Logistics - Getting to Paluse & Other Organisational Issues

• Introduction
• Paluse
• The Hall
• Accomodations
• Activities
• Logistics - how to get there, maps, costs
• Language
• Food & Beer

How to get there

There are various flights into Vilnius from Helsinki, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Moscow, Warsaw etc. Vilnius Airport is in the south end of the city. If there's enough people flying in within a few hours of each other, we can pick you up at the airport. We can setup a To/From board for those needing and offering rides.

Vilnius to Paluse

The route goes: Vilnius>Ignalina>Paluse (109km +4km from Ignalina to Paluse). Distances can be checked with the Lithuanian Road Administration Site. Click on "distances".

1. by car - take the No.102 highway northwards, or go through Europe Centre by A14 until you reach the town of Moletai, and then use No.114.
2. by bus - there are a variety of small bus firms which offer trips to Ignalina. The private bus companies function out of the Vilnius Bus Station. The phone number for the station is 1661. The ticket counter at the bus station functions in English, Russian, Polish and Lithuanian.
3. by train - Lithuanian Railways  is a good site to check out schedules. Search for the train that goes from Vilnius to Ignalina.
   
• Tickets can be ordered by email vilniaus.agentura@litrail.lt  Information telephone (5) 2330086 - you can generally find someone to help who can speak Lithuanian, Russian, Polish, English and sometimes German
• For the last 4km from Ignalina to Paluse it is probably best to hire a taxi, take a small bus or just hike it. The cost of a taxi should be no more than 10-15 LT

The question of Language

Unless you speak Latvian, there are no other similar languages to Lithuanian. Luckily, many Lithuanians can speak German and/or Russian, depending on where you are in the country. Those working in the tourism industry do speak some English and most young people under 40 speak English.

Multilingual email and faxes will be made available to assist bookings.

Those who feel the challenge and would like to learn a few words or phrases in Lithuanian, you can check out the Omni Zodynas (Dictionary).

And those who do not feel challenged enough to try an online Dictionary, we have provided a dictionary in this site for some of the more common words & phrases you'll run across.

Costs

The exchange rate for the Litas is 1 Euro=3.45 Litas

There are plenty of ATMs throughout the country. Major credit cards are accepted in larger towns, but in smaller towns & villages cash is generally a good idea.

For Americans, the American dollar is still very much highly prized.

Organizational Stuff

Locals helping out

Remigijus, Mary's cousin, is helping out initially. We are currently in contact with some LUGs in Lithuania. We spent the entire day in the National Park, scouting, taking pictures and chatting with locals. Many of them were very excited by the concept of an LBW in their area. The Museum Official at Gincai offered to provide tours.

Mary's cousin, Remigijus, is providing much of the information for this proposal. Remigijus is on the LBW mailing list, and is perfectly willing to answer anyone's questions.

Photos from the scouting trip

http://www.pbase.com/mkuncaitis