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Kaz is feeling the stress of my driving so I am doing the blog for today. Well we woke up in our little apartment in the old town of Vilnius and had rye bread with liver pate and cheese for breakfast followed by a coffee at the cafe 30 meters away. It rained overnight so today is a bit cooler and the humidity not quite as intense (that still hasn't stopped Kaz from sweating, how much water can come out of one head, I don't know but it has to be measured in litres) so we headed off on walking ramble around Vilnius. Went down the main old town street looking at amber and dodging the cobblestones and Lithuanian drivers (they are something else!!!!), then out into the open space in front of the impressive cathedral, then on the funicular up to the last remains of the city fortress, gediminas tower taking in the wonderful view. I must say that the cost of being a tourist in Vilnius is great the funicular was 2 Litas which is about $0.70 and the entry to the fort was about $1.50, now they might not have been the best attractions presentation wise but the cost does not put any doubt in your mind, will I, won't I.
Anyway wandered up the main street and then back to the old town, feeling a bit thirsty by then so had to have the obligatory couple of afternoon beers. Then it got very dark and menacing so made a run for the apartments just in time as it pelted down. It eased off a couple of hours later so we headed off umbrellas in hand for dinner to a local restaurant recommended by the apartment owner and it was good food. Sitting there taking in more beer and the snack of fried bread and cheese (can't eat too much of it as the guts starts to churn) and the cops come flying down the street on their Segways. First action is to get an email off to the Split crew advising that Maria has a job opportunity due to her high speed Segway skills, followed by a photo on their second pass.
Dinner was pork rissoles and pickled vegetables for me and cabbage rolls stuffed with mince for Kaz, Yum Yum (this is genuine not sarcasm here). Walked back to the apartment as have to get all my stuff I have spread out ready for leaving tomorrow.
We have really enjoyed the Baltic states and would definitely return as each country had it own characteristics that we enjoyed. Vilnius had a different feel than Riga and Tallinn as the old town is spread over a larger area and is open to traffic while the others were pedestrian. I could not really put one above the other, though the womenfolk in Estonia were the standout and in each country I consistently managed my catchphrase for the trip "mmmmm I like that beer!!"
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