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Keith EckersallKeith Eckersall
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traveled in 15 countries Read more Poulton-le-Fylde, United Kingdom
  • A Holiday Where? ........ Why?
    Day 3

    Old Buildings of Kaunas

    October 17, 2023 in Lithuania ⋅ 🌬 12 °C

    Kaunas Castle is one of the oldest Stone Castles in Lithuania. Unique for its double walls and the surrounding tunnel, many events and legends of Lithuanian history are attributed to it. Today, the castle is home to various temporary and permanent programmes all year round.
    Just opposite the castle, St. George the Martyr Church is also worth a visit, for it is an important landmark of Roman Catholicism and has had many uses and owners during its 550-year history.
    The church was heavily damaged by fire in 1603, as well as by the Moscow army during the war with Moscow in 1656 and 1659.
    In 1812, the French army led by Napoleon converted the church into a flour warehouse. Last major repairs were carried out here in 1936. The church was used as a warehouse once again after World War II. P. Mažylis Medical School was established here during the Soviet period.
    In 2005, the church which was already in very poor condition was given back to the monks. The brick monastery building built in the 16th century next to the church preserved many of its Gothic elements.
    Reconstruction works of both the church and the monastery began in July of 2009.
    Walking back along the Laisvės Alėja to meet the girls for an early evening meal at Nefiskalinis Kvitas; yes, the place we ate at last night and yes, the place I did say we would definitely return to, I stopped to look at the exterior of what to me is a typical “cold war” Soviet building which was in fact the Central Post Office and built in the 1930’s, and still being used for that same purpose today. One interesting observation and one I have no answer to is, why there are chairs on the steps???    Read more

  • A Holiday Where? ........ Why?
    Day 3

    The Longest Day......

    October 17, 2023 in Lithuania ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Tuesday was the longest day of our trip to Lithuania.
    To be more precise, Tuesday was actually 13 days long as I went to visit and walk across the longest bridge in the world.
    In order to cross the Vytautas* The Great Bridge (to give it its formal name) from one bank of the Nemunas to the other took 13 days, because Kaunas belonged to the Russian Empire and Aleksotas to the Prussian kingdom up to 1807. The different sides of the river had different calendars, which included a 13-day difference. During World War II, the bridge was blown up twice, only to be reborn in 1948 (architect Levas Kazarinskis); the bridge retraction mechanism is still of use today. Having crossed the Nemunas, you can try the funicular and climb to the Aleksotas area where you will see a breathtaking panorama of Kaunas.
    Once across the river, you can embark on a funicular journey, which is a unique experience in Kaunas, as this is the only city in the Baltic states where this means of transport is available. The Aleksotas Funicular; built in 1934, is much sought for the view you'll get (of the Old Town) once you reach the hill of the same name and stand on the observation platform.
    After walking down the steps back to the bridge, I made my way across the bridge back into Kaunas and walked towards the castle 🏰

    Vytautas*, also known as Vytautas the Great from the late 14th century onwards, was a ruler of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He was also the prince of Grodno, prince of Lutsk, and the postulated king of the Hussites.    Read more

  • A Holiday Where? ........ Why?
    Day 2

    Later that Monday .....

    October 16, 2023 in Lithuania ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Very near Town Hall Square is a rather bland looking building which is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, built entirely of red brick with features of both Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. Built in the 15th century, Vytautas the Great Church has seen a varied history as a Catholic church, storage space for ammunition by Napoleon’s army, and Orthodox church, and again as a Catholic church. Situated right next to the Nemunas River, Vytautas the Great Church has been flooded several times throughout history, thus it has seen numerous reconstructions with the largest renovations occurring in the 1930s and late 1970s. The largest Gothic structure in Lithuania, and the country’s only Gothic church with a basilica floor-plan as opposed to the usual cross-shaped design. Its one-of-a-kind interior, with its nine altars, is also breath-taking quite a contrast from its easily unnoticeable outside appearance.
    From Town Hall Square we walked around the corner to Kaunas Castle standing close to where the Nemunas and Neris rivers, converge this impressive brick castle was built in the 14th century at the beginning of the Teutonic attacks.
    Looking towards the Castle is the Monument to Vytis, a freedom warrior sculpture, with the state symbol in the coat of arms of Lithuania, knight riding a horse with a sword and shield.
    Walking back towards the hotel along the Laisves Aleja (which as you may have now gathered is the main walkway from one end of Kaunas through to the other end) we came across a very nice bar / café / restaurant called Paslėpti receptai where we had an enjoyable couple of hours drinking wine, gin and local beer whilst deciding on what to eat. Lovely food that included drinks and meals all for £53 for the 3 of us. We will definitely return there.    Read more

