Cesky Krumlov

Torrential rain greeted us in Cesky Krumlov, but it didn't put a damper on exploring the city. The Cesky Castle is perfectly perched on top of sharp rock and a steep hill across the meandering river that runs through the sleepy town. The town's name is derived from Cesky meaning Czech and Krumlov, which is to meander through a specific watercourse. I took the day to relax and later tried a local treat which is fresh pastry baked around a hot metal roller, then covered in cinnamon and sugar. I would say this is similar to a Beaver Tail at Blue Mountain or Quebec City....but you get more bang for your buck in Cesky...super filling. The rain eventually stopped and I could get mz camera out to capture the layered red and orange peak roofs and the view from the castle walls. Had the weather been slightly warmer I would have taken a raft down the Vltava river.
It was a nice break to visit the quaint little town, and next I'm off to Vienna!

Prague

Wowie! This city is awesome! Every corner you turn there is a new variety of architecture. A delightful cruise down the main canal was perfect for viewing the sights built along the water. The Astronomical Clock is a main attraction for most tourists with its rotating golden hands and trumpeting sound at every hour. Our group stayed in private apartments just off the main square, which were a riot to celebrate our final night, and a group member's birthday. To set the evening off, a massive thunderstorm hit the city which finally cooled things off for the next part of the trip. It was hard to see everything is such a short amount of time, but I would highly recommend visiting this unique city.

Krakow

A suprisingly relaxing overnight train out of Berlin delivered me safely to Krakow, Poland. This city's dark past is reflected in the monuments surrounding the city center. In the afternoon of day one some of us took a bus to the Wielicyka Salt mine and explored 136 m below the ground. Having never seen Goderich's salt mine, it was interesting to see. Day two took most of our group to Auschwitz and Birkenau. While having a general understanding of the mass execution of the Jewish, Polish and even German people, it was very overwhelming to stand on the soil of the concentration/death camps. Birkenau in particular was so vast, with it's main gates (recognized in the film Schindler's List) and double rail tracks that run further than I could see. Old farmer's barns were used to house over 800 people at a time with the most horrifying hygenic conditions.
Visiting Krakow was an emotional experience, but away from the sadness, the historical city was perfect for a cold beer on the main square after sun down.

Berlin

I have hit the last city of my first tour, and so far the city is quite interesting. The subway system is complex but fairly easy to navigate. This afternoon I saw Checkpoint Charlie where the East and West Berlin were separated along with the Brandenburg gate and the Riechstag. Tomorrow I plan on doing a bike tour of the city to see a few more sights.

I am off for the closing dinner of our trip, and I look forward to a new group and more exciting cities on my way down to Venice.

TTFN

Eliz

Warsaw

Arriving late on Thursday evening, we had a limited time in Warsaw. A city that was completely flattened in WWII has been beautifully rebuilt and definitely fooled me. Friday we went to the Warsaw Uprising Museum where I had the opportunity to learn more about the history of the Polish people. On August 1, 1944 the Warsaw Uprising was started by 23 thousand local soldiers of the Home Armz of the Warsaw District under the leadership of Antoni Chrusciel, also known as Monter. Soldiers were not only men but young children, women, nuns and any other civilian aiming to fight for what they believed in.

While my time in Warsaw was very short, it was informative and visually stimulating. At times while exploring the rebuilt streets, I felt as though I was on a movie set, which is not such a bad thing. To top the final evening off I enjoyed a local beer and a plate of Perogies with Cracklings (little real bacon bits).

Onto Berlin!

Aukštaitija National Park

A much needed break was achieved off the beaten path in a great National Park which would resemble our Algonquin. With 128 lakes with connecting rivers and streams it was nice to get out of the city for a while. We took the train from Vilnius and met local tour guides who immediately took us to our homestay by van. They carried along kayaks which we would soon use to explore 2 large lakes and a slow moving stream. With little experience, my paddle partner and I were successful in reaching the ending point where there was a Miracle Tree. There we were asked to pick 2 stones and cast a wish at the pile of rocks beneath the tree, and to give the trunk a hug.

