June 22
A long day on the rails and road today, as I set off to Vilnius to meet with my metal family before heading to Kilkim Žaibu for three days of metal, folk and Baltic culture. The past two times I had been have marked among the highlights of my year, and in turn has led me down the path of wanting to explore different rock and metal scenes across the world, cumulating in the existence of this very blog. In order to get there, I first needed to get a train up to Warsaw, and then get a coach (or intercity bus to you non-Brits) to Vilnius, due to trains between Poland and Lithuania still being suspendered due to Covid and only due to resume one day after I returned to the UK. It was actually an enjoyable journey in spite of its considerable length, I enjoyed seeing the Polish and Lithuanian countryside roll past me, looking on in awe as we passed thick forests and saw many storks making good use of the artifical nesting platforms which had been erected by the roadside.
Top row: On the coach to Vilnius, much needed traveller fuel, mural on a Warsaw building, typical Polish roadside scene.
Bottom row: Crossing the Nemunas River on the M. K. Čiurlionis bridge in Kaunas, monument of crosses, approaching journey’s end.
Thirteen and a half hours after leaving Krakow I was in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania, and I was soon reminded why I found it a such a magical place when I visited the first time around, it is such a vibrant and colourful place with friendly people, and a history dating back centuries which is reflected in its historic Old Town. I made my way to meet with my friends at a bar called the King and Mouse, which boasted an excellent choice of Balitc beers alongside a selection of Scotch and Irish whiskies. After that we were in Bar BIX, Vilnius’ premier rock place, although that evening it was a karaoke night, and I still managed to go with the flow even though it has never been my thing. Finally we were at a place known as “who hit John”, with whilst impressively decorated was immensely crowded, and at this point everyone was tired, especially me, so we headed to our apartment to sleep and be ready for the bus to the festival.
An assortment of images from my evening walk through Vilnius.
Seconding how great Vilnius is! Really enjoyed that night out and the beer scene was great as well. Shoutout to the place next door to the King and Mouse, the “Beer Library” that me Alex and Rachel checked out… perfect for beer nerds 😀