Season 2 - North Cape
Join me on my Journey around the Baltic Sea up until the North Cape
Day 19
Consumed | 1784 kWh |
Time: | 22:14 h (=DC) |
Ø | 15,5 kW/100 km |
Costs | 789,57 € |
Distance: | 11493 km |
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15
Episode 16
Episode 17
Episode 2 - Day 1
Road Trip Chronicles: From Traffic Jams to Rocket Sights
Prepare for an underwhelming exploration of Peenemünde's rocket science heritage and for the first images of this unforgettable journey
I actually wanted to start at 6:00 a.m. But by the time everything was packed and Snowball was ready for takeoff, it was already 6:30 a.m.
I knew beforehand that the day wouldn't be very eventful, but the heavy traffic jams made driving quite exhausting. I miscalculated the charging stops and had to charge for a third time before reaching our destination.
Finally, when we arrived in Peenemünde, I found the first parking spot. However, the area didn't look very inviting, so we tried somewhere else. But the next spot near the Peenemünde Harbor was only open until 4:00 p.m. and was already closed since it was past 5:00 p.m. Everything seemed quite run-down, and the technical museum didn't make the best impression from the outside.
There was an old rocket on the premises that I managed to photograph through a fence. I didn't feel like exploring further and was quite exhausted. However, I also didn't want to spend the night at that place. So, I looked for a restaurant and had dinner in Karlsbad.
A little further away, I found another parking spot not far from the sea and immediately crawled into my sleeping bag after securing the photos.
Episode 2 - Day 2
Kołobrzeg Travel Vlog: Beach, Sunsets, and Electric Adventures!
Join us on an journey through Kołobrzeg's city life and camping escapades with a Tesla. Experience the blend of nature, culture, and electric adventures at the Polish coast!
Around 10:30, we hit the road from the campground, heading to Kołobrzeg's. The drive was smooth, with nature showing off its forests and meadows. Not much to say about the ride itself. No need for a charging stop either since we juiced up to 86% overnight. Three and a half hours later, we finally arrived at our destination. Damn, that campground was massive and jam-packed, but luckily, we found a spot for our little Tesla in no time. Bad thing: they wouldn't let me plug in Snowball for power.
Anyway, I decided to hit the beach. On the way, loads of stalls were selling cool souvenirs, toys, and tasty treats. The beach was crowded, just like the promenade. I visited the cathedral and strolled through the old town before making my way back to the campground. In the evening I grabbed a pizza at a sweet little bistro on-site and spent the rest of the night chilling in Snowball.
Some dude asked if I could move Snowball a bit to make space for his RV, but he didn't show up again till 11 PM, so problem solved! Surprisingly, even though the campground was close to a train track, it was quiet at night. Pretty awesome!
Finally, when we arrived in Peenemünde, I found the first parking spot. However, the area didn't look very inviting, so we tried somewhere else. But the next spot near the Peenemünde Harbor was only open until 4:00 p.m. and was already closed since it was past 5:00 p.m. Everything seemed quite run-down, and the technical museum didn't make the best impression from the outside.
There was an old rocket on the premises that I managed to photograph through a fence. I didn't feel like exploring further and was quite exhausted. However, I also didn't want to spend the night at that place. So, I looked for a restaurant and had dinner in Karlsbad.
A little further away, I found another parking spot not far from the sea and immediately crawled into my sleeping bag after securing the photos.
Episode 2 - Day 3
Adventures in Gdansk: From Streets to Seaside
At 10:30 AM, another exciting day of our journey began. From Kołobrzeg, it was just a short hop to Gdansk. After two quick charging stops at the Greenway stations, we finally arrived in Gdansk around 3:30 PM. As I parked my faithful companion, Snowball, a friendly young couple approached me and patiently explained how to operate the parking meter.
Subsequently, I strolled through the charming streets of Gdansk, a delightful medieval city lovingly reconstructed after World War II. It was a lively sight, as numerous tourists brought the city to life. It only occurred to me later that this was no surprise given that it was the weekend.
After I had explored enough of the sights, I returned to Snowball and drove to our overnight spot, a campground near the beach that also offered complimentary electricity. After settling into a cozy campsite, I headed to the beach. Unfortunately, due to the nearby industrial facilities, it wasn't the most picturesque location, and the stormy weather quickly drove me back to the campground.
In the campground's on-site bar, I enjoyed my dinner while observing the exuberant celebrations and dance parties of the people who were enjoying their weekend to the fullest.
It was only late at night that I finally returned to Snowball and went to bed.
Episode 2 - Day 4
Lithuanian Escapade: Navigating Challenges on the Road
Today, we kicked off our journey at 8:30 AM, and my first destination was the charging station in Suwalki, which was a hefty 400 kilometers away. Fortunately, this posed no issue as Snowball was fully charged to 100%. Initially, we cruised along the highways, as the vicinity around Gdansk wasn't particularly picturesque. After covering about 100 kilometers, we bid adieu to the highways, embarking on a scenic route through enchanting forests, lush meadows, expansive fields, and numerous serene lakes.
