Curonian Spit

Day 89

The deserted little nature reserve wild camp didn’t offer much but what it did provide was a portable toilet, which is very handy on a morning.  

Luke took to the throne while I enjoyed the last part of my morning coffee.  An approaching vehicle could be heard on the dirt road and soon enough the vehicle revealed itself as ‘Kenny’s’ truck – the sewage collector.  The man stopped right outside the loo and jumped out of the truck without delay.  

He put a few pipes together and it was pretty obvious what his next move was – to empty to toilet.  It was hard not to laugh knowing poor Luke was in the little cubicle and the truck had just arrived interrupting his morning business. 

Like clockwork, Luke made a quick exit and reappeared a little started from the timing of it all.  

Convient portable toilet in the Nature Reserve.

Kenny's truck arriving to disturbe Luke from his morning business!

We laughed our way to the coastal town of Klaipeda, the third largest city of Lithuania. With not much too see in Klaipeda except for the old town, which we coincidentally drove through on our way to the port we found a park for Maxi and prepared ourselves for an long bike ride and overnight camp.

Bikes packed ready to ride the Spit.

Having securely parked Maxi and packed our bikes with all the necessary touring equipment, we located the ferry that would transport us a mere 500m across the lagoon to the Curonian Spit.  

The Curonian Spit is a 98km thin, curved sand dune that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea.  It is divided between Russia and Lithuania, and it was the Lithuanian section we intended to explore.  The Spit is under constant environmental threat of erosion, due to tourism, oil drilling and environmental factors.  In fact, erosion is so bad in places that one town has had to pick up and move several times so they don’t get washed out to sea! 

The Spit is also known for it’s wild life especially the Wild Boar and bird life. 

Our aim for the day was to ride our bikes 52km down the Spit to the town of Nida, on the border of Russia and where we would camp the night. 

We flew through the first 10km or so easily locating the well-made bike track and making good time.  Unfortunately things soon went pear shaped and for the next 42km we battled a hefty head wind and some very pesky rain.

Just before I almost stacked on the ride along the
Curonian Spit. 

Luke, just before the weather turned on us.

Arriving into dreary Nida.

Powering on despite the unfavorable conditions we made our way along the Spit to the town of Nida, where we located the campground.  The weather had somewhat improved and we were able to set up camp and get showered without the downpour.

All camped up at number 85 and ready for drinks and dinner.

Conveniently the campsite was home to a casual Chinese restaurant so we made ourselves comfortable for the night and enjoyed a few drinks and asian cuisine.