"Wan, where are you going this winter?"
"I will be travelling alone to Lithuania and Latvia!"
"Where are they?"
"Are they in the EU?"
Now, the most basic answer I'll give to them is:
"Do you know where Finland and Poland are? Well, basically there are three states in between, (and of course the Russian's Kaliningrad). The three states, from north to south are Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, also known as the Baltic states because they border the Baltic Sea."
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| Source: Google Maps |
As this topic is quite long, I will explain one by one in a question-answer format. My answer will be mainly on Lithuania and Latvia because I've never been to Estonia before.
1. Do Malaysians need a visa to the Baltics?
No. The three Baltic states are in the Schengen area, just like the Netherlands, Germany and Czech Republic. Just book a ticket and you're good to go!
2. Do people speak English here?
In Kaunas, Vilnius and Riga, a lot of people know English, especially the youngsters and those working in the tourism industry. On the other hand, if you know Russian, that would be a great advantage!
I personally spoke Russian in Lithuania after I asked "Вы по-русски говорите?" (Do you speak Russian?) and in Latvia with almost everyone, so I'm not really sure whether this really helps or not.
3. I'm a Muslim. Is Halal food available in these countries?
For Lithuania: http://en.islamasvisiems.lt/halal-meat-lithuania/
For Latvia: https://www.halaltrip.com/other/blog/a-guide-to-finding-halal-food-in-latvia/
There used to be an Uzbek restaurant in Vilnius but it's apparently closed at the moment.
There used to be an Uzbek restaurant in Vilnius but it's apparently closed at the moment.
4. Places to go?
There were several places of interest in the cities I visited: Kaunas and Vilnius (Lithuania), as well as Daugavpils in Riga (Latvia). The most touristic city of them is, of course, Riga.
To name a few:
Kaunas: Kaunas Castle, Old Town, Kaunas City Museum, Ninth Fort
Vilnius: Gediminas' Castle, Old Town, Gates of Dawn, Palace of the Grand Dukes, Vilnius University Central Campus, Vilnius Town Hall
Daugavpils: Daugavpils Fortress, Daugava River
Riga: Art Museum, Latvian University, Origo and Stockmann shopping complexes, Central Railway Station, Railway Bridge, Monument of Freedom
5. What is your best experience/encounter with the locals?
Once in Daugavpils coach station, I was waiting for the bus to Riga when an elderly woman asked me in Russian for some money for her tea and breakfast at a cafe nearby. She seemed legitimate, so I decided to give her some spare change. When she asked me, "Where are you from?", I replied that I'm from Malaysia.
"It's too far, isn't it?" she said.
"Yes, but I'm currently studying in London."
"I understood. Are you going to Riga?"
"Yes, after 30 minutes!"
"Okay, thank you again!"
Then she went to the cafe together with her husband.
Another experience in Riga was with the hostel's receptionist. He is in his 50's, speaks adequate English and his native language is Russian. I tried to speak Russian with him, as that was my original aim of this trip.
To the point which he said:
"Your Russian is quite good since you have started learned it 5 months ago! I mean, I can understand what you're saying. Is your teacher (an ethnic) Russian?"
"No. She's Mongolian (referring to my Russian teacher in the university)."
"Firstly, send her my regards. Secondly, your teacher must have done a really good job!"
In light of this, I would like to thank my teacher for her efforts in teaching us Russian despite our different levels. Some of us are talented, some need some time to understand the language.
Photo Gallery
There were several places of interest in the cities I visited: Kaunas and Vilnius (Lithuania), as well as Daugavpils in Riga (Latvia). The most touristic city of them is, of course, Riga.
To name a few:
Kaunas: Kaunas Castle, Old Town, Kaunas City Museum, Ninth Fort
Vilnius: Gediminas' Castle, Old Town, Gates of Dawn, Palace of the Grand Dukes, Vilnius University Central Campus, Vilnius Town Hall
Daugavpils: Daugavpils Fortress, Daugava River
Riga: Art Museum, Latvian University, Origo and Stockmann shopping complexes, Central Railway Station, Railway Bridge, Monument of Freedom
5. What is your best experience/encounter with the locals?
Once in Daugavpils coach station, I was waiting for the bus to Riga when an elderly woman asked me in Russian for some money for her tea and breakfast at a cafe nearby. She seemed legitimate, so I decided to give her some spare change. When she asked me, "Where are you from?", I replied that I'm from Malaysia.
"It's too far, isn't it?" she said.
"Yes, but I'm currently studying in London."
"I understood. Are you going to Riga?"
"Yes, after 30 minutes!"
"Okay, thank you again!"
Then she went to the cafe together with her husband.
Another experience in Riga was with the hostel's receptionist. He is in his 50's, speaks adequate English and his native language is Russian. I tried to speak Russian with him, as that was my original aim of this trip.
To the point which he said:
"Your Russian is quite good since you have started learned it 5 months ago! I mean, I can understand what you're saying. Is your teacher (an ethnic) Russian?"
"No. She's Mongolian (referring to my Russian teacher in the university)."
"Firstly, send her my regards. Secondly, your teacher must have done a really good job!"
In light of this, I would like to thank my teacher for her efforts in teaching us Russian despite our different levels. Some of us are talented, some need some time to understand the language.
Photo Gallery
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| Town Hall, Vilnius, Lithuania |
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| Vilnius Railway Station, Lithuania |
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| Plavinas, Latvia (on my way from Daugavpils to Riga) |
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| Railway Bridge, Riga, Latvia |
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| Riga's night view |
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| The Monument of Freedom, Riga |
