Blogs from Kaunas, Lithuania, Europe - page 2

Geo: 54.8969, 23.8924Whoa. This morning, our guide and driver showed up in an 18 person mini bus for the four of us. She and the driver had no idea about what was in store, expecting they would be taking us on a normal tour of Kaunas, Lithuania. Later, we were glad it was a bus... more on that soon.First, we had to explain to the guide that we had an appointment to meet Barb's relatives and that we needed her to be an interpreter. She said, "This is your day, I will be your interpreter." And that she was. She explained the situation to the bus driver and made a few phone calls, and about an hour later, we found ourselves at the home of Barb's second cousin, Irena. She gave us a tour of the ... read more

Good trip yesterday. Rode alongside a beautiful river towards Kaunas. Had a peek at the Russian border on the way. After following the river for some miles the terrain changed and we started to climb a few hills (not fun). Met another 3 Rugute children as we arrived in Kaunas and received some more presents (paintings and a slab of Rice crispie cake, yum). Checked in to the hotel, had a wander around the beautiful city before having dinner. Earlyish night before the big push to Vilnius in the morning.... read more

Slept well though sore elbow limited movement. Our three beds were a little too close for complete comfort and John lost the snoring competition. We watched the Salmon trying to jump this massive Weir while we had breakfast and then embarked on an 85miler. I ws looking forward to see Kalingrad and a checkpoint so we had a few deviations. The road alongside the river was brilliant but unfortunately didn't have many places to eat so we went hungry for two hours longer than we would have liked...good Kebab though! Very hot and sunny again - 26 degrees. We had completed about 70 miles when the going got tough again and we had some really steep inclines with roads that fared from passable to Arrggh. Some drains where home made and I wish we had taken ... read more

Virtually becoming a couch potato staying at Mindas' comfy flat in the small village of Pakruojis, Ben came to pick us up and enjoy our last night together at his digs in Panevezys, Mindas didn't want to come but relented anyway. We bought a liquor booze made from cherries, and some snacks and we headed to Ben's cool digs, there is an old woman in his apartment on the 1st floor that eyes everyone that comes in the apartment door, Ben said she does that everyday, having nothing to do after retirement, pity. Mindas left very early the next morning on the 1st bus to Pakruojis while Ben and I after we had a good omelette breakfast went for a ride to Birzai in the north, we visited some lakes, a palace, some fort, a few ... read more

Kaunas, Lietuva (Lithuania) - 4 Sept.09 sitting on the bus leaving Kaunas to go to Vilnius the capital of Lithuania - rather later than I thought I would be, as it is almost 7pm so will be a rather late arrival into Vilnius, which is not the best thing for accommodation - but it has been so quiet most places I am not very worried and I have not had any problems anywhere - as the “season” has well and truly ended and people are just not travelling it seems - or spending money either! Kaunas has been a nice place and I have enjoyed it - well worth a stop on Mr Mink's Haphazard Tours - largely due to where else I went - no point in staying in Sieulai as nothing really there - ... read more