Jun 2017 – Jan 2018

THE trip

A 200-day adventure by skip's retirement travel Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Share

Footprints
Photos

skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 21
- Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 11:17 AM
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 17 m
- Denmark Museum of Art 56.15394, 10.1993256°9’14” N 10°11’58” E
Aros Museum of Art
July 11, 2017 in Denmark ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Mostly contemporary art. At the top of the building is that large circular rainbow. Several pictures are from inside the rainbow. I found the changing light disorienting.
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 24
- Friday, July 14, 2017 at 11:42 AM
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Altitude: 123 m
- Lithuania University of Vilnius 54.67837, 25.2873854°40’42” N 25°17’15” E
Vilnius Old Town
July 14, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
A view over the old town. City hall. Lithuania was late later n conversion to Christianity. Signs of paganism still remain, such as the goddess of hunting an forests riding on a bear and sun symbols on crosses.Read more
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 24
- Friday, July 14, 2017 at 1:18 PM
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 112 m
- Lithuania University of Vilnius 54.68049, 25.2935654°40’50” N 25°17’37” E
Uzupis
July 14, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Another "independent" area, this time in Vilnius. Originally artists, bohemians, etc. It has it own constitution, translated into 20 languages so far. One example of local artist's work is Jesus backpacker. The angel on the orb is calling all to Uzipis and to it's type of freedom. They no longer have an army (it had 11 soldiers), and their air force was kites.Read more
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 24
- Friday, July 14, 2017 at 5:01 PM
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 134 m
- Lithuania Užupis 54.67452, 25.2897654°40’28” N 25°17’23” E
Vilnius churches
July 14, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Vilnius ius a city of churches. Most are Catholic/Uniate. And a couple orthodox. Here's a sampling.
Arija RestbergsHow are your feet hold up?
7/14/17Reply
TravelerBeautiul
7/15/17Reply
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 24
- Friday, July 14, 2017 at 5:01 PM
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 131 m
- Lithuania Užupis 54.67454, 25.2899454°40’28” N 25°17’24” E
Gates of Dawn
July 14, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Old gates into the city. First from the outside and then from the inside.
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 25
- Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 11:22 AM
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 110 m
- Lithuania Kernavės I Piliakalnis 54.88417, 24.8524954°53’3” N 24°51’9” E
Kernave
July 15, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
First capital of Lithuania and an archaeological site. 5 mounds/hill forts surrounded by a village. There is a view from the top of the highest mound and from down by the river contemplating no need for a stairmaster today. There is also the oldest paved road in Lithuania from the middle of the first millenium. The area was swamp and bog, so the logs laid down for crossing are preserved. Also the have built a reconstruction of the village from the 13th/14th century. Note the oven for n the house. The is new to me.Read more
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 26
- Sunday, July 16, 2017 at 11:44 AM
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 147 m
- Lithuania Trakų Piliakalnis 54.65153, 24.9333154°39’6” N 24°55’60” E
1
Trakai castle
July 16, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Anothger former capital of Lithuania, this time a restored castle. Seen from across the lake, the outer bailey, drawbridge and portculis to the keep over the space between the wall of the outer bailey and the keep, the courtyard of the keep and a formal dining room.Read more
Arija Restbergs You for invited for diner?
7/16/17Reply
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 27
- Monday, July 17, 2017 at 6:56 PM
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 92 m
- Lithuania Ratnyčia 54.02306, 23.9709254°1’23” N 23°58’15” E
2
Druskininkai
July 17, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Lithuania's most popular resort city due to natural mineral springs. Not much else, although the massage was worth it. View from the cable car over the river and approaching the city and a church.
Arija Restbergs Are you taking pictures of the stain glass windows they should be awesome
7/18/17Reply
skip's retirement travel Actually, i don't remember noticing
7/19/17Reply
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 28
- Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 1:45 PM
- 🌬 18 °C
- Altitude: 61 m
- Lithuania Pakalniškiai 54.87639, 24.0222254°52’35” N 24°1’20” E
Pazaislis Monastery near Kaunas
July 18, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ 🌬 18 °C
Spectacular octagonal church building with hexagonal nave (columns fill the extra). Lots of marble. 4 side chapels betweem columns plus narthex and chancel.
