Another Walk In Vilnius

Hill of Three Crosses lords it over Old Town

It's our last day in Vilnius and we have a train to catch in about four hours. However, when I opened our hotel room window early in the morning, the distant sight of the Hill of Three Crosses was beckoning me to come. Set on a wooded park up on the hill overlooking Vilnius, I realize this would make for a good walk. Erwin, my traveling buddy, still wanted to sleep so I went by myself.

Vilnius: Market, Museum & More

Visiting a local market is something I'm fond of doing whenever I travel and this trip to Vilnius gave me that chance once again. A local market - devoid of touristy, kitschy stuff we usually see at tourist spots - is like a window to the soul of a destination. This is where we see, as visitors, what local produce are available and what the locals buy which goes straight to their homes. Besides, it's always exciting to see  and feel that rush of activity as people go about their business: the sellers displaying their goods and the buyers perusing what's on sale.

Trakai, Lithuania

Trakai Island Castle surrounded by  Lake Galve

Something outside of Vilnius was calling our name and our way of answering that call was joining an organized excursion. As this involved some heavy historical stuff, we felt we might as well leave the talking to someone who's been there many times while pointing the highlights to us.  All we'd do is just look, listen and shoot. It wasn't a large group anyway, just about 10 or so of us visitors that boarded a minibus, each paying 29 euros for the privilege. Our guide was a twenty-something local whose passion, as expected, was basketball.

Senamiestis: Vilnius

Lead us to the right path

There are two things that Lithuanians are passionate about - team sport and religion. In a predominantly soccer-crazed continent, Lithuanians go wild for basketball. And when it comes to spirituality, a vast majority of them are Roman Catholics. So it comes natural that both sport and religion co-exist happily in this tiny Baltic country with . . . major, major followers.