The morning cycle ride was replaced by a slow car drive through the wide fire break lanes in the forest. First stop was at the Biatowieza train station. The line was specially laid for the Tsar to get to his hunting lodge. Some old steam trains and other vehicles were on the tracks next to the station.

Through the forest we drove to an area where there were some 20 old oak trees ranging from 350 to 450 years old and with a circumference of 410 to 520 cm. Impressive to see how all the old lower branches of these trees slowly fall off and the higher, younger ones, continue to grow. Although it looks like they are more or less in the twilight of their life.

Though small roads we made it to the boarder. Fortunately we could drive past the 15 km long line-up of trucks. At the Polish boarder we could go through the VIP lane and quickly move to the queue for the 2 lane border bridge. That was however blocked by a truck. After a while (about 1 hour+) the bridge was clear and we came to our first serious border crossing. All seemed to go well. Even the local medical insurance was obtained but then it was discovered that we were 1 day too early at the border. The informed senior officer with 2 translators was not able to allow us through and sent us back into Poland. After some more road blockages we got back across the border and took the first turnoff to find a camping spot on the edge of the forest overlooking the fields. No deer or Bison’s seen yet…