  • A Holiday Where? ........ Why?
    Day 2

    Midday and Still Walking 🚶‍♂🚶‍♀️ 🚶‍♀️

    October 16, 2023 in Lithuania ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Turning Left at the City Fountain, we walked down to a rather impressive looking bridge 🌁 named the Simonas Daukantas Bridge built 1988, and connecting Nemunas island and downtown Kaunas, the length of the bridge is 151 meters. Built in 1988, representing the main tendencies of late modernism - the luxury and monumentalism. The supporting arch with the columns of Gediminas is one of the earliest symbols of Lithuania and its historical coats of arms. This symbol of statehood was incorporated during the building of the bridge and became public while still a couple of years ahead to the Independence of Lithuania in 1990. On the 4th of July in 1996, celebrating the National day, a Lithuanian aerobatic pilot Jurgis Kairys was the first in the world to legally fly under a pedestrian bridge (the gap between the constructions of Simonas Daukantas bridge and the river being only 7 meters). In 2000, Kairys performed an inverted flight under the same bridge, nicknamed the Ultra flight.
    Back on the Laisvės Alėja, and leaving the tree lined boulevard behind, we walked into the much narrower old town and stopped for a delicious cup of coffee. Despite being sat in the midday sunshine, I got bored, leaving the girls chatting, I walked around the corner and into the grounds of an Historical Palace a Neo-baroque building in the Old Town of Kaunas that served as the Presidential Palace between 1919 and 1940, this building is one of the most important locations of Lithuanian history. Once the home of presidents like A. Smetona, K. Grinius and A. Stulginskis
    Further on in the Town Hall, Square is the Church of St. Francis Xavier built by the Jesuits and who opened their first residence in Kaunas in 1642 and established a chapel in the House of Perkūnas in 1643. The construction of the church started in 1666 and was completed in 1720. The church was consecrated in 1722. The Tsarist Russian government gave the church to the Orthodox church for their use in 1824. The church was again assigned to the Jesuits only in 1924. After Lithuania was occupied by Soviet Union the St. Francis Xavier church was turned into a technical school, and the interior of the church was used as a sports hall. The church was returned again to the Jesuits in 1989, and renovation of the church took place in 1992.
    Also adjoining the Square is the Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity, a late Renaissance period (with Gothic features), with a hall style, outbuildings, and a tower on the side. Its high roof and apse have small towers. The interior has three naves separated by pillars. The vaults are stellar and cross-shaped. There are a total of 9 altars.    Read more

