Dungroamin 2016
The holiday that smells but has no taste
Friday 10th June
As we usually do on our first morning, we decided to go on a city tour. The hotel reception booked us in and whilst awaiting the allotted time, we wandered around the corner and came across Vilnius Cathedral. The outside was nothing to write home about but the interior was pretty spectacular.
The Cathedral–Basilica of St. Stanslaus & Ladislaus – otherwise known as Vilnius Cathedral.
That's what you call and organ.
Detail of the roof.
There are more intricate details around the walls.
As there was 10 of us, we got our own private mini–bus fully equipped with headphones for the audio commentary. We stopped and got out a couple of times, but generally the commentary was given whilst we sat in the mini–bus.
In 1997, residents of the area declared their own independence, naming their neighborhood the Republic of Užupis, along with its own flag, currency, president, and cabinet of ministers. The constitution of Uzipis is now recorded on this wall and includes such gems as ‘Everyone has the right to die, but this is not an obligation’. If you want to read the constitution again, click here
Outside our hotel waiting for our tour guide.
Sts. Peter & Paul’s Church.
Another fantastic ceiling.
And another gleaming organ.
With the tour complete, we quickly found a place for coffee before tackling the funicular railway to Gediminas Castle which has a prominent postion overlooking the city.
We paused a while to enjoy the fantastic views, before clambering onto the funicular again. Upon gaining ground level we located a suitable place to grab some pizzas for lunch.
Gediminas Castle.
The funicular railway.
Come on team, you can't need a rest, we came up by train.
View over the River Neris.
Can't find out what this is. It looks like a mosque, but the internet suggests that there are current objections to building one.
Three Crosses on the Crooked Hill in Kalnai Park.
Anyone for a pizza? Fiona has very exacting standards. She won't entertain anything less than 12 inches! Joanie has her serious face on as she studies the various sizes available. Could she manage something that big?
Having had a leisurely lunch and a few beers, it was back to the hotel for a quick siesta and change before setting out for more eating and drinking.
Our intention was to find another restaurant recommended by the hotel receptionist. This time called Portas – or so we were informed. We found a place we thought was it, and started queuing to get a table. However we concluded that we were not in the right place as it was called Porto not Portas. So we ventured out into the rain to look further up the street. We soon came to the conclusion that we were in the right place after all, and unfornately when we went back the queue had grown longer; and of course it is always more difficult with a large group. However we eventually got seated and had a very nice meal. Having “not spared the horses” when ordering, because the previous bill had been very reasonable, we were surprised when the bill came to only €168 or £136, less than the previous day.
During the meal there was a bit of competitive crossword solving, as the puzzle was passed from one side of the table to the other.
We await our evening meal. Who the devil's that behind you Fiona?
An example of the cavern–like eating areas in this restaurant.