. Yes, again my planned post needs to be postponed. Instead I'm going to write, to my surprise, about a place I never thought I would.

Bell in the entrance hall to Maritime Academy

As my work took me to Gdynia. I was told I can write about Maritime Academy of Gdynia, so I was like " oh okay". But inside I was thinking "what could be cool about a school". Nevertheless I begun research about the history of the school. As it turns out, the history isn't long, but still quite colorful.

Outside of Maritime Academy building, Gdynia

17 days after first World War finished marshal Pilsudski ordered the formation of Polish Navy. As a result not only the Navy was formed, but also 1,5 years later maritime college was opened. It was first collage of that kind in newly formed Poland. The school was based in Tczew, a town located about hour drive from Gdynia.

Entrance Hall, Maritime Academy of Gdynia

Since this was the first maritime school in Poland there was not terminology developed to describe processes that take place on the ships, or elements of ships. Coming up with all the vocabulary was up to newly recruited academic faculty. Then and there a publishing house was established, and first books in polish of naval themes were published. Fist book was published in June 1927 by the title of "Budowa okretu" ("Ship Construction").

Maritime Academy, 1930, photo: http://www.am.gdynia.pl/

The school was moved to Gdynia in 1930 and by that time it was promoted to a higher education institution. The maritime college was housed in building that was specially made for that purpose. Unfortunately happy days didn't last long, as the II WW began. The school was made into an emergency hospital and most of the faculty and students volunteered to join the army in war.

Souvenirs at Tradition Hall in Maritime Academy.... and me :)

Surprisingly the National maritime college was the only school that operated during the war. Within the time of the war 300 students graduated. Of course it was impossible to conduct lessons in in war-torn Poland, the school's temporary headquarters were in Southampton, England and Buckie, Scotland.

Tradition Hall, Maritime Academy in Gdynia

Since the end of the war the school lived through few name changes and granted permissions. Since opening its doors to first students it became full-blown higher education facility that educates at four faculties. I visited Tradition Hall (open since 1978) located in the main building of Maritime Academy, where I was able to find out about the interesting history of the school and see for myself part of its tradition locked in pictures, flags, first edition books and souvenirs collected on round-the-world journeys.

Maritime Academy of Gdynia

Beach on the Western Hills

Entrance to the Beach

After a long break I decided it is time to get a grip and do something productive. So despite harsh weather I set of the visit another beach. Not only this beach is one of the further once from city centre, it is also one that is very secluded.

Walk to the beach through forest

The beach is located in area that is called Górki Zachodnie, which translated to Western Hills, however I didn't notice any significant hills around. There is only one road that leads to that place. However if you can get there by water tram if you like. I've only been here couple of time, therefore I know only one entrance to the beach, and it is entrance number 21 :) .

Path leading to the beach

  Let me start by saying that Western Hills started as a fishermans village, there was also another settlement at the island called Neufährer Sandkathen. However since 1914 this area was included in city limits. As in many TriCity beaches there is forrest on the edge. But this forrest is much bigger than the other ones. Here it takes around 10 minutes drive from residential area, and by residential area I mean handful of houses, not more, to makeshift parking area. 

Walk to the beach

I guess that is the reason why this beach is one of the cleanest I have ever come across at Gdansk Bay. Small grained sand of beautiful sandie color and not that many people. Although when I visited this beach in the summer I had an impression that everybody knows everybody. But maybe that is just me :)

And finally the beach :)

One of the reasons why I decided to head out to beach today was this strong wind that we have been having for past few days. I was hoping for a proper sea storm. I saw storm once and it was breathtaking so I very much wanted to experience it again. Unfortunately I was very much disappointed, because the wind did close to nothing :(

Waves on Western Hills beach

Only when I arrived I realized that Western Hill beach is sheltered from one side by port...

The Port

... and breakwater from the other side.

The windbreaker

In my opinion this is perfect beach for people who prefer peace, quiet and nature.

Entrance to the Western Hills beach

The waves :)

I hope to return to Western Hills beach when weather improves. This time I was almost running back to car in rain and with numb fingers.