  • A Holiday Where? ........ Why?
    Day 2

    Monday Morning Stroll 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️

    October 16, 2023 in Lithuania ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania, located in the central part of the country, where rivers Nemunas and Neris meet. Vilnius, the capital, is some 100 km away. Borders with Poland and Russia (Kaliningrad Region) are not too far away either.
    After a very nice but leisurely breakfast, the three of us set out to find our bearings🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️and see what Kaunas has to offer. It didn't take us long after turning right out of the hotel, right at the next main road, and then right again to walk straight up to the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, which is the building we can see from our hotel room. Keeping watch on the Cathedral is Man; a modern sculpture, symbolizing freedom and liberation. Leading up to the square is the Laisvės Alėja (literally Liberty Boulevard or Liberty Avenue), which is a prominent pedestrian street in the city of Kaunas. It stretches between the St. Michael the Archangel's Byzantine-style church to the Central Post Office and Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum around the Kaunas Old Town, the oldest section of Kaunas. For a long time, it was the main commercial district of Kaunas. Stretching for 1.6 kilometres (1 mile), Laisvės Alėja is the longest pedestrian street in Eastern Europe. Motor vehicles can not travel along Laisvės Alėja, but they can cross it at intersections with other streets where motor traffic is permitted. The boulevard is separated into two walkways by a median strip lined with linden trees. A short walk down is the City Fountain. One of the main highlights of Kaunas was reborn just a few months ago. The water source installed 40 years ago, when the street was converted to a pedestrian boulevard, still fascinates passers-by and, according to the builders, is currently one of the most modern fountains in Lithuania, with a cooling “fog” effect and music system all controlled remotely. Try as I might, every time I tried to film the fountain in all its glory, it stopped. It was almost if someone was watching!!    Read more

  • A Holiday Where? ........ Why?
    Day 1

    A Friend in Need....

    October 15, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Background:
    Jayne came home from a catch-up with her friend Pat with a question............. "Pat has asked me to go to Lithuania with her to look after her after she has an an operation, and she can't ask anyone else." "Oh!", I said, "And are you going to go?"I've never been on a plane without you," came Jayne's response, "So you will have to come with me!" "OH!!!!" was my response.
    After clarifying exactly which city in Lithuania Pat was going to, my immediate reaction was to Google - Is Kaunas Lithuania worth visiting?
    Nice old buildings, good restaurants. It's definitely worth visiting and having a nice stroll. Also, it is very nice to go for a walk along the river and visit an Old Castle and St. George church. Doesn't sound too bad for a couple of days away in the summer ........ but we were going for seven days mid-October!

    So after a lazy Sunday morning, our taxi 🚖arrived to take us to the John Lennon Airport in Liverpool, picking up Pat en-route. The drive made a pleasant change from travelling to Manchester Airport, and with far fewer passengers travelling from here, we were quickly checked in through passport control and security.
    Our Ryanair flight took off 🛫 on time with just a handful of Brits on board the full flight landing just over 3 hours later in Lithuania's 🇱🇹 2nd city Kaunas. After clearing Immigration we quickly collected our bags and met the taxi 🚕 provided by the clinic to take us the 20-minute drive from the airport to the Radisson Hotel on the outskirts of Kaunas Old Town.
    After checking in and making our way to our home for the next 7 days, I checked the view from our bedroom window and was pleasantly surprised to see a "Cathedral" type building lit up. At least we had a decent landmark for finding our way back to the hotel if nothing else!!    Read more

  • To Cruise or Not to Cruise ...
    Day 5

    Do we stay or do we go?

    September 29, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    During the night 🌃, our phones 📞 pinged multiple times, and the news we had been dreading Patti had left the boat and was on the way to the hospital. But the patient was Greg, who had been taken ill and rushed to the hospital 🏥 So, the trip started with a dilemma and is now ending with a dilemma. Greg had been admitted in hospital, Patti was with him, and the Viking ship 🚢 had departed for Kinderdiyk with the rest of the Viking Cruisers and all of Greg & Patti's belongings. The dilemma we had was do we cancel our flight home and stay in Amsterdam to support Patti. Do we fly home and then book return flights back to Amsterdam or does Jayne stay and I fly home check on my mum and fly back to Amsterdam later with fresh clothes etc.? After much discussion and soul searching it was decided we would both fly home and then fly back if Patti needed us. Fortunately, she didn't, and Greg was discharged a couple of days later. A fast train 🚆 later, and they caught up with the boat in Cologne, Germany 🇩🇪. For us we checked out of the hotel at 7:00 am caught the airport shuttle bus and went swiftly through passport control but not without a questioning look about leaving, arriving and leaving again all within 20 hours!!!
    Fortunately, a working aircraft was there, and as we taxied out; I had my final reminder of my time 40 years ago by passing the hangar that I worked on the Boeing 747's in 🛫.    Read more

