May 14, 2009, Apple Island, to Paluse, to Aukstaitija NP Lithuania. The national park is a very remote area in the northeast section of Lithuania. Paluse was our first stop at the info-center and a young “ranger” sold us a map and gave some direction for camping and hiking. Paluse has a wooden church and bell tower built in 1750. St. Joseph’s Church and bell tower were built and the only tool used was an axe. The cold air registered 40, but the wind off the lake made it feel a lot colder. Off we went to Ginucial?? We attempted to [View Full Entry]

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Hi everybody, I am back and there is much to write about. I want to let you know that, for the moment atleast, my blog will take a slight twist. It will once again become a bit more baseball-oriented. This is because, yet again, my life has become more baseball-oriented as well. I have been here in Lithuania since January; I arrived in the bittery cold winter, near-zero temperatures, heading directly to Juodkrante with Viktorija and family to celebrate the New Year with family by drinking champagne, dancing in the bitter cold around a huge decorated christmas tree in the square [View Full Entry]

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A few highlights from the first few weeks of games: ************************* LITHUANIAN CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK 2: LITUANICA (KAUNAS) AND VIKINGAS (VILNIUS) TAKE TWO FROM LOGIPOLIJA AND VETRA Kaunas Lituanica extended their record to 4-0 in ’09 Championship Play with two wins over Vilnius Logipolija this weekend, beating Logipolija 13-7, 16-5 in two games. In game 1 Will Gordon and Marijus Dargis shared the pitching duties for Lituanica, recording 11 strikeouts and giving up only 4 hits in 9 innings. Lituanica outmatched Logipolija, recording 16 hits on the game, led by strong hitting p [View Full Entry]

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Day 10-11 (May 12-13) Moving time again and now it was a trip up north 2 hours by local train to stay in the Aukštaitija national park. We were collected at the station and driven to our local host families home where we were staying (they move out into a little cottage next door while we were there). The family speak little English but were so welcoming that we soon felt right at home. We had a room with window and balcony overlooking the lake. The national park was proclaimed with the villages still to remain inside it, as part of [View Full Entry]

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Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe. ~Anatole France May 11, 2009, Monday, Trakai to Vilnius, Lithuania, “A Problem Day… Somedays are just not easy”, or “The Day Kel almost lost it”. As the rain came down, we parked and rushed to the bus, but we didn’t have the correct amount. (Why would the price change from yesterday?) Maureen rummaged through her purse and paid the additional amount, we took a seat. Ten minutes later, Maureen can’t find her wallet? PANIC sets-i [View Full Entry]

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Day 8-9 (May 10-11) A four hour journey by local bus took us from Klaipeda to Vilnius the capital of Lithuania. Vilnius is a place with many churches and preserved buildings. It has one of the oldest universities (1500’s). The next day we visited the old capital at Trakai about an hour away, and it’s feudal castle and museum surrounded by a lake. Rather amused by the three dimensional picture of a royal speaking from one of the rooms. My room-mate and I found a great place by the river for a leisurely lunch of local fare - a zeppelin. This [View Full Entry]

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When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money. ~Susan Heller May 9, 2009, Saturday, The Lakeside Restaurant to Traki, Lithuania . It turned out to be a noisy night, everyone stops for the lake-view, but the price was right. We stopped the town of Trakai, a town located in Lithuania’s Lake District, and is the ancient capital. Trakai’s trophy is the fairytale Island Castle, which we toured, it is the only island fortress in Europe. After getting Litas, the currency [View Full Entry]

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Day 6-7 (May 8-9) The following day was another bus journey to our next destination, Klaipeda on the Curonian spit in Lithuania, but not such an early start. We travelled through more amazingly green countryside. We arrived to find that we had a converted guest house which had two adjoining rooms sharing a small lounge area. More importantly it had a kettle so we were able to make our own coffee. Kettle’s in rooms is not the norm in Europe, apparently, so this was a real treat. (it’s funny how small things please when you don’t have them). Dinner was local [View Full Entry]

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Klaipéda, 3e ville de Lithuanie apres Vilnius et Kaunas et premier port du pays. On peine a croire que pres de 200'000 personnes vivent ici. Dimanche apres-midi, le soleil brille et les rues du centre ville sont presque désertes. Il est vrai qu'il fait frisquet, mais il y a plus d'ambiance au centre ville de Monthey un apres-midi de semaine qu'ici ! Au point qu'on dirait que tous les bistrots et restos sont fermés. Eh non ! Il faut simplement oser pousser la porte et entrer. Tenez ! Je suis passé devant un resto au nom évocateur : Taverna Ferdinandas. Sans [View Full Entry]

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Départ de Sassnitz pour Klaipéda en Lithuanie. 20h00 de traversée pour un grand pas a l'est. C'est d'ailleurs le premier changement de fuseau horaire du voyage. Traverser la Baltique a bord du Vilnius est une expérience a tenter. Le profil type de l'homme d'équipage, c'est 1m90, 110kg, le cheveux ras, la clope en permanence et le sourire rare. Cela dit, les cabines sont confortables et les repas de premier ordre. Malgré les panneaux en lithuanien, on trouve vite ses marques entre les différents ponts du navire. En dépit des bonnes conditions de navigation, ca tangue tout de meme pas mal et [View Full Entry]

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