Trakai appealed to my sense of history. Asking at the hostel desk for directions it turned out there was just a short walk to the bus station to catch the appropriate bus to Trakai. Loved the walk to the bus station in this beautiful old city. I checked the timetable for the bus it was only a short wait, there seemed to be plenty of them. The excellent trip out to Trakai taking about 40 minutes, loving the scenery.The bus stopped at the local markets.The weather particularly cold and the wind biting, so checked out the markets for something to wear that was warmer than my clothes, but alas nothing fitted.
Given the general direction of the castle, I started walking past the houses that I had learnt were Karaites , a people with turkish background that had settled in the area around the 14th century. Ending up at the edge of Lake Galve. A lake with 21 islands in it,
I am in front of the walkway/bridge connecting the Trakai castle. A castle with a chequered history that goes back to the 1300’s, the serenity of the of the lake from its tree lined edges and hills.
I was stunned with the red brick buildings, and massive courtyard. Very few tourists to spoil the magic of the moment. Not surprising really, given that the day was bitterly cold, as well as the chill factor from the wind. In need of something warmer, I stopped in at a cafe with a ger and tables. Of course, I had to have the fun of sitting in the ger to enjoy lunch and get out of the weather. I continued walking taking in the various sights, a little faster in order to stay warm. The church in its simplicity, after some of the places of worship I have visited, was beautiful. I headed back to the bus stop, and the local toilet.
