It all began with a wedding invite to Vilnius in Lithuania. We wove around it an European vacation covering 8 coveted bucketlist countries (Sweden, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Rep, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and France)...for a person who had never stepped outside India. Initiated by a few inputs from a travel agency, it took me 6 months of extensive study and planning to create a 20 day itinerary which included touristy stuff as well as local experiences. Now I am back with an even bigger list of Do's and Don'ts. But the experience was worth all the Don'ts ..for sure...One life is all we have!
Gaiety, complete abandon...limits are only self imposed....warm hospitality, rich pagan traditions....music and rhythm...that was the Vilnius I experienced...
The first sight of Vilnius from the skies..
...we land at the Vilnius airport...after flying from Arlanda by Norwegian Flight..
...the small yet well kept, beautiful airport...
...we move to the Old Town Square...
..........dancing and music in the square...intrinsic part of their lives.
........sit down for a meal, and ironically order swedish specialities, which we missed at Stockholm: meatballs and lingon berries...
....lunch environs...
....spot the 18th century Cathedral and the bell tower...the cathedral being dressed up for the Popes visit...
...the bell tower beckons..
...the bravehearted attempt the 300 odd steps....
...while the rest wait....
...fortlike....remnants of the Royal Castle...hilltop gediminas towers, symbolises the heart of the city....and offers...
....the old town...
...the history of the Old Royal Castle...
.....the men climb up and wave from the top....which is going to be made accessible...a new lift in the offing....
....while we are like two dots in the shade of the building below....
.....the mood of the town square....cycling, skate boarding, walking....relaxing, jogging...
...as clouds gather, we leave old town and move towards a tiny village near Vilnius...
We reach our destination for the day....lovely cottages of our friends son's fiancee.