Day 14 - Riga and home!

We woke up and had a rather tasty breakfast in the hotel, then packed our rucksacks for the last time. Leaving our luggage at the hotel we went to catch a bus into the city center but this turned out to be quite difficult as it was a public holiday in Riga, meaning transport was free and therefore incredibly busy. The first bus that came definitely would not fit 10 people on but we managed to squish into the second bus. We got off at the new town and headed towards a department store called Stockmann's. Emily had been setting security alarms off in shops for the past few days but the security guard at Stockmann's was the only person who searched her. After 5 minutes of walking back and forth through the scanners and removing various items of clothing he finally let us in. However as we left, despite it being the same security guard we had to go through the whole palava again! We then split up to do some shopping. Cath, Sara and Rachel unsuccessfully searched high and low for a badge shop but we found badges in the first shop we went in! For lunch we went to Cili Pica, a restaurant we'd passed lots of times in various countries but never been in. We gave the leaders small thank you presents and they gave each of us an award - best captain (Helena), best sense of direction (Becky), best bank (Rachel T), best dancer (Imogen), best postcard writer (Emily), reigning champion of Cluedo (Linda) and best globe trotter (Rachel S). They also got us a little sheep as a reminder of the hilarious game of Sheep Pong we had with the Lithuanian guides. After lunch we went into the old town. We did last minute present buying and shopping at a lovely market then went back to the hotel to wait for our taxis to the airport. Linda, Helena, Rachel T, Rachel S and Becky had a great taxi driver who turned up the music for them to sing along to and then gave them a round of applause afterwards! We checked in (a stressful experience!) then got dinner in the airport. Our flight left at about 10.50pm but most of us didn't sleep as we didn't want to waste our last hours together. Instead we played all the card games we've taught Helena to make sure she doesn't forget them. On arrival at Manchester we nipped in the loo for.... a FREE WEE! This is not something you get in Eastern Europe! We were soon reunited with our families and had farewell pictures and hugs before going our separate ways. Although we will be back together soon as we have been promised a debrief weekend :)
It has been such a good two weeks and we all say a big thank you to everyone who has made it possible!

Team Lithuania x

Day 13 - Tallinn

We woke up on our last day in Tallinn and quickly went down to have a traditional (?) Estonian breakfast. After this we packed up our rucksacks then headed out for the day, our aim to see the historical old town. We passed through the gates of the old city and proceeded to look at various souvenir shops which were in the old medical style. Some of us then did a tour of the main tourist sites such as the cathedral while others continued to shop. After this we broke for lunch at a lovely restaurant which had a Michelin starred chef! A few of us then went to see one of the old towers on the city wall which was amusingly named Fat Margaret, and was indeed rather fat. We all met together again to go on a little tourist train around the city. We were given a leaflet for the museum of mediaeval torture instruments, but we opted to gives a miss! After our day in the old Tallinn we headed to the bus station to catch our bus to Riga. It was a long journey so many of us slept. We arrived at the hotel and swiftly went to bed, ready to spend the day in Riga tomorrow.
Love Hel V and EmChat (as we have become known!)

Day 12 - Helsinki

After a few minor mishaps on land (Emily and Helena overslept then locked their key in the room), Captain Vesty was at home again this morning as we boarded the MS Star to Helsinki.
We had breakfast on the ship then most of us slept for a while. Once in Helsinki we hopped on a hop on, hop off tourist bus around the city. This showed us the main sites then we hopped off for a look in the cathedral. For lunch we went to Hard Rock Cafe, then headed to the Guide and Scout HQ. We were taken to a room with refreshments where we were given a presentation about the Finnish scout movement and watched a video of Roverway - an international event which they held last summer. The staff told us where the scout shop was so we found that and bought lots of badges.
We got back on the ferry (although it was the MS Superstar this time!) and had a rather rough crossing back to Estonia. We are all very much looking forward to a good nights sleep tonight!
Team Lithuania x

Day 10- Stockholm

Turns out the sea doesn't always lull you to sleep. The boat and the beds rocked all night, leaving many of us too tired to get up that morning. However, the view outside the windows more than made up for the early hour. We ascended (some of us an hour later than others) to see islands dotted along our path, covered with trees and shrubs, some with the occasional house. The water was bright and clear, as was the day, and after a quick breakfast, we took to dry land. Opposite us as we docked, there was a huge, luxurious cruise liner; unfortunately, we couldn't get that on the way back, since it would have blown the entire budget for the rest of the trip. Taking a tour bus round the sights, we explored the history of the city before reaching the old town. There, we browsed for some souvenirs from the many shops that lined the streets. Some of us were lucky enough to get a picture with a group of Italian scouts also doing some sightseeing. Lunch was from a small supermarket in one of the squares, and eaten sitting on the water front by the docks. We gained a few funny looks from passersby and other tourists. After that, we walked to the palace, where we took some photos with one of the guards on duty in front. Don't think he was too impressed. Wandering a little longer, we saw the cathedral before returning back to the ship. The ride out of Sweden was smooth for the most part. More scenic houses and islands passed us by, along with the Emerald Princess we wished was our boat. For a lot of us, the night consisted of playing cards, reading, and singing. From Helena, we received an interesting rendition of 'under the sea', along with several other Disney classics. Hopefully, the ride would be smoother, and sleep easier once we returned to our rooms tonight.

Love, Becky x

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!