HEL

This map of Poland shows the peninsula of Hel.

It is the little blue line going East north of

Gdansk and Gdynia.
As early as 1198 this area was used in Herring trade
and during the 1200's became an important
trade center.

The sign announcing Hel in Northern Poland.
This peninsula is about 34 km long and in some
areas as narrow as 200 m.

By the Lighthouse on the tip of Hel.
During the invasion of Poland the Hel Peninsula
was one of the longest defended pockets of the
Polish Army.
There were two main naval bases for Poland here.

Welcome in Hel.

They even welcome missionaries.

Two great missionaries trying to leave Hel.

The sign says, "You are invited to return to Hel."

Some windmills just before we entered

the peninsula of land to Hel.

On the horizon is the peninsula of land leading to

Hel on the far side of the Gulf of Gdansk.

I walked in the water here. This is on the north side

of the peninsula to Hel.

This is the Baltic Sea.

The beach of the Baltic Sea.

It was a very fine sand and looks so white.

A beautiful area!!

Looking west across the Gulf of Gdansk from Hel.

A totally disillusioned missionary in Hel.

Elder Zatylny looks very sad to be here.

Next time I would choose another background!

The beach on the south of the peninsula

on the side of the Gulf of Gdansk.

This is the very end point of the peninsula of land of Hel.

Beyond there the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Gdansk meet.

Along the walk to the tip of land we passed several

bunkers or batteries similar to this. These were built
to provide cover for military facilities

and were quite interesting.

Some were built as early as 1935 and

others were built as late as 1956!

They were built so a huge gun could sit on top of them

and the tunnels underneath also were for weapons, etc.

We had lunch with Elder and Sister Zatylny.

However we did not have halibut but we wanted to.

They are a great couple who spent the time

with us showing us around the area.

They are serving in the branch in Gdansk.

In the restaurant the beer garden was connected to.

Who said there are no marriages in Hel?

All along ther road there were beautiful rose bushes.

They are a wild rose and the blossoms were huge.

Looking back at the peninsula over the Gulf of Gdansk.

It was a wonderful day and I hope we are never

again so close to

"that" place.