Category: Uncategorized

Yesterday, I mentioned that English is widely spoken in India. It’s actually one of the official languages, together with Hindi. Well, Hindi is the main language, and English is like an additional language for government, business or education.

What’s interesting, each state in India can have its own official language, and there apparently over 100 major languages plus many many more “minor” ones.

p.s. Today’s picture was taken in Jaipur. You know, I’m an astrophysicist, so when I see words “astrology” and “research institute” written together, I’m speechless… 🙁

In years from 1858 to 1947, India was a British colony or a part of the British Empire, and used to be called the British Raj.
About 100 years of the British rule changed some aspects in India (in a negative as well as in a positive way). What’s mostly visible today, it’s an English language widely spoken by citizens (well… with a characteristic accent). Cricket is another “British remains” in India and nowadays it’s actually the most popular sport in India!

What “British” comes to your mind when you think about India?

India is officially called as the Republic of India.
It’s one of the largest countries and the second-most populous country in the world.

On today’s picture, you see a part of the long queue – people waiting to enter famous Taj Mahal. It’s one of the biggest touristic attractions of India, so no wonder it’s very crowded. But in general, it’s a bit difficult to be alone in India (or China).

Each month, I have a post on my blog that’s called “Final impression”. This time, I also want to add a post where I’m showing you my first photo-impression.

That’s the first picture I took in India, just after living subway (metro) station in Delhi.
Well, it’s like it is…

Welcome in May on my blog! 🙂
This month is going to be all about India.
Have you ever been to India or this country is on your list, or maybe you don’t want to go there?
Let me know your impressions or imaginations. I’m curious what you think, because people often have very strong feelings about India – love it or hate it; think it’s a colorful place or very dirty; etc.
I’ll try to show you in May (relatively) objective pictures taken in India. Stay tuned! 🙂

Today we’re saying “Goodbye Lithuania”.
How did you like this month on my blog? Would you like to visit Lithuania?

I have to say, I have very positive memories from this small country.
What I liked the most are two places – Vilnius and the Curonian Spit. 🙂

Tomorrow, a new series on my blog will start. This time, it’s going to be about slightly more exotic country. 😉

Palanga is a resort and a summer capital of Lithuania. From this short description, I’d expected a crowded city, but it was nice and calm; even the beach was completely empty. 🙂

Kaunas is the second largest city in Lithuania. Well, it doesn’t really feel big. At least its nice Old Town is perfect for sightseeing on foot. You’ll find there a few interesting sites, i.e., Kaunas Castle (today’s picture).

In the Curonian Spit you’ll also find several museums.
The most known is probably a museum in Nida about the German writer Thomas Mann. So no wonder, Nida is very popular among the German tourists.

Curonian Spit (the Baltic Sea area) is also famous from large sand dunes. It says, there are the largest drifting dunes in Europe. Visit one of the places and have some fun with sand. 😉

While being close to the coast, think of the Baltic treasures. 😀
Amber can be still found on the beach. So search for it, while walking along the coast.

When I was a little girl, searching for amber was a must during summer holidays. 🙂

p.s. If you want to learn more about Baltic amber – visit Amber Museum in Palanga.

I didn’t mention before that the Curonian Spit belongs to two countries, Lithuania and Russia. And from Nida, is very nearby to Russia – Kaliningrad (Kaliningrad Oblast).
(If you have a valid Russian visa you can try to cross the boarder, however I heard that a public transport doesn’t cover this path so well.)

p.s. This picture was taken in Nida, Lithuania.

Nida is probably the most known town of the Curonian Spit.
Like other places in the Curonian Spit, Nida offers lots to do in summer, i.e., different outdoor activities and fresh tasty fish for eating. 😉

Of course, Lithuania is not a Mediterranean country, but Baltic Sea is also charming, and here you can really enjoy it! 😉

The Curonian Spit is a 98 km long sandy peninsula.
It’s also quite narrow (ranges from 400 m up to 4 km).

The Curonian Spit is a very nice area, and not without a reason it’s on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For the next few days, I’ll tel lyou more about the Curonian Spit. 🙂

In 1863, people started to bring crosses to the Hill of Crosses. The installation of crosses was forbidden for many years (e.g., during Soviet times) and even destroyed a few times. But people didn’t give up and were bringing crosses secretly at night.
These days, everyone can bring his own cross here.

There is a very unique place in Lithuania – it’s called Hill of Crosses; located nearby Siauliai.
You can find there over 100 thousand crosses!
Crosses are brought by people of different nations and religions.

Apparently, over 70 % of the population of Lithuania is Roman Catholic.
There are also smaller groups of Orthodox Christians, Evangelical Lutherans, members of Reformed churches, etc.

(Today’s picture is not really contacted with religion, but tomorrow’s is going to be. 🙂 )

Lithuania has a humid continental climate, what means cold winters and mild, rainy summers.
I was visiting Lithuania in summer and the weather was just perfect, with no rain.

The country is quite flat, covered by forests and agricultural areas; and there not so many differences in temperatures. However, the coast area has slightly milder winters and colder summers (but you may not really notice any difference).

Trakai Castle is built on the island and to get there you have cross nice wooden bridge.

The surrounded lake makes the castle even more interesting. You can enjoy not only the castle, but also the lake; e.g., rent a boat and have your own peace. 🙂

Trakai Castle is apparently one of the most visited sites in Lithuania.
Well, it’s a very nice castle, but too crowded (or maybe I was a bit unlucky and chose a wrong day for visiting it).