Hotel Stikliai Vilnius

... European city. Many buildings have been renovated, commercial area has been developed as a the New City Center, roads and infrastructure have been fixed. And yet, when we were walking in the town, admiring the history which is still alive, religion icons & places which are part of daily rituals, markets and places around the town, we still felt Russian influence and years of being under their control.
Vilnius, Lithuania ulka

... They are so different from what you see in Western Europe. It was really cool. I also got to see the Gates of Dawn, which is a small worship area over an archway. I think it's a very big deal here. I saw people crossing themselves just to go through the archway. I went up into it and there were a ton of people on the floor praying. I felt bad that I wasn't a Catholic, and even worse, I was a tourist, so I left. I saw the big cathedral and it ...

... bus. I took a mini bus to Trakai Castle, some 30 km away. It was the only castle on an island in Eastern Europe and had been the house of the Dukes of Lithuania. The castle was located in a beautiful little town, which was surrounded by three lakes. There were no seadoos, no big yachts, no motorboats, which made the area that much nicer. Other than that, it reminded me much like Canada, with very cold temperatures in the morning, hot in the evening, leaves falling ...

... culture and history of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy. But same as with everything else in Lithuania, things didn't always go smoothly for it throughout the history. There were days when exhibits were taken to Russia because Russians, I guess, decided they would better preserve Lithuanian cultural and historical heritage, when restorations carried out on some other buildings and institutions in town "forgot" the museum or when foreign occupations simply halted collection work. Still ...

... ammunition gone, it was now again a catholic sanctuary. I entered and on the Assumption Day saw a proud crowd of three grannies and no priest or mass in sight. On the other hand, as a tourist, I preferred it like that as I could do my sightseeing better. And there was no doubt that it was pretty. The highlight, of course, is the beautiful painting of the Raphael the Archangel on the wall above and behind high altar, but there was also a multitude of smaller paintings with gilded rims ...

... Forest is where joint Lithuanian-Polish troops, led by the big guy Vytautas, eventually put to an end attacks by the Crusaders and expansion of Teutonic Order, and in effect prevented them from conquering Lithuania in the process. Having myself acquainted with why Vytautas was the Great, why Trakai Island Castle was important in the history and awareness of Lithuanians, I was now ready to wrap up my visit there. We returned across the drawbridge back to the bailey and first treated ...

... if only briefly) into other countries' cultures and way of life. So, I'm back on trains again, but have to make a stop at the border to switch to a train that will tke me to Warsaw, where I will stay overnight as it arrives late and there is no connection to Krakow until morning. I had a friend in primary and secondary school called George Pegasus, who came from Estonia or Latvia (I can't remember which), so I've known about these places since I was 5 years old, and finally I've been there.

... empty, and it being a Monday find few takers for a night out to sample any bars beyond 50 yards from the hostel. So although I can give you a run down of where to go during the day apart from the hostel kitchen I am at a lost for recommendations at night. Had thoroughly enjoyed this laid back little city and feel like I am starting to get the hang of this backpacking lark, my plans are to strike out for the coast with Aussie Mark and take it from there.

... going to host me. We go at her place, I drop my stuff, have a shower, grab my camera and set off back to the center. Alone this time as Marija goes out to meet up with some mates of hers. I don't know if it's because that's kind of the first city of the trip I really get to know but Vilnius gives me a great impression. It's gorgeous! Moreover, everything is net, it looks quite rich, has impressive cars. I was not expecting this ...

I am sitting in a 4-story attached house in the suburbs of Lithuania. Its a huge house, compared with the large Soviet-style apartment blocks that surround these suburbs. Think the suburbs are the same as the US? Think again. Imagine large, unpaved lots for parking, towering 10-story block apartment buildings, electricity pylons and absolutely no trees or other landscaping. These burbs are purely functional, with buildings being built ...