  • To Cruise or Not to Cruise ...
    Day 4

    Check Out to Check In

    September 28, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    After a group breakfast, it was time to check out of the hotel; knowing there would be no more girls in the windows of Amsterdam. We made our farewells and a promise that we would all meet up again somewhere in the not to distant future. Jayne and I headed off to the airport 🚕 whilst the Viking Cruisers head off to the Viking ship 🚢 and off down the River Rhine through Germany 🇩🇪 to Switzerland 🇨🇭 Arriving in good time at the airport we queued to check in our bagand then joined the slow and time consuming queue through passport control and security. After a drink and a bite to eat, we made our way to the departure gate where our aircraft ✈️ was waiting to take us home.
    Some 5 hours after checking in for our flight home, we had cleared passport control, claimed our luggage 🧳, and after a short taxi ride, we were checking in to our hotel (a poxy Moxy) .......... at Schipol Airport. Our aeroplane wasn't going anywhere, and so Easy Jet put us up in a hotel for the night with refreshment all free of charge. Our hotel was very basic, thankfully it was for only one night and the room did start to look a little better as we started decorating it by hanging our clothes up on the metal framework attached to the wall. We also discovered that Easy Jet had my age wrong as our evening meal was a pizza 🍕 followed by ice cream 🍦 accompanied by a soft drink 🧃. I am 66, not 6, I argued!!!    Read more

  • To Cruise or Not to Cruise ...
    Day 3

    Dinner Reservation for 10, 8, 6.........

    September 27, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Walking 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️back to the hotel, you quickly become accustomed to looking out for the odd bike 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️!! Before going into the hotel, we stopped off at the Italian Restaurant Impero Romano to book a table for us all to eat dinner in that night. Not knowing that the others had an evening canal cruise booked with dinner. So from a booking for 10 people, the 4 of us had plenty of room at the table. After dinner, Greg and Patti invited us back up to their hotel suite in the clock tower at the hotel where they had prepared a belated birthday party 🥳 🍾🍷🍷🥂 for me, including a present 🎁 and card.Read more

  • To Cruise or Not to Cruise ...
    Day 3

    Doing the Tourist Bit.......

    September 27, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    After breakfast 🍳🥐🧀 Jayne & I walked 🚶‍♂️ 🚶‍♀️towards the old town only this time via the Albert Cuyp Market, which was a first for me, having never ventured into the De Pijp area of Amsterdam. Originating in 1905 and with 260 stalls, this market is regarded as the biggest in Europe and is open 6 days a week from 09:30 through to 17:00. The market provides a real Amsterdam atmosphere and is popular with locals, students, and tourists selling fruit 🍉, veg🫑, cheese 🧀, accessories, clothes, flowers 💐 and fabrics.
    Leaving the market, we headed for the oldest part of Amsterdam, which also included the famous red 🚦light district and the only remaining gate of the now disappeared wall around the old town. The Waag or weigh house in English is a 15th-century building that following the removal of the walls housed the weighing scales for the local market, Nieuwmarkt, that surrounded it. After a refreshing drink 🍺 in the sunshine once again watching the world go by we walked the few hundred yards to Dam Square, pausing on Damrak looking at the reflections from the old buildings in the canal where the canal cruising boats were moored and overlooked by the Central Railway station. Dam Square was created in the 13th century when a dam was built around the river Amstel to prevent the Zuiderzee sea from flooding the city. During the sixties, the square was renowned for its Dam Square hippies. These days, it is one of the main tourist sights where entertainment and pigeons abound. On the south side of Dam Square stands the controversially phallic National Memorial statue, built in the memory of Dutch soldiers and members of the resistance who died in World War 2. Unveiled in 1956, the monument stores soil from all of Netherlands' provinces as well as from the Dutch East Indies.    Read more

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