#11: [26-Sep-22]

#9: [12-Aug-17]

#10: [07-Jul-17]

#8: [21-Feb-15]

#6: [13-Jul-09]

#5: [26-Aug-06]

#4: [29-Apr-06]

#3: [21-Jul-05]

#2: [07-May-01]

#1: [25-Nov-00]

27-Sep-2013 -- 6^th and last point of our whirlwind Eastern Europe tour - Poland

After an above average strenuous hunt for 48N 19E in Hungary, we crossed Slovakia and Czech Republic and reached Poland after dark. We stayed overnight at Zory, the first town after we crossed border which put us about 25 km west from the infamous Auschwitz death camp which we intended to visit.

As luck has it, this confluence point is located on our way to Auschwitz, about 15 km from the hotel. We headed toward this point as the first thing in the morning following the instructions of the GPS, and ended up in a mixed farming and residential area. At 80 meters from our objective, we were surprised to discover that this confluence point is located inside a large farm house or yard. Because Ray has a habit of not reading previous hunter’s reports, so this indeed was a pleasant surprise after the previous 5 points were all in the farmland or woods.

We walked around the yellow farm house to find the nearest distance to the all-zeros spot. At the gate to the yard, a little dog was barking at us fiercely which turned out to be a good thing – it attached the attention of someone in the house. A young lady came out to the gate to refrain the dog. Ray showed her the GPS, she smiled and indicated that she knew exactly what we were up to. After she whisked the dog into the house and invited us into the yard. We learned later from previous hunting reports that this is the home of the Kowalik family, and Ms. Kowalik was our gracious host.

Ms. Kowalik informed us that, based on the GPS of previous hunters, the all-zeros spot is located in the middle of the barn where a large trailer now parked. We entered the barn and tried very hard to get the all-zeros reading under the trailer which turned out to be nearly impossible with weak GPS reception.

After the futile attempt for the all-zeros reading, we had a nice visit with Ms. Kowalik and her father in the yard. Clearly they were very happy to be the proud owner of a confluence point, and enjoyed occasional visitors. There were many animals in the yard – chicken, and two cats sitting comfortably in the pilot seat of a large tractor.

After bidding farewell to the Kowalik family, we reached the main entrance of Auschwitz museum in 20 minutes. We spent most of the day visiting the remains and displays of the most incredible tragedy perpetrated by the Nazis during World War II with a very heavy heart. We left Auschwitz around 4 pm and reached Berlin by 9 pm, concluding our 6-days Eastern European tour with six confluence points for three new line-hunters. A great trip!

Rating of this hunt

Degree of Challenge :

1 – drive up to the gate with 50 meters to go inside the gate (1= very easy - drive to the point; to 5= a death march – glad it is over)

Scenery:

3– pleasant farming and residential community (Scale: 1= not interesting at all; 5= take your breath away)

Culture-social factors:

4 – one of the most fun visit by meeting the wonderful family living right on the Confluence Point (Scale: 1=dull; 5= most stimulating)