KlaIpEda - In Your Pocket

44 palanga
Places of interest
Anaičiai Ethnographic
Cemetery
(Etnografinės
Anaičių Kapinės).
Overlooked entirely,
even by the local
tourist information
people, this extraordinary
collection of
19th- and early 20thcentury
graves in the
tiny hamlet of Anaičiai
is truly remarkable
and should be visited
by anyone with even a passing interest in philology.
Although now part of Palanga, which was at the time
within the Russian Empire, Anaičiai was originally on the
Prussian side of the border, as the mind-boggling writing
on some of the graves shows clearly enough. Among the
more customary renditions of the German and Lithuanian
inscriptions on the graves are a few that reflect not only
the region’s mixed ethnic heritage but that also illustrate
how the Lithuanian language was in effect cleansed at the
start of the 20th century. The pictured gravestone is a
classic example, featuring elements of the German, Lithuanian
and Curonian languages with the addition of Polish
spelling that predates the introduction of the modern
Lithuanian alphabet. A few kilometres south of Palanga
just past the small settlement of Nemirseta, there are no
signposts to aid finding the place, making getting hold of a
Briedis Palanga ir Šventoji map, available from any decent
bookshop for less than 10Lt, essential if you don’t want
to spend the day driving around in circles. The cemetery
is on the left at the end of the first collection of buildings
on the right-hand side of the dirt track.
Sea Bridge (Jūros Tiltas) C-1. Originally built over
100 years ago for unloading ocean-going tourists in
Palanga, at over 400m long, the simple L-shaped wooden
pier (for despite the name ‘tis not a bridge) at the far
western end of Basanavičiaus remains much as it was
during its original incarnation. A simple structure on which
to promenade and with no facilities whatsoever, walking
up and down the pier is all part of the experience, faintly
echoing the formal parades filled with sexual tension that
take place daily throughout the Balkans. Be sure to visit
at least once as the sun is setting as is the norm during
the holiday season.
Parks & Gardens
Birutė Park (Palangos Birutės Parkas) E-1, Vytauto
15. Until recently known as the Botanical Park, this
marvellous 100-hectare park was designed by the French
horticulturalist and landscape gardener Edouard André (1840-
1911) who spent three summers here designing it with his
son at the end of the 19th century. Originally containing an
estimated 500 native and foreign species, the current park
boasts considerably more including pine, fir and elder trees
plus over 600 varieties of plant including 24 considered to
be endangered. The park, which is the perfect place to stroll
or cycle, also contains several statues, ponds full of ducks
and swans and a small zoo. The beach next to the park was
granted Blue Flag status in 2004.
Sculpture Park (Skulptūrų Parkas) C-6. Close
to where Vytauto meets J. Simpsono, the often sadly
overlooked little park packed with 28 contemporary
statues representing several different styles from some
of the top names in Lithuanian sculpture as well as a few
pieces made by artists from Armenia, Estonia, Latvia and
Ukraine was first opened in 1982. Overhauled in 2007
to celebrate its 25th anniversary, this quiet and cultured
haven is the perfect place to escape to if you’re sick and
tired of getting your ankles nipped by tipsy proletariats on
bicycles made for four.
Sport, Leisure & Culture
Visiting Palanga isn’t just about chasing members of
the opposite sex girls and comparing hangovers. Other
treats on offer include everything from bowling and billiards
to a visit to the theatre to exploring the own on a
pair of rollerskates. Find it all and more here.
Bicycles etc.
If you haven’t brought your own set of self-propelled
wheels to Palanga, fear not, just about every hotel and
street corner during the summer season comes with the
option to rent something from rollerblades to bicycles
for anything from an hour to as long as you plan to stay.
Prices are fairly low, and, if you want to get the most of
the area without resorting to an internal combustion
engine, well worth the bother. A passport or other form
of ID that includes a photograph is essential when renting
any of the above.
Cinemas
Naglis D-2, Vytauto 82, tel. (+370) 460 575 75/
(+370) 698 244 22, www.lietuvoskinas.lt. A lovely
old building given over to the age-old pursuit of screening
films for your holiday pleasure, as well as the usual
Hollywood films on offer Naglis occasionally forgets itself
and screens underground, arthouse and documentary
work as well. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. 8 - 16Lt. J
Go-karting
Kartų Nuoma Kretingos 56a, tel. (+370) 686
211 30, www.kartunuoma.lt. Outdoor fun in petrolpropelled
go-karts for a decent price, this long established
track also organises weekly competitions with
handsome prizes. They also have a dirt track for larger
vehicles with cages which under certain circumstances
can be taken into the nearby forest. See the website for
more information. Over-12s only. Q Open 10:00 - 22:00
(March - October). Also by appointment.
Tennis
Teniso Aikštynas Gedimino 7, tel. (+370) 698
230 21, www.manotenisas.lt. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00.
Theatres
Palanga Summer Theatre (Palangos Vasaros
Estrada) D-2, Vytauto 43. Escape the rabble and
indulge in some quality opera, ballet and classical
music concerts as well as a few more popular music
performances during the summer. Palanga’s claim to
theatrical fame lies in the fact that it was in this town
in 1899 that the play Amerika Pirtyje (America in the
Bathhouse), was performed, the first play ever given in
the Lithuanian language.
