Wandering around Trakai Island Castle and Vilnius

I woke up in Kaunas to another rainy morning. Ugh. And turned over and slept in for once. Which, of course, I regretted later as the weather cleared up a bit and I might have been able to get to the Jewish Museum that unfortunately closes early on Fridays and is closed on Saturday. But I got on a train and was back in Vilnius by 11, figured out how to use the left luggage lockers to save time, and grabbed a bus to Trakai.

Trakai is the site of the Trakai Island Castle that goes back ages. It was really falling into the status of ruins in the early 1900s but fortunately individuals banded together to start to restore it and it is really quite fascinating. At EUR 8, I think it's a bit overpriced relative to other museums in the area and the types of exhibits available (a bunch of things about beadwork, ivory, glasswork and other things rather than deep dives on history and the castle itself). They also wanted another EUR 1.50 for the privilege of taking pictures. But it was nice to wander around in different parts of the castle and the setting was lovely.

The trip back was a little more interesting. I wasn't able to buy the bus ticket online as I had with the one out there (even though it was for the same company) and there wasn't a ticket agent on duty in Trakai. So I found where the next bus/van would be loading and went there. And was turned away. Unlike the driver in the morning, this driver wouldn't allow any standees. Not even a SanDee standee. So I had to wait another half hour and be first in line to make sure I got a seat on the next bus out.

Unfortunately, this meant that I didn't arrive back at Vilnius until after 2:45 PM, so no chance to get into the Jewish Museum before they closed. But after picking up my bag and checking into the hotel, I did have time to wander around Vilnius a bit more before a dinner appointment. Highlights include spotting a sculpture of Frank Zappa (no idea why), the Cat Cafe which was too busy/full to allow entry to the likes of me, and a yarn and knitting store with a super huge knitted work.

Sad that my time here is coming to an end. Will wander around Vilnius tomorrow morning one last time and hopefully hit the KGB Museum. Until then, checked into my cell at the converted convent. Perhaps the only way I'll find religion. ;-)