Centrum Hotel Vilnius

... wool..that was really nice to walk through, and we bought some kepta duona, which is a Lithuanian food consisting of bread fried in garlic with garlic mayo. In the evening there was a massive Autumn Equinox celebration by the river so we went to watch. We didn't understand any of the speech..but we watched as hundreds of candles were lit on the riverbank and there was a big display of fire eaters and fire throwers with music...it was really lucky we arrived on that day!

:)

... wh**e th**e is a beautiful view of the city fromt he top. Vilnius is such a city of contrast that from the hill we can see forest, parks, old red roofed old town, sky scrap**s and TV tow**. The guide even took us to old Soviet project, old wooden house distrct "Shanghai", new shopping area "Europa". Th**e is a city prison and right next to its barbed wires th**e is kind**garden, preschool, parliment, houses, it it susch a contrast ...

... Another girl came along, as they probably worked in twos, but it didn't change a thing. The black-haired one skilfully kept on leading our conversation, so I was simply standing by the reception and didn't move. When I finally divorced myself from the reception, I had the longest check-in in my life. "Ambassador" hotel has no elevator, and it's quite a struggle to lug the luggage up the narrow staircase to your room. But honestly, I was more at the chat with that receptionist girl ...

... groups of guys who descend on the town each weekend. There are countless stories of guys getting fleeced, robbed, beaten up, etc; even the US embassy has a blacklist of bars to avoid in the town. Overall though our stay there was fantastic as we met some great people and had some great late nights partying with them all! Highlights: Latvia - Riga ** The Fat Boy Slim pizza at John Lemon cafe ** The Occupation Museum, detailing ...

... never get an answer to. There was no popcorn or drinks in "Sklavija". But neither there were commercials. When the lights went off and first picture appeared on screen, it was the beginning of the film. And "History of Violence"? It kicked off brilliantly. Almost all the way to the mid-point I was ready to thank the people who had told me about it. Story of a man who to everyone's - apparently including his own, too - surprise defends his co-workers in the eatery/café he works in ...

... specie di gnocco di patate e farina ripieno di carne e affogato in una crema di panna e pancetta: dopo averne mangiati due ti accorgi perche' si chiamano cosi' e ti senti come se avessi effettivamente ingoiato due dirigibili. Buoni, ma abbastanza per saziare una persona normale per due giorni. Vilnius mi lascia bei ricordi e qualche amico, ma e' gia' ora di ripartire per Riga e scoprire cos'ha di diverso la Lettonia rispetto alla Lituania, visto che li confondo sempre!

... I am reading on my bunk when one of my room mates returns, Turns out to be a chap called Sean from Welyn Garden City, he's been traveling on and off for 8 years and this is his last trip before beginning a degree. He has a bottle of Vodka which we take down to the Kitchen and get introduced to the rest of the hostels inhabitants. Unlike Vienna there is a much higher proportion of veteran backpackers rather than tourists and we spend several ...

We still have difficulty remebering what day of the week it is. Day 28 of the rally seems all important and the relationship to the rest of the world's calendar is difficult. Today we crossed into Lithuania and spent the day driving stages in forests and at Riga motor circuit. We even managed to be featured on Channel 1 Lithuania TV this evening, a shot showing the Jaguar blasting along the final gravel and dusty stage of the day ...

Well in three days Chris and I have managed only one of the six reccomended sights of Vilnius, a pretty poor sculpture of some rocker called Frank Zappa. We did manage to stop at the "Hill of Crosses" a few kilometres out of Siauliai on the way down from Riga. Pretty strange place, it is basically a hill with a lot, and I mean a real lot (millions) of crosses stuck on it. The Lithuanians have been sticking crosses there as a memorial for their loved ones since the ...