This is how bikes can be transported in PKP (Polish ralway company). The coach is constructed in such a fancy way that you can keep eye on the equipment during whole journey.
Almost twelve hours on the JAĆWING fast (?) train. It is second longest train connection in Poland. Only Swinoujście - Przemyśl is longer (17 hours).
On the way to Lithuania border.
If it was not written we would not know it is the border (near Berżniki) . There was only forest all around. (...and where the hell are Berżniki!?)
We were astonished at the serenity of this place as well as low density of population.
First big village on the way. Necessarily with wooden yellow house being the main item of Lithuanian rural architecture.
Emilia Plater - the lady colonel who tried to turn Russians out from Dyneburg (today's Latvia) during November uprising in 1830. The great hero for Poles and Lithuanians. She is burried in old cementary a few hundred meters down the road.
Only one house in the street is not yellow.
A fancy yellow jacket was necessary as we had to use busy road to Druskininkai. Drivers were rather confused if we are not the police and were surprisingly obedient to law of the road.
A pond in the centre of Druskininkai.
The Lithuanians are much concerned about flowers in urban areas. Not only in touristic centre like Druskininkai.
Catholic church of Virgin Mary.
Nemunas.
Spa in Druskininkai.
The water is a little bit too salty for drinking.
Orthodox church situated in the middle of small roundabout.
As with Emilia Plater Kościuszko is Polish for Poles and Lithuanian for Lithuanians.
Liskiava is a very small village (ca. 30 inhabitants) nearby Druskieninkai. President Kwaśniewski and President Adamkus met here once. Formerly it was a monastery for disobedient priests but they were later moved to another place - Świętokrzykie Mountains in Poland. Now it is a place of weddings etc.
Oto typowa wizytówka małego miasteczka. Nie reklamy mechaników, wytwórców wędlin czy sprężarek, ale właśnie przeurocze rzeźby powitalne.
One out of hundreds of figures of Lenin, Stalin, Dzierżyński gathered in Grutas Parkas close to Druskieninkai. But what is actually the point?
6km straight ahead... no cars, no people. Just we, forest and the road.
Train station in Marcinkonys
Train to Vilnius.
Close to the Vilnius station we met first and only bikers with bags travelling in Lithuania.
"Ir As Tave" which means "I love you" in Lithuanian... on the other bank of the river (not visible here) "I love you too..." is written
The vehicle definately creating the atmosphere in the capital of Lithuania. It also raised a question if there are any of these in any town in Poland.
Yeees!!!! Lithuania won against Russia!!! We supported Lithuanian fans on one of the main squares close to Pilies Gatve (central pedestrian street within the Old Town). With Sveturys beer in a hand of course.
"Ostra brama"
Virgin Mary.
Rossa cementary in Vilnius. Breath-taking.
In front of the Presidential Palace in Vilnus.
Geographical centre of Europe (as measured by French scientists).
Traku Pilis = Zamek w Trokach = Castle in Trakai. A picture taken by our Lithuanian friend.
Swimming in the moonlight.
16km behind us and 4km to go. However only to the first crossroad and not to the destination point...
What can be typical building in a village? Guess what: yellow house:).
Finally entering second health resort in Lithuania. We made 80km but the reward was not satisfactory. First resort -Druskieninkai-is definately more appealing.
Even if there is no bridge the solution can be found. Here we are crossing Nemunas on a small ferry in Birstonas.
Another time, a sign for low density of population. There were only 4 people in the camping except for us.
Panoramic view of Vilnius from the hill
