We were wondering if we could find someway to get into the lake. There were a couple of boats but they seemed to be private ones. Made some enquiries and found out a guy who rents out paddle boats. That was good enough for us. Some more quiet time on the lake.

It is over half a kilometer long and was built more than a century back. The walk on it over the lake was one of the most peaceful experiences one can have with nothing but the sound of birds all around!

On our way to Riga, we got off the highway and headed towards Birzai. We wanted to check out the tranquil waters of Lake Širvėna. This is the oldest manmade lake in Lithuania – built a whole four and half centuries back by putting a dam on not one but two rivers!!

We started our ride from Lithuania to Latvia. Our route will basically cut across Lithuania from south to north till we enter Latvia and finish up in the capital city of Riga.

But on the way, Gintautas has planned for a few stops on either side of the border.

This is in Kaunas

The sign says something about a concert. The gate has a padlock on it. And yet, out there in the open – completely exposed to the weather – is a piano!

There was nobody around for me to ask about it on that street in Kaunas.

Do you remember the crazy story from last November how I had showed up in my penpal’s house in Lithuania and completely surprised her? Well, this time, I had written to her beforehand about my plans in Lithuania. Rita’s family was kind enough to drive to Kaunas and join me for lunch. My friends in office were incredulous when I had told them the story. Two of my colleagues – Renata and Rasa joined us too to meet Rita’s family!