Lithuania – bagfullofrocks

I am sitting in my room, which is now slowly turning into a jungle with all the new plants I recently bought (let’s call it lockdown fever) and I am feeling extremely home sick. I am slowly losing hope that I will be able to see my family anytime soon and it makes me sad. I thought writing might help, but…I realised that the next trip which happened after I returned from Sri Lanka & Dubai was my trip home to Lithuania and then to Berlin to see my best friend Rasa. I was meant to see my family and Rasa a month ago too, but this didn’t happen due to Covid-19, so I was determined to skip writing about my last summer’s trip and just jump straight to my holiday in Greece. Then I thought that running away from my feelings would only make me feel worse, so here I am, looking at the photos and trying to write something that makes sense (at least to me).

It was my dad’s 60th birthday last July. I missed a lot of different birthdays, funerals, various other celebrations since I moved to Scotland, but there was no way I was missing my dad’s birthday this time. The time at home turned out to be the most relaxing and I loved every minute of it. The weather was beautiful, so I was swimming in the lake twice a day, eating all the berries I could find (there were loads!), foraging for mushrooms and spending time with family.

I really hope I will get to go back this summer too. Even if I don’t do that much when I’m at home, it’s so good to relax a bit and to spend loads of time in nature.

My dad’s birthday is three days before mine and even if I don’t particularly like celebrating my birthdays, I love making those days a bit more special. Spending some time with my best Rasa in Berlin was one of the best ways to do it.

Rasa got me some cake for breakfast, then we went to get new piercings (I finally got my conch pierced) and we had a long wander in the botanic garden. Some good food, drinks and jazz afterwards with a slightly drunk walk home, what else do you need?

Oh and I have a tradition to go to C/O Berlin every time I’m in the city. Their photography exhibitions always inspire me and encourage me to look at things from a new angle (at least for the next few days). Last July they had a fascinating exhibition related to food, here are some amazing works to finish this post.

I’ll write something more exciting and happier next time 🙂

In June 2018 I went back to Lithuania for my brothers graduation and I spent a few days with my parents in one the most beautiful places – Curonian Spit. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage, 98km long and shared between Lithuania (north) and Russia (south).

It’s a complete paradise that I recommend visiting to anyone going to Lithuania. You can get there by taking a very short ferry ride from Klaipėda. The area is famous for it’s original fishing villages like Nida or Juodkrantė, various folklore stories, giant sand dunes (tallest migrating dunes in Europe) and various other things you wouldn’t find anywhere else in Lithuania. I also loved beautiful and very colourful old houses, nice food and very relaxed atmosphere. Some of my favourite things were:

1. The Dead Dunes (also called the Grey Dunes)

These are the huge (up to 60m) tall dunes that moved so fast between the 17th and the 19th centuries that “swallowed” several villages along their way.

I really couldn’t believe it was in Lithuania, I felt like in a middle of the desert especially because it was really windy and I felt sand in my face.

It’s quite a popular spot and parking can be challenging, but be patient and you’ll be rewarded. There is also a small charge to enter the path leading to the dunes.

2. Parnidis Dune and the Sundial

Remember I first visited this place when I was a kid, it really left a huge impression on me. Beautiful panorama from up there and you can see the Russian border as well. Apparently it’s the only spot in Lithuania that has perfect conditions for a sundial.

We went up to the area to watch a sunset one evening which was one of the highlights of the trip. It’s easily done from Nida town and its a beautiful spot to sit down, enjoy a drink, company and the view.

3. The walk up to Dune of Vecekrugas

The tallest Dune in Curonian spit and just a really enjoyable walk with nice views.

4. Raganu Kalnas (The Hill of Witches)

I love the imagination of the artists who created all the sculptures. Go for a stroll and pick your favourite!

5. Bike rides

I didn’t cycle when I was there but saw loads of people doing it and it made me a bit jealous (I love cycling). There are loads of beautiful forrest paths all around Curonian Spit (most of them well connected) that are great for cycling and exploring the area. Some people said cycling around Curonian Spit was one the highlights of their trip.

6. Chilling on the beach

It felt really relaxed when I was there but I know some places can get crowded. The Baltic Sea can be a bit chilly, so don’t expect a Mediterranean holiday, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying yourself. Lithuania is pretty awesome in summer anyway.

Don’t forget to try delicious smoked fish and have a fab holiday!

Category: Lithuania

Summer Holidays 2019

Curonian Spit in Lithuania