Leaving Szczecin behind, we cruised toward the Polish coast in search of that perfect beachside campsite. As seasoned campers, we thought we knew the drill, but Poland had its own, rather chaotic, twist. There was no system to speak of. Campers were scattered like puzzle pieces that didn’t fit: awnings pointing in every direction, vehicles squeezed in at odd angles. We even spotted someone completely boxed in, no way out, just laughs all around.

Still, we found our spot, leveled Casa Mariposa and headed for the water. There it was: our very first glimpse of the Baltic Sea. A cool breeze greeted us as we walked barefoot on the sand, toes sinking in. Later, with a cold beer in hand and the sounds of the beach fading into evening, we truly felt arrived.

Camping chaos and Baltic bliss

Wild camping at its finest

After a beachy breakfast the next morning and our first ever swim in the Baltic (cold, but worth it!), we waved goodbye to the quirky campsite. Destination: nowhere in particular, just wherever Anne’s camper-spot radar would take us. And she delivered.

Bumping along a pothole-filled road into the middle of nowhere, we landed at a remote lakeside haven. Just us, water, trees, and the golden hue of the setting sun. The silence was nearly perfect — if not for the swarm of mosquitos that decided Anne was their all-you-can-eat buffet. 🦟 Sorry Anne…

Still, this was our favourite overnight spot so far. Lennard worked in the mornings while we floated through the afternoons in our kayak, music playing, Coronas in hand. Evenings brought a crackling fire, the smell of woodsmoke curling into the air, and marshmallows roasted under the stars. It was peaceful, simple, and everything we needed.

Eventually, we swapped solitude for comfort at another camping spot, this time with full facilities and a stretch of beach just steps away. The temperature climbed above 30°C, leaving us with no real option but to surrender to slow days by the sea. We swam, lounged, and soaked in the sun with cold drinks on the terrace. It was blissfully uneventful in the best way.

In the evening, Anne treated us to a delicious home cooked meal. There’s something about eating outdoors, with the heat of the day still lingering, that makes every bite taste better.

A heatwave and beachside living

Destination: Hel (and windsurf heaven)

Our final stop this week was Hel, not the hellish kind, but the narrow strip of land in Poland that’s a hotspot for wind and kite surfers. For Lennard, it was a long-awaited return to his favourite hobby, though it had been a while since his last time on the board.

When we arrived, the beach was buzzing with colorful sails and surfers dancing with the wind. We kicked things off with burgers and a beach stroll, watching the action and soaking up the excitement. Anne had never surfed before, and the gusts that day were a bit much, so we explored Hel instead. We wandered past bunkers, remnants of WWII history, and charming alleys full of holiday vibes. Over 20,000 steps later (yes, we counted), we’d seen it all, including the Russian coastline on the horizon.

The next day, it was time. Lennard hit the water first: slow progress thanks to a windless window, but pure joy to be out there again. Then it was Anne’s turn. With Lennard’s coaching and some initial wobbling, she surprised us both and within no time, she was up and sailing like a natural. Just as she found her rhythm, the wind kicked up like crazy, but even that couldn’t dampen the thrill. Her first time on the board, and it was already a highlight.

Casa Mariposa Meter – Week 06

🌟 Highlight
Finally being on the water together for Anne’s first windsurf session

😬 Low point
All the mosquito bites — Anne especially got eaten alive at the lakeside

🏕 Best overnight spot
Our remote, peaceful lakeside wild camping spot — completely alone in nature

🔥 Chaosmeter
3/10 – Hardly any chaos this week; just pure enjoyment on land and water

📊 Total score
8/10 – A feel-good week full of beach days, campfires, and shared adventures

See you on the road!
– Anne & Lennard 🦋