Savoring Baltic Breeze- Vilnius- Lithuania

Baltics is a region in Europe that is overlooked by most of them as a travel destination. Lithuania is a country you don't read about much in blogs and travel sites. Well, as a curious traveler, I'd love to explore every inch of this planet.

Geography: 

Vilnius is capital of Lithuania, Baltic country brushing borders of Latvia, Belarus, Russia and Poland.

Language:

Lithuanian, English

Currency:

Euro

Getting There:

Since its on far east side of Europe, even though there are buses from different cities, flights would be the best option.

What's Famous here:

Gediminas Castle, St. Annes church, Old town, Trakai island Castle, Gate of Dawn.

My Story:

I came out of the airport, drizzles of rain had started to decorate the city. As I entered the city of Vilnius, it felt more like I was put back to medieval ages.

I was out in the streets to explore as soon as I finished my lunch. The fun and excitement in exploring a new and an unknown place is indescribable. 

The fall colors were still very evident and it had sprinkled itself all over the city.
The best thing about Vilnius is that, it is small which means its incredibly walk-able.

What's really inconspicuous about Vilnius is that, its very honest in what its giving to us. It still retains its true vibe, its nature of innocence.
The history of Lithuania is filled with grit, belief, oppression and faith. It has been slaughtered during and after world war. Its stubbornness to stay what it was, is what makes it beautiful.
Crossing beautiful streets, I reached Gate of Dawn. It is the last Gate in defense wall standing for Vilnius. Walk through the arch in the gate realizing that you have passed through something that is standing for many centuries.

Gate of Dawn

Gate of Dawn

The atmosphere and environment of old town really meets the meaning of the name given to it. There are plenty of old churches in this area and I visited few. You really feel like you are in 1700's when you are walking in the streets here.

Old Town

Old Town

Old Town

Hopping street after street I reached the Bell tower and Vilnius Cathedral. The mark of Soviet is so very visible even today all over the town.
I like to explore and travel raw. Visiting famous landmarks is not the only aim when I reach a place. I like to go street after street, talk to locals, go to tiny cafes and restaurants, shop in small shops, try some local food, get a true sense and attitude of the place. I did the same and Vilnius rewarded me nicely.

Delicious dinner

Early in the morning next day, I had a bus to Trakai which is about 50 mins away from Vilnius. Many would have overlooked this wonderful place even though they have visited Vilnius.
A small bus brought me to this very scarcely populated place. From the bus station the Medieval castle is about 6 miles. I began to walk as lakes on either side of me gave company.

On the way to Castle

On the way to Castle

It was end of fall, the entire village was showered with leaves. Colorful images, smell of rain, and loud silence joining me to visit the island castle. It looked more like a Disney castle, placed perfectly in a small island surrounded by Galve lake.

Medieval Castle

Medieval Castle

I spent some time inside the castle paying attention to its architecture and history. Later, a lazy walk around the castle and lovely time in the shops entertaining with some local items and souvenirs kept me excited.

Around Castle

Inside Castle

Inside Castle

After spending half a day in Trakai I came back to Vilnius to visit Uzupis and St. Annes church.
Uzupis is an interesting neighborhood in Vilnius claimed to be a republic of its own formed by group of artists. Well, the constitution has some crazy rules and the formation day is celebrated on April fools day.

Uzupis Constitution

Uzupis Constitution listed on the wall

St.Annes Church is one of its kind located close to Uzupis. 

St. Annes Church

Rain poured on that afternoon, so I decided to spend some time indoors shopping and looking for unique stuff native to the land.

Great coffee bars, plenty of history, oozing natural beauty, street art, medieval neighborhoods and good food is definitely a perfect combination for trip.
The farther we go to explore the pureness and uniqueness of a land, the more we gain in exploring ourselves and the world.
The satisfaction of a sleep can be realized only after we wake up, likewise the richness of travel can be realized very very slowly when culture and philosophy of various lands has become a part of you enriching and enlightening you to view the world with a much better vision.

Tips:

• Best time to visit the place is fro May to October.
• Uzupis can stamp your passport with their visa on your request.
• Find a Hostel/Hotel close to old town.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

The Charm of Chamonix!!

Inside a Swizz train coach, I occupy a window seat, through the pane my eyes graze over alps while images of Zermatt in the past occupying much of present in my mind. The affair with Alps continues from Zermatt to Chamonix (pronounced as Sha-mo-nee).

Geography: Chamonix is placed beautifully in the middle of french alps close to swizz border.

Language: French, English

Currency: Euro

Getting There: It's 2 hours from Geneva by bus. Mont Blanc express train is from Martigny in Swizz. It's about 2 hours fro another beautiful French town Annecy.

What's famous here: Mont Blanc, Aiguille Du Midi, Montenvers

My Story:
The 2 hour ride from Geneva to Chamonix din't seem like what clock showed. Along with me, some students from England were asking curious questions to a lady who's home is Chamonix. She works in Geneva and she visits Chamonix every week, who else is better to guide us about French alps.
she has descended Aiguille Du Midi 45 times. I have mentioned before that I have this disease of wanting to climb every mountain I see. I got inevitably inspired by her to trek Aiguille Du Midi. A big thanks to her.