For dinner our hosts prepared a delcious meal of homemade soup, curried chicken and rice along with traditional cucumber and tomato salad. The next day we walked throughout the park to a honey museum where it talked about the hierarchy of bees and how honey has been gathered and prepared in the past. After our hike, it was sauna time and a quick dip in the lake. Nothing like Lake Huron, but similar to some of the inland lakes around Muskoka. Not wanting to touch bottom, I floated around with the two white swans and their gosslings.

For two nights I had the company of sharing a pull out couch with a travelling mate Julie...and I was more than ready to get to Warsaw

Vilnius, Lithuania

It has been a while since I have been able to catch up on my tour. While in Vilnius, the county of Lithuania was celebrating it's 1000th aniversary. There were plenty of celebrations including parades, traditional dancing and lots of drinking in the streets. A city of many churches and plenty more cobble stone to wabble over both day and night. We stayed in this great little bed & breakfast which was located right off the main drag...midnight fireworks filled the sky and I enjoyed traditional delights of stew and beer.

Klaipeda, Lithuania

This sleepy village of Klaipeda is a really quite neat. With the town being completely rebuilt after the bombings during WWII, it has a newer feel, but the industrial area is still made of clay bricks and metal sheet roofing. Despite the town being quiet, the port is very important for shippings product and supplies along the Baltic Sea. Today we explored the Curonian Spit, which is a separate "island" that you reach by ferry (very short distance). A local bus transported us to the furthest town, closest to the Russian border. This town is called Nida and is visited by many Russian and German people for vacations. We climed to the top of the massive sand dunes that look over the fishing and sailing village. The most popular treat is smoked fish (which I didn't gain the nerve to try...), but others said it was delicious. So far, it has been nice to rest in the comfortable homestead. To end my stay in Klaipeda, I ran into the Baltic Sea for a refreshing swim.

Riga, Latvia

It is a little big different coming south from Tallinn. The buildings seem to be embellished quite a bit, and the locals are big fans of monuments and park/garden spaces. We had a drink on the top floor of a modern building at its Sky Bar, and saw the best view of the city. I was quite fond of the Beer Maker street where makers would test the quality of their brew by pouring it over wooden benches. If it stuck, then it was quality enough to sell. I am off to Lithuania tomorrow to see the Curonian Spit. I have been looking forward to it since I booked the trip. Tonight we are visiting the Garlik House, to have some traditional dishes and a few Latvian beers.

Cheers!
e.

High Tech Bus

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Traveling between Tallinn, Estonia and Riga, Latvia by bus: with wi-fi...quite wild. The country side looks a lot like Manitoulin Island, or anywhere up near Algonquin park. Between dense forest there are plenty of fields, mostly hay crops. Just now, passing a huge plot of land with hundreds of bales rolled up like Huron County. Funny you travel partially around the world and it looks relatively the same as Canada. Just my cup of tea. Anyhow, this bus is super lux...with a coffee station, comfortable reclining seats and large lookout windows.

Toodaloo for now! e.

Helsinki & Tallinn

I arrived in Helsinki around 6 pm Sunday evening, and took a scenic tour to the Cumulus Hotel near the city center. After a delicious local meal of elk and red deer meat on creamy mashed potatoes, the group returned to the hotel to crash. In the morning, we took the tram (mini-sized in comparison to the Street Cars in Toronto) to the Ferry dock where we boarded to travel across to Tallinn, Estonia. Here, there is the old city, once protected by large rock walls with look out towers and below, the newer modern city with many high rises. The roads are mostly cobble stone and the buildings are topped with terracotta tiled roofs. Today we head out on a bike tour to cover some of the harder to reach areas of the city. The sun has been shinning every day so far, with temperatures reaching very high 20s into the 30s at peak hours. It is difficult to fall asleep as the daylight is almost 24 hours/day. So far so good, the Baltic States are treating me well.

Ta Ta For Now

Still In Canada

Trying to finish organizing pictures, clothes, and all that other junk you need for a trip abroad.  I have about 2 zillion lists and haven't checked off anything as of yet.  Eek.