Situation resolved

Simon writes:

It wasn't pretty, but the hostage situation has been resolved. The police had to get involved and everything. Fortunately the description of the perps was unique enough for the investigation to be a simple matter for even the most dim-witted of coppers.

The penguins are now in a secure correctional facility / gulag (the bottom of my laundry bag with my dirty socks) until such time as they can prove they are no longer a danger to themselves or society at large. Honestly, bloody penguins! We should have brought pigs instead. They can't fly either and I love pigs.

Anyway, with that all cleared up, here's a few thoughts about Vilnius and Lithuania: Lithuania was the first country in Europe to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces so going out to trendy Vilnius bars was accompanied only by the smells of armpit and ass.

Speaking of "ass", Lithuanian is officially the "ass" languange of the world. According to one city guide we picked up you've got an 18 in 27 chance of adding "as" to the end of English(ish) nouns to get a Lithuanian noun: Baras, Bankas, Restoranas etc.

One particular highlight was "mate". We were in a place that specialises in different kinds of teas. One entry on the menu had a big long discription in Lithuanian with an English translation of "mate". Nothing more, nothing less. Brilliant.

We're in St Petersburg now at the start of the Trans Siberian tour. Very pretty, loads of art, churches etc. I'm a bit churched out to be honest. Looking forward to getting involved with some Siberians. Bye!