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