Not the fault of Lithuania per se, but in October itself I did not expect to feel this cold.
Location in the World map …
Some interesting tidbits about Lithuania …
Last country in Europe to adopt Christianity.
Lithuanian is one of the oldest languages in the Indo-European family, retaining many archaic features that have disappeared from other languages. Its structure is similar to Sanskrit.
The 1st Soviet Republic to declare independence (From USSR).
Basketball is incredibly popular, almost a national obsession.
Lithuania is known for its amber, often called “Baltic Gold,” and has a thriving amber industry.
Lithuanians celebrate two independence days: one for the declaration of independence from the Soviet Union and another for the declaration of independence from Germany in 1918.
1/3rd of Lithuania is forests.
The traditional Lithuanian folk dance and the Lithuanian Song Festival are recognized by UNESCO.
In the 14th Century, Lithuania was the largest country in Europe.
Kaunas is the 2nd largest city in Lithuania.
Among the 3 Baltic Nations (Estonia/Latvia/Lithuania), Lithuania is the cheapest.
Potatoes are a common ingredient in Lithuanian dishes.
Timeline:
Tribal Unification in 13th Century -> Expanded its territories and controlled a vast area in Europe -> Union with Poland in 1569 -> Russian Empire (Tsars) -> Declaration of Independence (February 16th 1918) -> German Occupation (1940) -> Soviet Occupation (1945) -> Declaration of Independence (March 11th 1990).
Capital: Vilnius
Largest City: Vilnius
Population: 2.9M (Vilnius: 0.55M)
Language: Lithuanian (30% speak English)
Religion: Christianity (Majority are Roman Catholics)
Currency: Euro (1E == 101.51 INR)
GDP (Nominal): 88 Billion USD
National Animal: White Stork (Ciconia Ciconia)
My 1st impressions:
Hope it lasts … But Lithuania looks Sunny and Warmer 🙂
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Sunny, yes (So far), but I am still freezing … Had to have dinner with Sweater, Jacket and Beanie Cap!
My Experiences
Ah … A covered bicycle. It should help with the cold. And she was pedalling fast … Vilnius, Lithuania.Vilnius Bus Station … Vilnius, Lithuania.Street signs … Vilnius, Lithuania.Vilnius Cathedral. Roman Catholic Cathedral. Dedicated to the Christian saints Stanislaus and Ladislaus. Vilnius, Lithuania.Lithuanian flag … Vilnius, Lithuania.Liked the Lithuanian-Flag-draped pillars … Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.Lokys Restaurant, Vilnius, Lithuania. The restaurant had a nice ambience. Since I did not have a reservation, I had to sit outside and even with a fire heater nearby, it was quite cold for me …Lokys Restaurant, Vilnius, Lithuania. Beetroot Hummus …Lokys Restaurant, Vilnius, Lithuania. Cold Beetroot Soup. Look at the side! Boiled Potatoes 🙂 Lithuanians love Potatoes.Lokys Restaurant, Vilnius, Lithuania. Game Sausage, with Sauerkraut and Mashed Potatoes.The Low-Key entrance to Lokys 🙂 Vilnius, Lithuania.Vilnius Cathedral … At night. Vilnius, Lithuania.The beer I had at Lokys Restaurant, Vilnius, Lithuania. The restaurant was promoting this beer brand “Dundulis” …The countryside … Mostly Lithuania. During the 4hr bus ride from Riga, Latvia to Vilnius, Lithuania.Statue of Vincas Kudirka (Writer, Composer, Doctor). The sculpture, which is almost 4 metres tall, is made of bronze and was built in 2009. Vilnius, Lithuania.Had a very expensive and lousy breakfast 🙁 Horrible coffee and some muck in the name of “Sandwich” … Vilnius, Lithuania.Local bus … Vilnius, Lithuania.The beautiful St. Anne’s Church. Loved the red bricks. Vilnius, Lithuania.Bolt is quite popular in the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). Vilnius, Lithuania.Monument to Grand Duke Gediminas … Near the Vilnius Cathedral. Vilnius, Lithuania.The interior of Vilnius Cathedral … Vilnius, Lithuania.The interior of Vilnius Cathedral … Vilnius, Lithuania.An interesting statue … Near Gediminas Castle. Vilnius, Lithuania.Monument to King Mindaugas … Vilnius, Lithuania.Interior courtyard of the Gediminas Castle … Vilnius, Lithuania.Loved these pavement stones in Gediminas Castle … Vilnius, Lithuania.Gediminas Tower. Gediminas’ Castle Tower is the remaining fortification tower of the Upper Castle. Gediminas (1275-1341) was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 until his death in 1341. Gediminas is considered to have been the founder of Vilnius. During his reign, Lithuania was the largest nation in Europe. Vilnius, Lithuania.To get to the Three Crosses Monument, one has to do a bit of climbing … 🙂 Vilnius, Lithuania.To get to the Three Crosses Monument, one has to do a bit of climbing … 🙂 Vilnius, Lithuania.The Three Crosses Monument. Legend has it that 7 Friars were beheaded on this hill in the 14th Century. Vilnius, Lithuania.View of Vilnius from the Three Crosses Monument … You can make out the Vilnius TV Tower in the distance. Vilnius, Lithuania.View of Vilnius from the Three Crosses Monument … You can make out the Vilnius TV Tower in the distance. Vilnius, Lithuania.Church of Saints Peter and Paul … Looks quite normal from outside, but the interiors are fantastic. Vilnius, Lithuania.View of the Neris River from one of the many bridges across it … Vilnius, Lithuania.Cycling track … Though not to the levels in Denmark, cycling is quite popular here also, it looks like. Vilnius, Lithuania.It was a beautiful walk along the Neris River … Vilnius, Lithuania.The map of the Jogging/Walking/Cycling track along Neris River … Vilnius, Lithuania.Another view of the Neris River … Vilnius, Lithuania.Another view of the Neris River … Vilnius, Lithuania.Took a Pit-Stop for a snack. Tried one each of the pastries in the top shelf. Yumm!!! Vilnius, Lithuania.One can rent bicycle to zoom around the Old Town … Vilnius, Lithuania.Vilnius Airport (VNO), from outside. Vilnius, Lithuania.Inside the Vilnius Airport (VNO). Small and cute airport 🙂 Vilnius, Lithuania.The entrances to various apartment blocks … Vilnius, Lithuania.Various Churches/Cathedrals … Vilnius, Lithuania.The statues along the facade of Vilnius Cathedral … Vilnius, Lithuania.The highly ornate interiors of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. Vilnius, Lithuania.Some of the interesting buildings I saw … Vilnius, Lithuania.
