Journey: Vilnius – Trakai Merkine – Orzysz (Poland)
There are few things that will get me up, organised and out of the van before 9am but a long overdue haircut is definitely one of them. I absolutely adore getting my hair done, and it’s been 6 months! I’ve had to forego the high maintenance highlights but am happily swishing a shorter healthier looking length.
Noticing a slight obsession with dumplings and noting Trakai was the home of kibinai (a Cornish pasty type creation), we headed there in pursuit of yummies and to see the castle. Sadly they only had meat options available, but the pups enjoyed the castle walk. The village itself was heaving with tourists, definitely the busiest place bar Palanga.
We then drove out to Dzukijos National Park and on our walk got a bit lost trying to avoid cows. The countryside was beautiful down by the river and we walked up through the woods of Merkine where we found a Jewish mass grave and cemetery. Some 854 Jews were marched from the town into the woods and killed during the Holocaust. It is just staggering.
We had hoped to go to Bialowieza Forest in Poland (oldest ancient forest in Europe), but you are only allowed in with a guide and we couldn’t find one available over the weekend. Sadly dogs aren’t allowed either. And so we had a long drive to Orzysz which is part of the Masurian Lake District. We picked up three girl scouts along the way, who are doing a leadership challenge. They tried and failed to teach us some polish, that is except Kava which means coffee…trust me to remember that one. It was almost 9:30pm before we found a camp spot so I’m looking forward to sleep meditation and zzzzz
SofaWolves 