The ship had turned around in the Curonian Lagoon ready to leave the way she had entered.
After the ship had docked we were serenaded by a folk band immediately below our cabin.
Our Baltic cruise on P&O Aurora would take us to Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Germany, Denmark and Norway.
On Wednesday 17th May we docked In Klaipeda. This was our first Baltic State of the cruise
Klaipeda
Breakfast was again a late affair this time in the buffet (Horizon restaurant) where I had an excellent freshly made-to-order omelette.
The shuttle bus took us from the dock into Theatre Square. The tourist office was just around the corner and there I picked up a couple maps of the town.
In the square there was a market with stalls selling locally made craft items.
Next to the fountain the folk band had set themselves up and were entertaining everyone in the square.We wandered around the stalls looking at the knitted items, the carvings and lovely artwork made from driftwood and paintings.
On the banks of the Dane River
From Theatre Square we walked to the river. Along its banks were new buildings built in the style of old warehouses that were either offices or restaurants. Across the river we could see a path with sculptures and statues. We walked along the bank past the new buildings and crossed over the road to follow the bank to have a look at the sailing ship moored there. The Meridianas was used for training purposes and is now a fish restaurant.
Behind us was the statue of a chimney sweep up on top of the building’s chimney. This is above no 8 on Kalviq Street.
Below on the wall was his ‘button’ that if touched will bring you luck.
Down the side street past the chimney sweep was this cat on a wall.
Back walking up the river side we came to another of Klaipeda’s statues. This was a money box with money cascading down the pavement. This is at the site of the first Memel Savings Bank.
Over the Dane River
We crossed the river and walked back along the other bank to look at the metal structure there. All around the sphere were padlocks again for luck and perhaps for love.
Behind us and towards the road were these ‘bugs’ with bodies covered in plants.
Below the bridge there was a mermaid down at the level of the river.
Here I am sitting rather uncomfortably next to her.
(image by Linda)
On the wall by the steps was this stenciled street art.
(Compare to the stenciled screaming woman in Gdynia)