At night 10 pm when I got down from the bus and looked around, I was stunned to see panorama of mountains circled around me. The ice caped peaks were still glowing in the dark. I had goosebumps within minutes of lading in Chamonix. Never before I have been beautifully intimidated by mountains as here.
I snuggled down into my bed in an old lovely Chalet hostel.

Sun rays were fighting its way to touch earth in the early morning fog as I sipped hot coffee sighting snow caped mountains from the dine table in hostel. The climate seemed perfect for my intentions.

However huge a mountain is when you view it from a distance your chin doesn't go up, but here in Chamonix you have to lift your chin up to check out the massif. I'm trying to shape your imagination to the best extent in saying that the mountains are very close to us and the vertical ascend is pretty steep.

My Hostel in Chamonix

Village of Chamonix

Village of Chamonix

Village of Chamonix

After a chat with the hostel person asking for suggestions and things to do, tips and tricks of the place, i was all set to ascend the alps (again).

On the way to Cable car station

I reached the station of cable cars that can take me to Aiguille Du Midi. These are one of the highest cable car systems operating in world. We need to take 2 cables cars to reach the top. The first one covers 80% of distance and the second one, designed to just ascend very steeply in the final 20% of the climb.
Take a moment to realize that you are in one of the highest places on planet Earth.

Aiguille Du Midi

Unbelievable Scene 

You get a clear view of Mont Blanc from Aiguille Du Midi which is just right opposite to you.It is the highest peak in Europe.

Mont Blanc

I spent some hours in the top moving around the peak and experiencing pureness of such nature. There are no second thoughts, I will be trekking down to the bottom from here. It showed 3 hrs walk to Montenvers in the sign board. In minute weather changed and It had just started to snow very lightly.
Inhaling the adventure at every step, surrounded by massive massive alps I was in love with this page of my life. We get amazing views from the top, rivers can be spotted, roads and valleys from one of the highest mountain ranges, this is truly satisfying. I took a break where i could meet some fellow walkers, some of them told me that they were doing this for 5th, 7th time and I could really feel why people do this descend many times. This honestly is one of the best hiking paths that I have taken.

Trekking View

Trekking Path

From the top

Through some snow, rocks, around boulders, mud and forest, I reached Montenvers. You get to see Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in Chamonix. There is also a museum which explains the formation of  glacier and its life cycle.
The Grand hotel in Montenvers is running from 1880, so there's quite some things unique to this place. Train from Montenvers started from early 1900's, so it was a old historical track that i will be setting foot on. A tiny vintage train brings us down by giving fabulous views of the village. I was tired and hungry, I found a lovely restaurant to feed myself and spent some time looking around.
I raced back to hostel to refresh and was back on streets to feel the evening vibe of the village. Evening grew and lights were lit, silhouette of mountains descending on the valley.

Valley

Panorama of Mountains

Picture perfect

Village of Chamonix

Village of Chamonix

Village of Chamonix

The streets were graceful in escorting me from one to another and letting me discover its charming secrets. I found a pizza shop which had lovely benches out in the cold, and i couldn't resist to try it out. Back to chalet hostel, recollecting the unbelievable day, I slipped into sleep.

During my breakfast on the next day, my hostel guy told me that he will give me a card. If we stay in Chamonix, all the hotels and hostels can give us a card which is valid in Mont Blanc express till the french border(Vallorcine), it is free of cost. Mont Blanc express is a train that connects Martigny in Switzerland and Chamonix in France. It is one of the most scenic routes in the continent. We need to change trains in Vallorcine when the train crosses the borders of countries.
I took the train and was speechless at the sight of scenery.

Route of Mont Blanc express

Train stops in plenty of villages which presents vivid colors and images that does not fade in our minds for a long long time.

Vallorcine

Vallorcine

I got down in Vallorcine, walked around the village. I Walked back to Le Buet which is another village near Vallorcine. You never get tired of hiking because of the new friend that would you have made here, the nature.

Between Vallorcine and Le Buet

Between Vallorcine and Le Buet

I took Mont Blanc express back to Chamonix, it had started to rain a little. Chamonix is a perfect place that has something for everyone, from kids to the old people. From Skiing to hikes to treks to sightseeing, there is plenty to do and experience here.
From here I take a bus that goes to Lyon through Annecy.

On the way to Annecy

Each place I go, takes a permanent place in my heart. Every place has its own special sunrise and sunset and it can be experienced only by being there.

Tips:

• Mont Blanc express train is a spectacular experience that can be taken from Martigny is Swizz to Chamonix in France.
• Cable car is good but while coming down i highly recommend you to trek down from the top.
• Take travel card from the hotel you stay, the travel is free in Mont blanc express till the France border.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

I have Finally seen Paradise- Zermatt!!

Every Travel is a little madness!!
It liberates me like a bird getting out of a cage.

Geography: Zermatt is in the middle of Swizz alps. Nearest airport is in Geneva. It is 3.5 hours train ride from Geneva.