Following our charging pitstop, I made an unsettling discovery – my 12V cigarette lighter sockets were no longer operational. This unfortunate mishap occurred during my futile attempt to brew a cup of coffee. It appeared that the electric kettle was drawing an excessive amount of power, resulting in the fuses blowing out. Regrettably, I was in the dark about the fuse's whereabouts and decided to delve into some online research later. If I couldn't rectify this issue, I'd be left without power for my laptop, necessitating a hotel stay every other day to safeguard my data and recharge my laptop. Hence, I promptly booked a hotel room in Riga for the following day.
Our journey continued toward the Lithuanian border. Nevertheless, Google Maps once again steered me onto peculiar detours and gravel roads. Somewhere along this route, we inadvertently crossed the border. It was only upon encountering the multitude of Lithuanian license plates on vehicles that I realized we had ventured into Lithuania.
Our next destination was Kaunas, one of the larger cities in this country. I opted for a charging station listed under Shell Recharge, and the process unfolded without a hitch. After a mere 15 minutes, we ventured toward a nearby parking spot.
However, locating it proved to be a challenging feat. When we reached the marina where it was supposed to be, there was no sign of motorhomes. Instead, the locale was swarming with an army of flies and mosquitoes. Consequently, we made an impromptu decision to continue our quest for a suitable spot to spend the night.
In the interim, I had the opportunity to test out another charging station offered by the local provider, Inbalance, thereby assuring that Snowball wouldn't encounter any charging-related snags in this region.
We pressed on until 10 PM and eventually stumbled upon an exceedingly idyllic campground in Parsvalis. The young hostess proved to be exceptionally kind, allocating a parking spot for a mere 5 euros, even at such a late hour. With electricity included in the price, I promptly commenced charging Snowball.
A heartfelt thank you to the campground's operators.
Episode 2 - Day 5
Riga's Charms: A Stroll Through the Old Town
At 6 o'clock, the night came to an end. A little bird tapped on the window, pecking at the remains of insects on the windshield. Never had a night been as refreshing as this, thanks to the beauty of the campsite. So far, I hadn't stood in such an idyllic landscape before.
After launching my first attempts with my brother's drone, I had breakfast at a nearby cafe. Strengthened and well-rested, we packed up and headed for the next border. After just a few kilometers, we crossed into Latvia. The subsequent drive was very pleasant but uneventful.
Since I hadn't yet resolved the issue with my fuses, I relied on a hotel. Arriving too early and not expecting my room to be ready by 12 o'clock, I used the time to take a 6-kilometer stroll through Riga's Old Town. However, the city has much more to offer than one can explore in 2 hours. I took a break along the way, sipping on an orange juice while observing the people on the streets.
Back at the hotel, I got to work on securing the footage from the past few days. Additionally, I was behind schedule with my YouTube videos. Late in the evening, I paused my work for a delicious dinner and went to bed at 11 PM. After all, the day had been long enough.
Episode 2 - Day 6
Tallinn Exploration: A Delightful Baltic Surprise
After a hearty breakfast, we set off towards Tallinn at 9 AM. A Supercharger in Riga and another station from the Circle K company ensured we had enough energy for the journey.
The drive was once again breathtakingly beautiful, and my initial destination was Lahemaa National Park in the northern part of the country. However, we didn't arrive there until 5 PM. Even though the landscape was a dream, we didn't have much time. The ferry to Helsinki was scheduled to depart at 6 AM the next morning, and I wanted to explore the Old Town of Tallinn beforehand.
Compared to Riga, this city impressed me even more. It featured numerous ancient alleys, cobblestone streets, churches, and castle walls. At the Town Hall Square, I treated myself to a delightful dinner before departing the Old Town.
Right at the harbor, I found a rather rundown parking spot for campers and trucks. But, well, the end justifies the means.
Episode 2 - Day 7
Changing Course: Rerouting from Russia
The alarm clock rang at 5:15 AM. I had intended to be at the ferry in good time, but somehow, I ended up missing it. It was just before 6 AM when I was told it had already departed. Reluctantly, I took the next one and paid double for the passage. During the ferry ride, I took the opportunity to back up the footage from the previous day, as I had been plagued by severe headaches the night before and had gone straight to bed.
While on the ship, I also treated myself to breakfast. We arrived in Helsinki shortly after 9 AM. After exiting the city via the highway, Finland welcomed us with its magnificent scenery. We navigated through dense forests, along side roads and gravel paths, passing countless lakes. The only thing missing was a sighting of an elk.
My destination for the day was Kuopio, where we found a vast campground for the night. While I indulged in a dinner consisting of an oversized pizza, Snowball managed to install the latest update. The place was exceptionally clean and offered various opportunities for outdoor activities, although it was relatively pricey, even with electricity included.
PS: Russia Originally, I had planned to drive from Tallinn to Russia, specifically St. Petersburg. I had allocated two days for this journey. However, due to advice from all sides cautioning against it, I ultimately relented and changed my plans. My family was relieved.