Skeggsy’s Blog

Up at 08:30 for breakfast at Nidos Smilte hotel which was a poor showing esp in comparison with Zakopane Villa Vita. Went for an hours cycling along the Lagoon. Another really nice day. Booked bus ticket for 12:00 to Smiltyne (14Lit) and then had a cappacino (4lit) and banana crepe (8 Lit) at Kursis Kavine in Nida. (The old man renting cycles from his front garden is just opposite and is recommended - no forms to sign etc but bikes probably a bit older than some of street corner renters). Bus 12:00 arrived 13:00 smiltyne. Got 13:15 ferry. Walked to bus station (20 min) and got 15:00 bus to Riga (110 LIT) arriving 19:00. Pretty bumpy ride and some unmade roads, Yamini was sick. First impression gritty ex soviet mafia run town full of nutters, maybe we are in the wrong part of town. Prefer quaint Vilnius. Checked into hotel enkurs approx 20:00, then went out for dinner at Macarooni, a noodle bar. Had fish soup/miso soup and halibut/spag bol (24 LAT).

Nice continental breakfast served in room at Liniterp Guest House. Checked out at 08:30am and walked 10 min to old ferry terminal. Next ferry at 10:00am and takes 15 min to get to Smiltyne. Got the 10:15 bus from Smiltyne (14LIT for both of us) arrived 11:15 Nida. Checked into hotel Nidos Smilte which was next to Thomas Manns house and has a great view of the Lagoon. Room is very nice (180 LIT). Hired some bicycles (50LIT for 2 bikes for 24 hours) . Cycled along coastline far enough to recieve the Welcome to Russia text message on my mobile and could see the Kalingrad part of the curonian spit. Saw Chaffinch in pine forest and the shifting sand dunes. Weather was really nice today. Had lunch - Potatoe pancakes with meat and mushroom filling was very nice. More cycling, this time in other direction. Visited supermarket, purchased a couple of beers 2.19lt (50p) each. Chilled out.