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Published: July 13th 2011
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We arrive into Vilnius about a day after we expected due to being forced onto an 18-hours train expedition, instead of a simple overnight coach. In the process we had picked up a strange guy from Belgium who followed us from the train. He started off by saying “he didn’t know where he was staying”, and then after following us to our accommodation, said ‘oh, this is exactly what I was looking for” hmmm... But we managed to loose him and were happy to be here, in what already looks like a quaint city.
We decided to reward ourselves with a nice dinner at one of the prominent restaurants in the old town; enjoying the warm evening air and a lovely bottle one wine (once we found one that they did actually stock!).
Feeling like we were a little behind schedule we were quite keen to get a bit of exploring done tonight. We had a wonder down the Ausros Vartu Gatve leading from the old town to Cathedral Square to see the large Vilnius Cathedral and its 57m tall belfry, both very nicely lit. We continued down to the river edge, where all the lights were reflecting in
the water. All very peaceful indeed, but since none of us had had a proper nights since we arrived four days ago (and even longer for Clay!), it was well and truly time for bed!
What better way to start the day than at the pancake shop!? YUMM!! I’m pretty sure I had my breakfast, lunch and half my dinner in one sitting! We climbed up Gediminas Hill, with the remains of an old castle at the top and views right across Vilnius’ skyline. Gediminas was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315, and his name seems to pop up a lot here.
We headed back down to Cathedral Square where there is a large status of Gediminas on his horse beside the dominant Vilnius Cathedral, and it’s quite delightful belfry. The Cathedral itself steams all the way back from 1251, and is the main Catholic church in Lithuania. It’s seen the coronations of the Grand Duke of Lithuania and also the resting place for many important people, including some from Poland.
From here we walked down the main road into the ‘new town’ to the former KGB and Gestpo headquarters. It’s quite a disturbing place, with
lists of people’s names etched into the stone work, and a sign telling a story about how a man jumped out of an upper storey window to his death in a bid to escape. One of many, many stories I am sure. For James and I this was only a taster, as we’ll carry on to one of the current KGB headquarters in Minsk tomorrow (and I promise you stories!).
We carried on to a place called the silver domed church, which sounded interesting on our map, but not quite as we expected – we found the church, but not the silver dome! We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the old town (read: shopping), before it was time for James and I to catch our train to Belarus!
Unfortunately Clay had some trouble trying to get a visa organised to get into Belarus, so he is heading to Latvia for a few days until we all meet up again.
At this point I’m a little bit nervous about what Belarus and Minsk is going to be like, but mostly inquisitive and keen to explore more... although that may well all change...
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