What will we do now?
OK, we've had a think; think we'll stay 'till 30/06 (Sunday) while exploring the area. Then we'll head into Poland - have some ideas about where.
Wednesday
We explore the beach.....
Thursday
We head back into Latvia, some 70km, to explore the coastal town/port of Liepãja. We find a fascinating place with a young population with a surprising number of young mums. We heard earlier about the social pressure to marry early and have children.
We find a really nice restaurant that provides a high quality 'business lunch' set menu for less than we paid for bratwurst and coke in Lithuania....
Wonderful white sand
A lone woman looks out to sea, waiting for her husband/lover/son. A memorial to those lost at sea, including the crew of an American navy 'plane.
Contrast: Orthodox Church and some poorer housing stock..
Navy ships...
Amazingly, we turn up on the 100 year independence day celebrations (OK, forgetting about Hitler and the Soviet annexe). We hear the British, American and French ambassadors speaking... There's even a Scottish military pipe band. It helps to reassure this young country, I guess; there is real concern, even fear, about Russian intentions in the Baltic countries. It's easy for us Island inhabiting British to feel complacent but it's only been around 30 years since these countries were under forced Communist rule; it's a credit to their respective governments that so much progress has been made....
So, a very good day indeed and we're so very glad that we said farewell to Latvia by visiting this less 'touristy' town. We found the locals really helpful, with a pride in their town.
Back at our Lithuanian camp we listen to the women's world cup match against Norway.....
Friday
A trip in the Treg on the Neringa Peninsula as far as Nida, near the Russian border.
(This is the border with their territory between Lithuania and Poland - thus giving them an accessible port that doesn't freeze in the winter)
We cross to the peninsula with a quick ferry ride
Wooden houses of Niva
Stylish clever sundial on the 50m Parnidzio Dune
The Hill of Witches at Juodkranté
This cormarant colony has killed off the trees in which they nest; it's their acidic droppings apparently. How is that helpful to them on an evolutionary scale.. Mmm? Answers please..
Nida harbour
Adventures finished here. Now where are we off to on Sunday?
OK, we've had a think; think we'll stay 'till 30/06 (Sunday) while exploring the area. Then we'll head into Poland - have some ideas about where.
Wednesday
We explore the beach.....
Thursday
We head back into Latvia, some 70km, to explore the coastal town/port of Liepãja. We find a fascinating place with a young population with a surprising number of young mums. We heard earlier about the social pressure to marry early and have children.
We find a really nice restaurant that provides a high quality 'business lunch' set menu for less than we paid for bratwurst and coke in Lithuania....
Wonderful white sand
Navy ships...
Amazingly, we turn up on the 100 year independence day celebrations (OK, forgetting about Hitler and the Soviet annexe). We hear the British, American and French ambassadors speaking... There's even a Scottish military pipe band. It helps to reassure this young country, I guess; there is real concern, even fear, about Russian intentions in the Baltic countries. It's easy for us Island inhabiting British to feel complacent but it's only been around 30 years since these countries were under forced Communist rule; it's a credit to their respective governments that so much progress has been made....
So, a very good day indeed and we're so very glad that we said farewell to Latvia by visiting this less 'touristy' town. We found the locals really helpful, with a pride in their town.
Back at our Lithuanian camp we listen to the women's world cup match against Norway.....
Friday
A trip in the Treg on the Neringa Peninsula as far as Nida, near the Russian border.
(This is the border with their territory between Lithuania and Poland - thus giving them an accessible port that doesn't freeze in the winter)
We cross to the peninsula with a quick ferry ride
Wooden houses of Niva
Stylish clever sundial on the 50m Parnidzio Dune
The Hill of Witches at Juodkranté
This cormarant colony has killed off the trees in which they nest; it's their acidic droppings apparently. How is that helpful to them on an evolutionary scale.. Mmm? Answers please..
Nida harbour
Adventures finished here. Now where are we off to on Sunday?
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