Before leaving our Trakai campsite with the 'van in tow, we head off in the Treg to the Hill of Angels to walk through the unique site above the town. Each wooden carved 'angel' has a plaque with a quotation - not always from the bible. Whatever your beliefs, it's a peaceful, calming place in the early morning. A coach full of schoolchildren arrives as we drive off...
Castle on the Hill
City View from Castle
So, refreshed, we pick up the 'van and head off to the site close to the capital city of Lithuania, Vilnius.
We drop off the 'van, pick up two travelling friends and head to Paneriai, the site where some 80,000 Jews were systematically slaughtered by the Nazi regime in WW2. A very sobering visit but one we all think is important for us to experience.
After a pause back at the site to regain our equilibrium, we head into the city by bus (which is always a mini adventure in a new country) to experience parts of the capital we're probably not going to see on the official tour the next day; this is why we start with the 'bohemian' district of Uzupis. We wander, drink, eat and people-watch, getting back to camp after 9pm; what a great start to our experience of the city.
Wierd art
Day 2
We have an official guide for day 2 in the city who is truly exceptional and open. We learn a lot, especially as we sit with her for the included lunch.
We can certainly understand her passion for this exceptional UNESCO historic city with its baroque architecture in abundance, cobbled streets in the old town together with the shiny high-rise glass buildings proudly demonstrating a growing commercial sector.
We can certainly understand her passion for this exceptional UNESCO historic city with its baroque architecture in abundance, cobbled streets in the old town together with the shiny high-rise glass buildings proudly demonstrating a growing commercial sector.
The Presidential Palace
Castle on the Hill
We stay on in the city to visit the ex KGB headquarters, now Museum of Genocide Victims and St. Anne's Church. Plus coffee, of course.
St. Anne's
This has been a really successful and fascinating visit to this city. It has a vibrant, young feel to it. Although Lithuania's post economic crisis economy is still developing, it's interesting to note that there are not large numbers of cars around but of those that there are, a significant proportion of them are extremely expensive; Mercs, Audis, BMWs etc.
Onward to the second largest city tomorrow, all being well. See you there?
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