Klaipėda In Your Pocket klaipeda.inyourpocket.com
Public transport
Klaipėda’s relatively small centre makes walking from
place to place a good option, with large city-owned buses
and private minibuses providing help when you need to get
from one side of the city to the other. Buses Tickets on
city-owned buses currently cost 2Lt from kiosks or 2.40Lt
if bought directly from the driver. All city-owned buses
require everybody to board through the front door only.
The solitary machine for validating tickets can be found
next to the driver. Probably the most useful bus for visitors
is the N°8 which runs from the bus and train stations down
through the middle of the city and south to the suburbs via
the massive Akropolis shopping centre. The bus’ popularity
makes it a prime target for pickpockets who make a
good living from lackadaisical travellers. Don’t leave small
valuable items in pockets or open bags. A new fleet of
grey, green and orange city-owned buses has recently
been introduced, which unlike any other public transport
in the country has manually operated doors for getting
off. Push the small buttons on the hand rails to open the
doors. The flash-looking screens at many bus stops are
as good as useless as they show the times of the buses
according to the timetable, not where they actually are
on their routes. Minibuses Klaipėda’s superb minibus
(maršrutinis taksi) fleet runs around the clock and puts
those in Vilnius and Kaunas to shame. Flag one down anywhere
in the street and tell the driver when you want him to
stop. Tickets cost 2.50Lt between 06:00 and 23:00, and
3.45Lt at all other times.
Buses
Bus Station O-2, Butkų Juzės 9, tel. (+370) 46 41 15
47. Q Ticket office open 03:30 - 19:30. J
Trains
Train Station (Geležinkelio Stotis) O-1, Priestočio
1, tel. (+370) 46 31 36 77, www.litrail.lt. Catching a
train in Klaipėda is about as interesting as watching grass
grow. Once you’ve bought your ticket all that’s left to do
is to sit and wait. The ticket office on the far left accepts
credit cards, which is about as sophisticated as the train
station gets. Ignore the drinks machine and visit the shop
next door or the bar underneath it. Q Ticket office open
06:10 - 19:00. J
Taxis
Taxis in Lithuania are considerably cheaper if called in
advance rather than grabbed in the street, although
you’re essentially at the mercy of the driver once you’ve
shut the door. Stories often filter through on the subject
of the country’s disreputable taxi drivers, who tend to
congregate in Vilnius. Experiences with taxi drivers in
Klaipėda have been by and large positive. Make sure the
meter’s running before you set off.
Company Tel. Rate/km*
1.50Lt
Autopunktas (+370) 46 31 12 11
Taksoma (+370) 46 34 33 33 1.80Lt
Vyjuvis (+370) 46 34 53 45 1.50Lt
* Prices listed are for standard daytime/evening journeys
klaipeda.inyourpocket.com
GettinG around
Train schedule
From Klaipėda To Klaipėda
Dep. Arr. City Dep. Arr.
06:50 08:50 ŠIAULIAI 06:35 09:25
08:15 11:12 ŠIAULIAI 09:22 11:22
11:50 13:46 ŠIAULIAI 12:23 14:40
15:05 17:49 ŠIAULIAI 15:43 18:31
17:05 19:06 ŠIAULIAI 20:17 22:17
06:50 11:34 VILNIUS 06:45 11:22
11:50 16:29 VILNIUS 09:41 14:40
17:05 21:54 VILNIUS 17:40 22:17
Correct at the time of going to press and subject to
change during the lifetime of this guide. More information
at www.litrail.lt
Car rental
Most major international car rental companies can be
found in Klaipėda. All types of vehicle are represented,
with many companies also offering chauffeur services.
Most major driving international licences are accepted.
Avis N-6, Žvejų
19, tel. (+370)
46 31 11 11,
klaipeda@avis.
lt, www.avis.lt. Almost exclusively high quality cars
under six months old, available with or without a driver.
Contact them for more. QOpen 08:00 - 17:00, Sat, Sun
09:00 - 16:00. J
Budget K-7, Šilutės 32 (Volvo&Renault building), tel.
(+370) 5 230 67 08 (24 hrs), budget@budget.lt, www.
budget.lt. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Local bus schedule
Kaunas 05:15, 06:10, 06:45, 07:05, 08:30, 11:10,
11:50, 13:50, 14:15, 15:35, 17:00, 17:55, 18:20,
19:25 1 .
Nida/Juodkrantė 10:55 2 , 11:15.
Palanga 09:15, 11:00, 12:25, 12:55, 13:00, 13:25,
14:00, 15:05, 15:30, 17:10, 17:50, 18:30, 18:55, 20:35,
21:10 1, 22:35.
Palanga Airport 12:25, 12:55, 15:20.
Šiauliai 06:55 3 , 08:003 , 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:002 ,
17:10.
Vilnius 04:104 , 05:40, 06:10, 08:00, 10:00, 10:45,
12:103 , 13:05, 13:50, 15:153 , 16:30, 17:102 , 17:45,
19:25.
1 2 3 - Fri, Sun, - Fri, Sat, Sun, – from September 1 till June 1
4 – Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
Valid until 01-01-2013.
Not all services listed. Correct at the time of going to
press and subject to change during the lifetime of this
guide. The website at www.autobusubilietai.lt is the
best resource for up-to-date, accurate information about
travelling by bus in Lithuania.
June 2012 - May 2013
45