Wandering Through Northern Europe – Baltic Cruise on the Norwegian Dawn

June 17 – Klaipeda

Unlike yesterday, today’s tour was bright and early and since we sprang ahead an hour last night it felt even earlier. Encouraged by a band playing at the terminal, we boarded the bus at what felt like the crack of dawn though of course it wasn’t. 

Our guide today is Marina and as she is a teacher she is quite knowledgeable about all things Lithuanian so she regaled us with this history as we drove to an Amber production facility. 

Klaipeda was founded in 1252 by the Teutonic Knights as they returned from the Crusades in the Holy Land. The key of Klaipeda’s development is that it’s an ice-free port located at the mouth of Dane River in Lithuania. Lithuania is one of the Baltic countries boasting a population of 3 Million. Lithuania is on the Baltic Sea and Klaipeda is its only port. Klaipeda is the third largest city in Lithuania with a population of 200,000. 

Like the rest of Lithuania, Klaipeda was ruled by the Soviets from the end of World War Il until 1991, when the country gained its independence.

According to Marina, Lithuania’s main features are 4 Bs

Bread – specifically dark bread, is an important part of all meals.

Blondie – typically fair hair and blue eyes

Beer – the national alcohol drink

Basketball – popular game with Lithuanians as they are typically tall. 

We did drive past several of Klaipeda’s architectural gems such as the Clock and Watch Museum, the neo-Gothic post office and a former military barracks that now houses Klaipeda University but no photo stops so no pics!

Most of the tour focussed on amber and its importance to the development of Lithuania. The first stop on the tour was the Queen Amber factory. 

We learned that there are a number of steps in the refining, shaping and polishing of the amber; many done by hand. The stones are washed, cut, sliced, shaped and polished before making holes to string for making jewelry and etching for certain pieces. 

After the stone is autoclaved for a week at 200C to remove impurities it is all one colour – yellow. Different colours can be made by later baking the stones for different amounts of time.

Nothing is wasted. Even the amber dust is sold to add to fires to make them sparkle. You can also add amber to alcohol or tea and these drinks are said to have medicinal properties. Apparently, wearing unpolished amber is supposed to be good for those with thyroid problems and in the local drug stores you can buy amber pills to cure a hangover. I should have stocked up in those but I’m older and more sensible now – not!

After leaving the factory with a small gift of amber beads to make the elixir, we are headed to Old Town to an Amber Museum and shop owned by the same company.  

On our walk to the Amber Museum we saw spied the Monument to Unite Two Peoples.  Before the Republic of Lithuania was created, Klaipėda and the surrounding area was an autonomous region known Lithuania Minor with a very turbulent history. Although unified with the rest of Lithuania in 1923, Klaipeda considers itself the heart of the country. The monument celebrating unification represents Lithuania Minor as a brown pole a part of the whole yet not wholly a part. 

As we crossed the bridge into Old Town, we also had a chance to see a ship anchored in Danë River, the Meridianas. This ship was built in Finland in 1948 and is the symbol of the city. 

At the amber museum, we were treated to some amber infused vodka and a piece of a traditional Lithuanian cake (Šakotis or tree cake often considered the king of Lithuanian cakes and desserts)before being set loose in the shop. 

Some tips for those buying amber.  To determine if it is real, put it in salt water and it should float. Another option is to rub it on your skin or a piece of wool clothing and it should smell like pine. We also had a chance to get up close to the different types of fossils found in some amber.

After the Amber Museum (where shockingly I didn’t buy anything!), Marina took us on an orientation walk through the narrow streets of Klaipeda’s Old Town.

Streets in Old Town are named after the trade practised by people living on that street and it’s often fairly obvious even for an anglophone. 

The is a large piano on the corner of Music Street with a chess board in front of it. 

On blacksmith street, there is a cat with funny tale which you should rub for good luck.  I did but still not a jackpot in sight!

After strolling around Old Town we landed in Theatre Square which has a lovely fountain. 

 The King of Prussia lived in Klaipeda in this large white building after running away from Napoleon. The document abolishing serfdom was also signed here. 

Sadly our time was running out and we headed back to the bus to return to the ship. I got a bit distracted on my way but still made it!

Back at the cruise port where a boy and his dog wave goodbye as we sail off to our next adventure!