It's obvious that tourist traffic is in full swing. By chance, I park in Mora next to a number of German-registered cars that are equipped with numbers and stickers. I can't satisfy my curiosity and of course have to ask what it's all about.
Kim and Eberhard König, from Lauterstein-Weissenstein – a small town in Swabia south of Stuttgart – are happy to explain.
“This is an adventure for us in our Mercedes-Benz. No GPS is allowed and it is forbidden to drive on highways. The cars must also be 20 years old or older,” they say. “In addition, all participants must live in tents! During the journey, there are also various tasks that give points.”
When I tell them that I can write an article about your adventure for a local website, they cheer because it apparently gives them a lot of extra points.
(That's why I'm writing this article, which will be translated and emailed to the crew).
Father and son are very positive and exclaim that “Sweden is fantastic, we take photos all the time.”
“Baltic Sea Circle” is the name of the German rally that is being run for the 10th time this year. The aim of the rally is to raise money for charity. The start and finish are in Hamburg and the rally lasts for 16 days. This year the start was on June 18 and the participants are expected to finish on July 3. A total of 400 teams started – half on Saturday, June 18 and half the following day.
The journey first went north via Denmark to Sweden and Stockholm. The next stop will be Strömsund in Jämtland and then there will be a mandatory stop at Lofoten before the team eventually arrives at the “Top of Europe” – North Cape after many miles. Then south through Finland. The idea was to pass through St. Petersburg but now there will be a ferry to Tallinn from Helsinki instead.”
Then the roads in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland await the teams before they return to Hamburg on July 3. The total distance will be 7,500 km. A little longer than the Siljan Runt.
Lasse in Vibergsgården
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