Day 11 - To Estonia

We woke up this morning in the briny deep after spending our second and last night on MS Isabelle. Latvian land could be seen in the distance but we were still a few hours away so we had a leisurely breakfast, then went back to our cabins to get packed. We left the ship by 11am and got a bus into Riga. Having picked up McDonalds for lunch we had a picnic in the station then caught the first of two trains which were taking us to Tallinn in Estonia. Realising it was not a short journey,  we settled in on the train and spent the next three hours sleeping, reading and playing cards, uno and cluedo. Emily and Helena spent a lot of the journey wondering why train stations appear to be built in the middle of nowhere and who uses such stations? The second train took slightly longer so it was almost 10pm when we arrived in Tallinn. Tomorrow we have an early start so everyone headed straight to bed once we checked into the hotel.

Day 9 - to Riga

Today was another travelling day. After stocking up on yet more food at the supermarket we got on the coach to Riga. It was a five hour journey but it passed quite quickly. Emily and Helena sat behind two very nosy ladies who spent most of the journey watching us all! As soon as we got off the bus at Riga ferry port we boarded the ferry which is taking us to Stockholm. We found our cabins then had a quick rendition of Titanic on deck before going inside to play cards. After eating tea (they had Swedish meatballs like the ikea ones!) we found the games room where we joined some little Swedish girls to play Just Dance, this gave us a good laugh! Too cool off we sat out on the deck for a while and tried to play eye spy, but as the only things we could see were 'water', 'sea', 'waves' and 'sky' it was quite difficult! Hoping for a calm sea tonight!
Team Lithuania x

Day 8 - Meeting Lithuanian Guides

This morning was a bit different as it was rather cold. It was a shock to my system as I had been use to the warmth. 9 o'clock wasn't too early but didn't get enough sleep because storms were on all through the night again. Our first stop was the supermarket for some breakfast. Croissants it was. today is the day we met the Lithuanian guides. We met at the train station for an unknown journey to another city. By this time we needed some lunch, and three guides suggested a pizza place. I must say it was rather nice. Becky and Emily tried melon milkshakes which they found out was rather nice. After our lunch we moved on to a park by the river to play some bonding games. We learnt a new game which was rather funny as we had to say sheep without showing our teeth. This amused us for quite some time. We then walked up to a castle and had our picture taken with the guides. By this time we had to get the bus back to Vilnius. Most had a sleep as the motion of the bus was found to be very relaxing. After an hour and half on the bus we left the guides and went off for some tea. It was another pancake place as we have figured that they like their pancakes. This kept us dry from another storm. Ice cream was the next place and then the padlock bridge again for Helena and Becky as they forgot them yesterday. We took a short cut from the old town and then off to bed. But packing before as its off to Riga by bus then ferry to Sweden.

Lots of love Linda + team Lithuania x

PS. Unless the ferry has wifi there won't be a blog for the next two nights!

Day 7 - Vilnius again!

This morning we were up and out for 9 to set off in search for some breakfast, this took us to a cafe on the main street of the old town area of Vilnius. We all are a hearty meal of a mixture of pancakes and toast, it was quite a sugary start to the day! Once we had looked at some if the street's stalls we went to the main square, here we happened to meet a Russian Scout who had brought his necker in a family holiday. Once we had "made our pictures" with the Scout, (as they say here) we continued to the KGB/Genocide Victims Museum. It gave us lots of new insight into the history of Lithuania in more recent events. After this we had some dinner and then went on a bus tour around the main sights of Vilnius, when we weren't being amused by the audioguides accent, we found the tour very interesting as it showed us many beautiful places we had not seen previously in the capital city such as the Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, which had huge white carvings all over the inside. We got off the bus and went to the Padlock Bridge and even found some couple's padlocks from the same day. We then hijacked a wedding (one of many which we saw that day). We saw the Constitution of the area, which involved many clauses covering the rights of cats and dogs. We had dinner in a cafe in the local area , then we walked to the Gate Of Dawn, the only gate where Lithuanians could see their national emblem of independence during the Soviet period. We returned to the hotel to collect locks for the bridge, but there weather took a turn for the worst (a gross understatement). Whilst walking in the direction of the bridge, thunder and lightning began and the roads began to flood! This resulted in 10 soaked Guides after wading through the ankle deep water. So we went back to the hotel to dry off and get an early night, ready to meet the Lithuanian Guides tomorrow! Exciting! Until tomorrow, Captain Vesty (Helena) x

