Thursday 14th September – Klaipeda, Lithuania
An early rise for me (7.30am) as I wanted to walk along the beach into town along with other commuters, walkers and even past school groups having lessons on the beach! Lucky things. I ‘promenaded’ very briefly as there was not much jetty at the river to walk along – saw the Amber Clock, lots of fishing boats getting ready to go out and a rock café blaring early morning ?Iron Maiden, yikes!
My little walking tour took me past the obligatory old churches, town halls, central markets and gardens but the feature was visiting the ‘Crafts(wo)men’ shop where I saw the worlds largest Amber necklace (124m) and watched loom weaving.
Bus to Klaipedia – bizarre exchange with bus driver who seemed very confused about change or else I was supposed to pay an extra fee – but when trying to figure out both of these scenarios he got more irate. Finally let me and my bag on.
Once in Klaipeda I found the one and only small hostel, next to the bus station but very clean and cosy. Next stop was the tourist info for a map, internet, money exchange and food. Visited a clock museum on the way home – interesting but mainly just looked at all the different types. Only five of us in the hostel so chatted to Belgium, Aus and two English fellows over dinner.
Friday 15th September – Klaipeda, Lithuania
The joy of independent travel setting your own timetable – decided no rush to get up so aimed for a sleep in then catch the 10.30 ferry across to the Curonian Spit.
Had the first sign that I was fast becoming a travel hermit by not wanting company on my outings - a close call trying to avoid having to spend the day with fellow hostelian who ‘bumped’ into me at the ferry line ie. Bee-lined and feigned a double-take surprised look when I HAD to say hello (he was practically standing on my toes). I started to plot my escape on the 10 minute ferry ride to Smiltyne on the Spit, especially when he began suggesting ‘we’ should do all day. On the other side, said a quick good-bye and jumped on the small tourist train down to the Dolfinarium as I was determined to see the Dolphin Show. Very rude of me I know – but I already was in good company (myself he he)
The Dolphin show was great! Such smart lovely animals. From here I walked through the surrounding pine forest to the other side of the small peninsula and along the beach for a while. To explore a little more of the area I caught a bus 30mins down the Spit to a small settlement/town called Juodkrante, had a short walk around and then some lunch. As a bus pulled up opposite, silly me forgot another reason I had ventured to the town, so I jumped on the bus back to Smiltyne and missed visiting the Witches Hill. Oh well! With a few hours before sunset I ventured back to the beach for a last Baltic swim – initially watching for a while as the sea was swarming with small red jelly fish and being a North Queenslander wasn’t reassured until I saw locals picking them up and throwing them at each other!! The day turned to dusk and became cooler as I watched the sunset, strolled back through the pine forest and caught the ferry back to Klaipeda.