Language: German, French, English

Currency: Swiss franc

Getting There: You need to take a train to Visp. From Visp get on the bus that goes to Tasch. From Tasch its a 10 min train ride to Zermatt. Sometimes you get direct train to Tasch from Geneva. This is the route: Geneva->Visp->Tasch->Zermatt.

What’s famous here: Matterhorn, Gornergrat.

My Story:
Me and my travel buddy, our bags and our shoes, our tickets and maps..off to Geneva.
Zermatt is 3.5 hours ride from Geneva. The route from Geneva to Visp already started to arrest us with its massive mountain ranges, lakes and colorful vegetation. We continued the journey to Tasch from Visp in a bus.

Humongous chain of mountains, fairy tale bridges, alpine trees, river streams running in parallel to us, a scene beyond expectations laid out to be absorbed by us. A short 12 minute train got us from Tasch to Zermatt.
We got down from train with smiles. Zermatt is a no cars village, so you experience pureness of nature with no dilution. Started to walk in the direction of the hostel. Such pleasing views escorting us all along as we crawled from one street to another.

 And suddenly our first sighting of Matterhorn happened.
 Majestic and Gorgeous.

Dropped our bags in hostel and freshened up to get out. Chalet houses, colorful balconies, small roads, artistic shops, the village seemed just too perfect. It is impressively naive to any sort of disturbance.

We had early dinner and started to roam again. There's something very heartwarming and intimate about Zermatt, a tiny little place in the shadow of Alps. It's like the place hugs you when you arrive.  It's a wonderful feeling.
It got dark, we literally covered every single street in the ville, explored tiny roads that were leading nowhere. When lights are lit Zermatt has a different look all together, beautifully glowing in between alps. Some streets gave us an entirely different view in the dark. I can recall a street where we were greeted by a huge mountain in the dark, we stood there staring at it.

In a place like Zermatt, the relation between time and space becomes less relevant as it tends to freeze and you feel infinity.  We were not far from experiencing it. Chit chatting our way back to hostel late in the night awaiting the next rotation of Earth.

Sunlight through the window, sight of fall colors of Swizz before breakfast. We had picked up few spots from our previous day's exploration to check them in light. To simply stand there and absorb the meaning that place tries to convey is magical. Streets and tiny ascends, grass and cogwheel tracks, we covered them all.

It was close to 11 AM and my friend, she had to return due to an emergency. Zermatt and me were disappointed to continue and missed her for the remaining of the trip. Anyways, there are plenty more to come cos 15, 20  years later we would be chatting that the lunch in Zagreb is the best or buses in Capri are perhaps are the cutest....someone who steals window seat from me all the time and who won't flinch when I propose craziest of ideas.There are mountains and oceans waiting for us.

I purchased ticket to Gornergrat in cogwheel train. The plan was to reach the top of the ridge and stare at Matterhorn and come back half way in train and hike down the rest.
Train started to stammer and steadily pick pace to ascend Alps. This stretch is one of the highest cogwheel routes present in the entire world, the views are incredible. Got down at the top of Gornergrat to witness 32 mountains surrounding me.

 The mere relevance of me in that place and at that time, tamed my soul.
Moved around the top to explore different views, to simply inhale the air, to simply see everything around. I decided to hike the entire path from the top instead of half.

 I met Riffelsee Lake that got Matterhorn stunningly close through its reflection. Unreal sight.

God has sprinkled magic all over this place, I could see snow capped hills behind me, lake on my way, waterfalls somewhere far to my left, chain of mountains to the right and colors of fall when I see down from the top.

It was 12 kms from the top to the foot of Zermatt, I deserved a heavy meal. And I did find one.

Next Morning was as bright as you can imagine, pristine as much as it could be. I knew I had half a day to find the corners I had not been to and to hike as much as I can brushing shoulders with breeze. I decided to reach the opposite side to where I had been the previous day.
There is something about mountains that seduces me, I love to simply trek every single hill or mountain I see. If it's a disease, I hope there's no cure for it.
I started climbing one such hill, after one hour I reached a flat spot where there were centuries old stable. i walked past and had indescribable views.

I stood there, I sat there and had tears looking at what was around me.I had no reason, i felt nothing at all, it was a state beyond satisfaction, beyond content where my conscious mind could probably recognize but could not grasp the feeling. I felt so lucky to be standing, breathing in a place like this. For a brief amount of time I felt, this is it, is this the adventure I was waiting, it was question and answer at the same time.

I came down from the other side of  the hill, that showed me another track to hike, I continued.

I walked until I looked into my watch that yelled at me to return to train station.
I'll be continuing the Alps affair from Zermatt to Chamonix.

Zermatt is special, It has raised purity of my conscience.
It has increased my hunger for travel. Travel!! initially it might just be like old vacation, but as you go further you start discovering a new world, a world that we only read about or listen about and you start realizing where you are. You realize you have nothing but it is only now that you have everything.

Tips:

• Best time is undoubtedly fall. There is nothing like it, a very small enclosed yet so humongous place.
• If you are planning for Chamonix from here, there is train from Martigny to Chamonix called Mont Blanc express. Martigny is few stops after Visp when you are returning to Geneva.
• Just hike to any hill you see, any path you see, any lanes that you see, it will not disappoint you.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com