Friday July 3, 2015 - Klaipeda (Memel), Lithuania

We got up at 9 and went for coffee only.  We went to the Enrichment Lecture on Germany since reunification.  We went for an early lunch at the grill buffet where they had Indian food. We dined with Sandy and Gavin.

We met our tour guide Alsa at 12:30 and set off from Klaipeda for Palanga.  In Palanga there was an old estate (castle).  We had a tour of the rooms in the castle and then got to see the amber museum with all kinds of amber.  The amber was formed 10-20 million years ago from the types of trees that grew here.

Young musicians met us on the pier in Klaipeda, Lithuania

The gardens in Palanga

Beautiful sculptures

Tranquil gardens in Palanga

The castle house at Palanga, Lithuania

The rose garden at Palanga

Displays in the Palanga Mansion

Beautiful tapestries

The amber display - amber pieces of all sizes, shapes, and some with inclusions

We walked in the rose garden and then to the Four Seasons Garden.  We met the bus and then went to the Palanga boardwalk.  We walked to the beach where lots of people were sunning and swimming.  Good eye candy too!

Rose Garden

Selfie at Palanga Mansion

Four Seasons Garden

The Boardwalk at Palanga

 

 We headed back to Klaipeda and went to a pub for a local beer.  We left the tour and walked around the small town on our own – canals, town square, theatre, and bronze rat that gives good luck.  From the balcony of one of the buildings in the market square, Hitler gave a speech declaring that Lithuania was a part of Nazi Germany.  It was clearly expressed that Lithuania has had a sad history of oppression.  The country was only opened to others in 1992 and they are still rebuilding.  They still have a way to go.

Hitler spoke from the balcony of this building - occupying Lithuania

Little bronze mouse statue - good luck!

Tall sailing ship that is turned into a restaurant

The pub where we had Lithuania beer

Statues throughout Klaipeda

Interesting sculpture at the waterfront - man climbing out of the wall

The top of that statue from the other side

"JAZZ" made frm shrubs

The Regent Silver Seas Voyager docked in Klaipeda, Lithuania

The Lithuanian flag

Famous statue with child and dog on the dock

 

We got back to the ship and got ready for dinner.  We met Linda and Chris from Durham at 6:30 in Observation Lounge and had drinks.  Then to dinner in Compass Rose.  Nice, nice people and a lively conversation.

We all went to see Ray Solaire’s show at 9:30 – singing and puppetry.  It was entertaining.

Tim and I went back to Observation for a nightcap and got the 2 seats right in the middle of the room.  The ocean was spectacular with the setting sun and ripples in the still ocean from other ships making beautiful pattern.  Sandy and Gavin joined us and we talked until midnight.  Sandy and I danced too.

It was a good day in Lithuania, another new country visited!  We get to sleep late tomorrow as we are at sea all day tomorrow.