retiredmartin

May 2023.

Two more Baltic posts, I reckon. I want to get the West Ham one out before their big night tomorrow.

On the last night in Kaunas I’d popped down to the confluence of the rivers Niemen and Neris. I’ve always wanted to use “confluence” in my blog.

The Old Town and the parks down to the rivers are gorgeous, and packed with playing fields, play areas and space for the scooters whizzing past.

So with a late flight back to Luton, which of course is every bit as beautiful as Kaunas, in its own way, we dumped the bags at the Great Western (pretty good) and walked the town.

Would have love to have seen Tanita for the first time in 35 years. Musically, the Baltics are stuck in 1983-88, which would probably suit 90% of UK visitors.

Lovely cobbly (?) streets on the way to the old fortress,

but the best views are from the viewpoint at the top of Aleksoto funicular, one of two (2) funiculars that were out of action while we were there.

10,000 steps in, we stopped in the old market square when the sight of someone’s fish soup drew us into Soul.

There’s a row of smart looking bistros facing the square with names like Michelle, Party, Piano Piano and Selfish, so Soul fitted in well.

Obviously the purpose of these trips is to experience new cultures and tastes, not just to drink 9.2% Baltic Porters, so I had my first ever beetroot juice.

“Ugh” said Mrs RM. It was OK, though, less bitter than her lemon juice. Expect beetroot juice bars in Ancoats later this year.

The fish soup appeared to have REAL fish in it.

Luckily they weren’t moving.

Only six hours to kill now. Let’s drink coffee and eat donuts on the boulevard.

I was too scared to take photos in the terrifyingly Soviet Spurgine, so here’s one I nicked off Google.

Yep, they were good.