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 29
- Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 12:04 PM
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Altitude: 101 m
- Lithuania Kryžių Kalnas 56.01521, 23.417156°0’55” N 23°25’2” E
Hill of Crosses
July 19, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
This is just what it says--a hill covered with hundreds of thousands of crosses. This is a major pilgrimage site and political symbol of resistance during the Soviet era. I was given a cross of oilve wood from the Holy Land. I carried it with me, choosing to leave here. It is now at the foot of the hill, east side facing the sunrise. Not only are there crosses, there ius some pretty amazing woodwork, too.Read more
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 30
- Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 2:38 PM
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 24 m
- Lithuania Raganų Kalnas 55.53679, 21.1159155°32’12” N 21°6’57” E
Hill of Witches
July 20, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
A walk in the woods with extensive wood carvings. I'll post a few here.
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 30
- Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 3:00 PM
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 53 m
- Lithuania Raganų Kalnas 55.53601, 21.1107355°32’10” N 21°6’39” E
Curonian spit
July 20, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
This is essentially a barrier island much like a lot of the Jersey shore. It is around 100 miles long. Unlike New Jersey, it is mostly undeveloped, wooded and protected. You get a sense for the woodlands from the Hill of Witches pics. First a pic of the harbor in Nida. Then some pics from atop the dunes. In the first one, the spit of land in the background is in Russia. Then a view of Nida and a monument on top of the dunes with a close up of some of the runes.Read more
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 31
- Friday, July 21, 2017 at 9:43 AM
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: 18 m
- Lithuania Birutės Kalnas 55.90578, 21.0527555°54’21” N 21°3’10” E
Palongas botanic park
July 21, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Lovely, well manicured park. Includes the mansion with an amber museum and birantes dune, largest on the coast. It has a small chapel on top--the picture of the icon was taken through the locked door. The last pic is from the top of birantes to the Baltic Sea.Read more
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 31
- Friday, July 21, 2017 at 10:29 AM
- ☀️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- Lithuania Rąžė 55.91997, 21.0490455°55’12” N 21°2’57” E
Palongas Beach
July 21, 2017 in Lithuania ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Soft, white sand beach on the Baltic. The first 2 pics are taken from out on the pier. The others on a dune, about at the end of what you can see frtom the pier.
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 31
- Friday, July 21, 2017 at 4:42 PM
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Altitude: 6 m
- Latvia Zirgu Salas 56.51152, 21.0215756°30’41” N 21°1’18” E
Leipaja, Latvia
July 21, 2017 in Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Visiting new friends in Latvia, a look at the beach about a block from their home and the Ghost Tree, a sculpture on a park across the street from their home. Arija and Astrid were most gracious hosts showing me their town.
One last thing--sweiki means hello.Read more
Arija RestbergsSkip than k you for stopping in Liepaja and seeing my relatives. It brings back memories. Did you get pedinas?
7/22/17Reply
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 32
- Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 1:09 PM
- ☀️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 10 m
- Latvia Kolkasrags 57.75739, 22.5919757°45’27” N 22°35’31” E
Kolka point
July 22, 2017 in Latvia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Out at the tip of Latvia where the Baltic Sea meets the Bay of Riga. Pics from the treetops showing the Baltic one way and the Latvian forest the other. Pics up and down the beach taken from off shore, and those are my feet in the clear Baltic Sea water to prove I waded out to take those pictures.Read more
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 33
- Sunday, July 23, 2017 at 11:11 AM
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 20 m
- Latvia Pilsrundāle 56.41192, 24.0248756°24’43” N 24°1’30” E
1
Rundales Palace Gardens
July 23, 2017 in Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Spectacular formal garden. The roses were amazing--hundreds, if not thousands of varieties. The was a small amphitheater, and I did walk the labyrinth.