Day 6 - Imogen's birthday! (and Trakai)

Today was my birthday! (Imogen) it started in an eventful way with a very dramatic thunder storm at 3 o'clock this morning! So after a McDonalds breakfast, our "B & B" turns out to be just a "B", we got the bus to Trakai castle. It was really beautiful. When we arrived who should we see but some Lithuanian sea scouts with some scouts from Germany! So we took the opportunity for a photo. We then went on a boat tour a round the castle which is situated on an island. Then we entered the castle itself and learnt about its history and explored its nooks and crannies. We then had a break and played more cards! (Helena won a game! Then we taught her yet another new one) After that we bravely embarked on a pedalo adventure, once again saw the castle from different angles. We names the two pedalos 'Vesty's Vessel' and 'Spencer's Ship'. Then we headed to the restaurant to have a nice birthday meal, we all changed into our glad rags in the lovely toilets! Then it was back on the bus to Vilnius where we went to the old town for an ice cream dessert.  Where we were complemented on the quality of our grasp of the English language, much to the embarrassment of the waiter when we explained it was because we were from England! It has been another great day in Lithuania and a birthday to remember  :-)

Team Lithuania

Day 5 - Vilnius

Finally got chance to lie in this morning!!! Well, most of us- Spencer decided to get up at 8, and spend 40 minutes in the shower. After the 11 clock wake up call, it was another hour before we moved towards productivity - although Emily did teach Helena a new card game! We walked to the old town square, not far from where we stayed. Lunch was a huge meal sitting in the shade of a parasol, watching other tourist groups go by. The waiter seemed nervous round us (we'd regained our energy) but he was nice. After that we headed deeper into the town, where we came across the cathedral and a museum, which contained information on the lords and rulers of Lithuania. Some of us had more fun colouring in. Since we needed a drink, we went to Yo Yo, the frozen yougurt store- something I'd never tried before. None of us knew what 100g felt like, which made it a little more expensive. The drinks idea didn't really work out, but the spoons were cool. After that, we went to the cathedral, but we couldn't get any photos due to the mass. Then we trecked to the top of the hill to see the tower castle. The view from the top was amazing. The old town looks like something from the set of a Persian film, or  a venetian city in Shakespeare; a beautiful sight. Tea was La Crepe. The meals were nice, as was desert, though Imogen managed to get her finger stuck in a glass bottle. Never laughed so hard in my life!  We then headed to the bus station, but it was closed, so we all twisted our hair into buns and walked back to the hotel like that; half of us had too much hair, and half too little. Back at the hotel, one of the other lodgers caught Spencer dancing in front of the huge mirror in the hallway whilst he made a cup of tea, which was embarrassing for her. She didn't realise he spoke English either. Tomorrow, unfortunately, we have to get up earlier so we can get the bus to Trakai. Can't wait.

Love, Becky xx

Day 4 - to Vilnius

Today was a travelling (rest!) day. Up and packed by 6.15am and our first train took 5 hours. We then got a bus and another two trains. Most trains are very rickety but the last train was a posh, air-conditioned double decker! The journey seemed very smooth compared to the other the journeys. Sadly upstairs was first class only :(
We eventually got to Vilnius and found our hotel, then went out for a meal. Imogen and Rachel T were very adventurous and had pig's tongue! They ate it all but they are not sure they would choose it again (to the relief of everyone else - the shape and tastebuds made it resembled a tongue a bit too much!). We then got ice cream on the way back.
Team Lithuania x