the baltics

[beergal]

Heh everyone just thought i would give you an update on my mini break to riga and vinius, Flew into Riga on thursday morning after getting up at 4am and getting my flight at 7am. Ryanair actually managed to get us in to riga half an hour early. Me and my friend Racheal decided to get a taxi from the airport to the bus station to get our coach to vilnius. The taxi was 6lats (about 6 pounds) just a cautious warnign dont change too much money up before you leave passport control as you get a better rate on the other side!
We got the coach which was 14pounds return to vilnius and took 6 hours. It was quite a comfortable journey but immigration was really strict, they even brought sniffer dogs onto the coach. We got into vinius and found our hostel "BACKPACKERS HOSTEL" after about a 20 minute walk from the bus station because some of the street signs were not present and not many lithuanians speak english. The hostel is clean although there is limited bathrooms just 2 and when the hostel is busy the bathroom gets very messy. Went out for a meal and a few beers on the first night, had these cheese pancakes with tomato sauce, 2 beers, and a huge 12 inch pizza for 4 pounds! Guys i cant even explain how cheap vilnius is its amazing! The next day got up early and went for a breakfast mine was called the general, everything is fried here so i dont know why i was surprised to see 2 fried eggs, fried bacon, fried onions and fries on my plate! Also had a coffee and my bill came to 1 pound We had a good walk around vilnius in the snow (absolutely beautiful, cant wait to post my pics) and then went to the kgb museum. Before going to the kgb museum (there was a big queue to get in) we went for a coffee UGH!!!!!! the place was disgusting and very frightening...the toilets were down a corridor ijn the dark more scary was the coffee which im sure they hadnt diluted properly because there was a big sludge of coffee in the bottom of the cup!
In the kgb museum we payed 9 lats for an audio guide and enterence after some negotiation with the old women because she wouldnt let me have student discount even though we had isic cards! Anyway the kgb prison was horrid, definately worth a visit if you are into the effects of soviet oppression it was a very humbling experience and in some ways a more graphic relaisation than auscwitz. We then headed out for our evening meal in this restaurant where they make the waitresses dress up in gnome costumes, had some more cheese for starters (they love cheese here) and then steak kebabs with rice and vegetables (fried!) also had another 2 beers and this come to 8 pounds, the meal was amazing! Went out for more drinks (the beer is so strong here) and then we went back to the hostel to get ready. We got a bottle of stolyichana vodka for 3 pounds! we then went to this club called connect which played r n b music (ok) the dj who was a woman was brilliant and the dj's kept taking photos off of me! god knows why but it might have had something to do with the fact that i wanted to dance on the stage and then the next thing i knew 2 bouncers were heading towards me...it also might have been due to the fact i thought i was in vogue and had shorts on with heels and tights ha ha...
ok well i gotta go and get some more beers we are going to see the christmas lights being switched on and we have to get the coach back to riga tomorrow!
Hope everyone is well,
Bri!

PS i even have a photo of tpunk in the snow...photo to follow shortly

[U2fan]

Very cool! Sounds like things are going well. What an interesting and pretty different place to read an update about!

[space virgin]

Sounds like a great/interesting time, Bri!! Can't wait to see the pics.

[beergal]

just want to add as an update me and my friend got mugged on our way home for our bread rolls by a homeless russian man who lives at the bus station! Its a funny story but a sad one to, he didnt want our money just food

[kingcrazylegs]

^ the mugging doesn't sound so bad if he just wanted food - glad you are ok.

Sounds like a great trip

[foofiter]

Sounds like a great time Bri! I want to see pics as well. You will have to share more stories with me in Budapest! I got your messages as well I was without internet while on thanksgiving vacation with my family back home.

Foo

[weirdbeard]

Sounds awesome Bri!!! Hope your havin' a great time there! Sorry about the mugging but I guess it could have been worse. Let's see those new pics soon taken with your fancy new camera!

[chelseafc05]

soundin good.. how long you in europe for?

[beergal]

well i live in europe so i guess i will be here till i die...

patrick havent taken the new camera because the flash memory stick didnt come in time boo hoo will have to get practising tho as will be leaving for budapest on the 12th dec!

foo, you must be getting excited to leave now...hope you have everything packed. Make sure you have hat, gloves and scarf its freezing!

[4_d]

Hello
im brileys friend rachael, we are currently in lithuania.
Briley encouraged me to join because i enjoy the whole travel experience.
I was getting jealous because of the t-punk badge on her bag and her writing travelpunk everywhere in the snow. so i thought i would join your community ha ha

[worldwidemike]

Welcome to Tpunk, 4-d!

Sounds like you two are having a great time in the Baltics. It snowed when I was there, too....what IS it with these northern countries?

Seriously, glad to hear you're all right after the mugging...and can't wait to see your pics and hear the rest of the stories....

worldwidemike

[beergal]

heh everyone just got back to riga snowing here aswell.

As soon as we entered they gave us free beer!!!!!!!

Only problem is they charged triple to my card for the accommodation before i could check the price the woman came and got me and had done a refund and changed the price, excellent hospitality here guys will definately be putting this hostel in for recommendation!

me and rach are off to shoot AK47's tomorrow

[bookofkels]

^ and you have the cheek to call ME crazy!!... Good to hear your having so much fun and BEER!!, sorry to hear about the mugging but if all he wanted was the food then i can see how it was sad.

And why are you going to shoot AK47's, we haven behaved that badly on tpunk that you need to arm yourself!


Looking forward to seeing pics
Kel

[weirdbeard]

OMG...Bri shooting the Ak's. That is too much. You've got to takes those pics. Pleeeease. Oh, and Welcome 4-d!!! Bri is the girl to travel with! have fun you two.

[4_d]

we cudnt go shooting because of the rain today which also washed all the snow away which is a bit lame! was too hung over today anway really wud have been a health hazard! we were well drunk and spend like no money ha ha
anyway will try the shooting tomorro perhaps but the forecast is rain for the next few days, we will see!