Tag Archives | Baltics

trakai castle window lithuania

Day 210: Trakai Castle, Or Things Fairy Tales Are Made Of

By on July 30, 2011 in Europe, Lithuania, Soviet Travel

In the small sleepy town of Trakai, there lies the island castle that dates back to the 14th century. This castle makes my Friday dream travel destination.

July 30, 2011 · Continue Reading · Comments { 3 }

Day 19: Flashback 2.5 Years to a Chance Encounter

By on January 19, 2011 in Europe, Latvia, Soviet Travel

Can you find love in a hostel? Two and a half years ago I ended up in Riga, Latvia as I was killing time before heading to Ukraine to teach English… Read more. I chatted briefly in passing with a couple of Australian guys in the hostel bedroom, but I think they were too preoccupied with the flirty Finnish girls to

January 19, 2011 · Continue Reading · Comments { 27 }

Baltic Graffiti – A Photo Essay

By on April 27, 2010 in Estonia, Europe, Latvia, Lithuania, Soviet Travel

I spent around 6 weeks in the Baltic countries of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia back in 2008. Basically, I was killing time while waiting for my teaching gig to start up in Ukraine, and I really couldn’t have picked a better place – to hang out, meet cool people, eat good food and enjoy a nice mix between Eastern and Western Europe – than in that part of the world.

April 27, 2010 · Continue Reading · Comments { 19 }

My 3 Best Kept Travel Secrets

By on February 11, 2010 in Asia, Europe, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Soviet Travel, Spain

I have recently been nominated by Linda Fairbairn of Journey Jottings to participate in the “3 Best Kept Travel Secrets” project. I’m happy to finally get to take my turn, and if you like what I have to say, why not subscribe to my feed?
 
1.) Overnight in a Yurt on Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
… Read more
Get an

February 11, 2010 · Continue Reading · Comments { 15 }

What has been the best year of your life?

By on January 15, 2009 in Asia, Central America, Estonia, Europe, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Soviet Travel, Ukraine

In one of my conversation clubs in school here in Ukraine, I asked my students what the best year of their life has been. Questions like these, followed with a simple, “Why?”, are a great way to get them all to talk (my main goal for my classes), while also killing a ton of class time. However, a lot of… Read more

January 15, 2009 · Continue Reading · Comments { 5 }

On Love & Hate: A Weekend in Pest

By on December 14, 2008 in Europe, Hungary, Soviet Travel, Ukraine

I have been sitting on this one for about a week now and decided to go ahead and post. About seven weeks ago, I made a blog post about struggling with goodbyes… Read more. I wasn’t particularly straightforward about the situation at the time, but while in the Baltic countries, I did meet someone I thought was really special… and of

December 14, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 9 }

Pelmeni XL – A Must Eat in Riga

By on October 19, 2008 in Europe, Latvia, Soviet Travel

Even though I have spent nearly two weeks of my life recently in Riga, Latvia, this is actually my first post on the country at all. Shocking, no? I was planning to do a post on Sigulda with some cute photos, but someone I was travelling with decided it was a good time to clean the sensor on my camera… Read more

October 19, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 9 }

So, you were expecting to find a former Soviet Navy nuclear submarine training center, too?!

By on October 10, 2008 in Estonia, Europe, Soviet Travel

Paldiski could be classified as the worst city I have ever travelled to… purposely. Apparently, the guide books even say “Welcome to Hell” when talking about the small, former Soviet naval base, but still my current fascination with all things “Soviet style” helped Sam talk me into checking it out. Apparently there was even going to be the remains of… Read more

October 10, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 0 }

It feels like autumn.

By on October 6, 2008 in Estonia, Europe, Lithuania, Soviet Travel

Imagine my shock when the day I flew from Kazakhstan to Latvia I also went from sweating to freezing! Everyone in Riga was wearing a coat, hat, gloves… the works. “Ugh!” I thought. I really despise cold weather, but don’t get confused. That doesn’t mean I like summer either! So I may be a bit sensitive to temperature, but I… Read more

October 6, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 2 }

Totally Crossed Out!

By on October 4, 2008 in Europe, Lithuania, Soviet Travel

They say there are 55,000 in total, but I really wonder if it is more than that. One can easily get lost in the sea of relics on display at the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania. I had seen pictures before setting out on the 3 hour bus ride to the small town of Siauliai, but none will ever do… Read more

October 4, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 6 }