Oswiecim - Wieliczka

Hey all! I survived five days without computer! Reason - I'm changing job. Results: trying not to give any free minute to Errrrr, wine, reading books (!!!), lots of walking and watching the people in the streets. But today I'm finally ready to tell the story about two crazy persons who decided to rent a car and to drive from Warsaw to Oswiecim, Krakow and Wieliczka. Polish roads are great (but you know that I guess) :)


Couple of more fun road signs: first one - what a beautiful little girl, and upper sign - adults catching kids.. smells like law breaking :) second one - flying cars!!!

So, everything started with lots of nonsenses when trying to rent a car. Thanks to consultants of rental company and SEB bank. Seems like both sides like to say - everything's OK! Don't worry, be happy - we will tell you whatever you want to hear (sadily this doesn't mean it is true). Anyways, somehow we managed to reach Oswiecim in about 5 hours (sounds fun when you know that it is only 350km, but once again - polish roads...). Oswiecim - this should be heard by one scary camp, where more than million people were killed. Auschwitz - does this say something.. Back to history coursebook if not.. We hadn't much time and it even wasn't enough to see all museum at first camp.. Second one which was opened when war reached it's peak, is much much bigger.. If you're planning to go there, take at least 4 hours for this. If you're interested in facts and details - take at least 5h..





Next stop was spending night in Krakow. I must admit that this city is simply beautiful!!! Once again, it wasn't very good idea to leave so less time for this city. Can't say much about it - most of the time there I was thinking of sleeping :)

And finally - Wieliczka! That's the most impressive place for me on this trip! (ok, Auschwitz was incredible, but the atmosphere there is just way to heavy..) And here you have opportunity to get 130 meters under the ground! Wielizcka salt mine - one of biggest salt mines in Europe and if I remember correctly once it was about half of all Polish economy. There is cathedral under ground, there are lots of chambers, there is even restaurant and sanatory! Worth to visit! Check following pictures - can you imagine that all those chambers are "handmade"? Do you want unusual weddings? Do it 110 meters under the ground - as someone told me it's quite popular in Poland :) And now I want to see more underground miracles! Any suggestions?

Getting down - 60 meters (starting point)

Kilometers of stairs like this and you get to cathdral, located about 110 meters under the ground - perfect!

Final word - Stockholm is awaiting now for New Years celebrations. I'm also back to Lithuania, and I guess I'll stay here for longer this time. Now I'm also ready for exploring around Lithuania - suggestions, ideas and trip mates are always welcome!

Drrrrrrrrrrrinnn!!!!

Weekend in Finland

OK guys, this may be the begining of new era :) Let's call it "Lukas and Ernesta conquer the world!". As sometimes you just meet someone who encourages all your craziest ideas, all your wishes and dreams. And instead of only your own ideas growing bigger, you get additional perfect ones... And also, that someone joins you in this 'taking over everything in the universe' deal :)

From conquer of the world to...

What does it mean 'taking over the world'? Imagine two optimists leaving a mark of themselves when exploring the world! In a draft of 'to-do' list there are 3-4 countries to visit till the summer.. And for summer time there will be something more big.. I promise ;)

Conquerors of the world!

Everything started with canoeing in Merkys, Neris, going to Menuo Juodaragis, visiting Klaipeda, Kaunas, Medininkai, Kedainiai, Zelva, having crazy parties and keeping smiling everyday.. coming to Warsaw.. And finally visiting Finland. All this in a bit more than two months, with me being more on duty journeys than in Lithuania! I like that!

Helsinki: beauty of the cathedral and beauty of the toilet :)

Anyway, back to business. The last trip for the moment: three days in Finland. All this journey was last minute idea. Begining with desicion to go there (3 minutes), finding and buying tickets (5 minutes), getting hotel (10 minutes). All the rest - spontaneous ideas, that came up when being in Helsinki already :)

View of Helsinki from the up and some old corner.

* take hotel away from the city center - you pay less, you get better service and opportunity to get into public transport easily;
* at least Helsinki's area public transport is just great, as I remmeber we had never to wait more than 10 minutes for our bus, tram or metro;

Around the Porvoo..

* there is a pub with windows in toilet! Have you ever pissed on all the city? :D (no offence, that was interesting!)
* two hours of sleeping ended up with desicion to forget about the Helsinki's night life :)

* Porvoo - second oldest town in Finland. It's only ~50km from Helsinki. So, why not to go there?
* Try checking out at least some of Scandinavian design shops. There is one of most amazing small shops (Porvoo again).
* Getting to Porvoo try visiting some old restaurant. Maybe it's because of all the atmosphere which keeps around in last months, plus Finnish mood added, but that is just superb place to relax after a day walking around.

Warsaw

As I mentioned before, finally I managed to get out of the home-work-pub-home route and saw some more of Warsaw. And it really has what to show. As mainly all this was done just by walking and photoing, I guess pictures are enough to get the view.