Arija Restbergs And you didn't get lost
7/23/17Reply
Arija RestbergsI missed this place when my mother and I went to Latvia. I see I missed some gorgeous roses and gardens. Paldies ( thanks)
7/23/17Reply
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 33
- Sunday, July 23, 2017 at 12:01 PM
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 29 m
- Latvia Beržtalis 56.42058, 24.02656°25’14” N 24°1’34” E
Rundales Palace
July 23, 2017 in Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Summer palace from the 18th century in rococo style. That's the main entrance followed by the main reception/throne room, the ball room and a few others. Way too many pictures to post here
Arija RestbergsI'm glad my house is not that big! I have enough problems cleaning this small one
7/24/17Reply
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 35
- Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at 12:13 PM
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 15 m
- Latvia Riga 56.94808, 24.1104456°56’53” N 24°6’38” E
Riga
July 25, 2017 in Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Of the cities I've visited so far, Riga is the most highly vegetated--trees, parks, gardens, etc. It creates a nice ambience. The center of town is the Freedom Monument, built in the 1930s during Latvia's first period of freedom, before the Soviet period. There are a couple pictures hete of the old town. Then a statue, a gift from Germany, 4 critters symbolizing the emergence of the people through the wall, or freedom from Soviet domination. The some 18th/19th century warehouses along the Daugava River that are being redone mostly as art spaces. And the Latvian Academy of Sciences, aka here as Stalin's birthday cake. The architecture is Stalinist.Read more
Arija RestbergsGlad you had a good time. I hope you have tried the rye and dark rye breads. To me they are the best!
7/25/17Reply
skip's retirement travelI most definittely did, and the pirags at Martinas!
7/26/17Reply
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 36
- Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 1:01 PM
- ☀️ 0 °C
- Altitude: 111 m
- Latvia Cēsis 57.31387, 25.2759857°18’50” N 25°16’34” E
Cesis medieval castle
July 26, 2017 in Latvia ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C
Another medieval castle, partially restored. Pics are of the castle and courtyard. The original altar from the 16th century was found and reset. The girl in the pic is standing on stairs at the small opening to a dungeon (taken from the the dungeon). And a view from the top of the castle.Read more
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 36
- Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 9:10 PM
- ☁️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 107 m
- Latvia Cēsis 57.31415, 25.2752257°18’51” N 25°16’31” E
St John's Church, Cesis
July 26, 2017 in Latvia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Begun in the 13th century and much of the orighinal is preserved. Pics show the sanctuary, the architecture, the structure an the "Alfreds Kalnins" organ
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 36
- Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 9:20 PM
- ☁️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 104 m
- Latvia Cēsis 57.31401, 25.2744757°18’50” N 25°16’28” E
Kindergarten
July 26, 2017 in Latvia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
This is the kindergarten in Cesis, known as the Mengela House. I just thought that this looked like a cool building for a kindergarten.
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 38
- Friday, July 28, 2017 at 8:13 AM
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 13 m
- Estonia Rapiküla 58.248355, 22.47699858°14’54” N 22°28’37” E
Kuressaare
July 28, 2017 in Estonia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
skip's retirement travelThere are way too many birthday greetings to respond to each one, and I am immensely grateful for them all. So I'll take advantage of the time difference (7 hours to the east coast) to thank you all while you sleep. It is now 8:00 AM in Estonia. I had a nice birthday dinner at La Perla, a restaurant owned by an expat from Boston. Thanks again for remembering me.
7/28/17Reply
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 40
- Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 2:15 PM
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 35 m
- Estonia Toompea 59.43755, 24.7444459°26’15” N 24°44’40” E
Tallinn old town hall square
July 30, 2017 in Estonia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Center is town since the 13th century. The large building with the tower is the city hall, dating from that time.
0 likes
skip's retirement travel THE trip
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Day 40
- Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 2:20 PM
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 33 m
- Estonia Toompea 59.4375, 24.7448259°26’15” N 24°44’41” E
Tallinn
July 30, 2017 in Estonia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
With apologies to my Latvian friends, I find Tallinn' s old town the most interesting of the 3 Baltic capitals. There seems to be more that is old and original. Here is a view over the old town, some of the 3 km of still existing city wall and towers and the freedom monument.Read more
0 likes