A young man wearing glasses, a student from Chennai, India, studying at a local university, used to work at the hotel during weekends
By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
Our Lithuanian Journey
We had only seen this kind of thing on social media—those dramatic remixes and edited videos people share online. It always looked too surreal to be real. But this time, it actually happened to us.
There was a faint smile on my face, but inside, I felt a flicker of fear.
As we were disembarking the plane, I joked with the air hostess, “We usually only see things like this on social media!” She laughed heartily.
So, what exactly happened?
Well, in April 2024, my dear friends—Sunil Kumar and Riaz Kango—and I flew from Stockholm to Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania. As the plane approached Vilnius Airport, it seemed ready to land. We were very close to the runway. I silently recited whatever prayers came to mind. Suddenly, just as we expected to touch down, the plane soared back up into the sky. Panic struck. Everyone looked uneasy, but I maintained a nervous half-smile.
The aircraft circled in the air for another 15–20 minutes before attempting a second landing. Later, the pilot explained that there may have been insufficient space on the runway or some other minor issue, so we had to abort the first landing and try again.
Thankfully, we arrived safely in Vilnius.
Arrival at Courtyard by Marriott – Comfort After the Flight
We booked a Bolt taxi from the airport and reached our hotel, Courtyard by Marriott on Rinktines Street. The hotel was spacious and modern. In the lobby, people were relaxing, sipping either sparkling water or, more accurately, wine.
We checked in and went to our room. It was clean, cozy, and well-equipped—with a tea-making station, a television, an iron, and a mini-fridge. The beds were comfortable, and the room’s window opened out to the road. Since it was already late at night, we decided not to go out. We made ourselves a cup of tea and, chatting quietly in the room, drifted off to sleep.
Day Two: Breakfast Conversations and a Student from Chennai
The next morning, we woke up early and got ready. We headed to the hotel’s breakfast area, where people of all ages were already busy enjoying their meals. We found an empty table and joined in. But really, how much can one eat? Everyone ate as much as their appetite allowed.
Because it was the weekend, most of the hotel staff were young students working part-time. One of them caught our attention—a young man wearing glasses who seemed to be of Indian origin. We later found out that he was indeed a student from Chennai, India. When I remarked, “Chennai means Madras, right?” he smiled and replied, “Exactly!”
He told us he was studying at a local university and working at the hotel during weekends. While many young people from Sindh have now spread across the corners of the world, I still want to say this to the youth of Sindh: Work hard. Study with passion. Strive for excellence. Seek your own identity. The doors of the world are always open to students. Do not limit yourself by simply waiting for a government job at home—that’s a disservice to your potential.
The breakfast area itself was a marvel of creation. God’s beauty in human faces, and the blessings of food and drink for those very humans, were all gathered under one roof. Thanks to the hotel’s glass walls, we had a clear view of the outside world. A gentle drizzle was falling outside, adding a romantic ambiance to the scene.
First Walk in Vilnius: Riverbanks and Rain
After breakfast, we got dressed and stepped outside. As we exited, light raindrops greeted us—not enough to be bothersome, but enough to call for rain jackets and umbrellas, which we had brought along.
We started walking left from the hotel. Nearby, we noticed a sign indicating an old Jewish cemetery, but we couldn’t actually see any graves from our vantage point—only the board with information.
We continued our walk and soon arrived at the banks of the Neris River. Across the river stood the iconic Gediminas Hill, with the Gediminas Castle Tower proudly perched on top—a famous symbol of Vilnius.
The view was breathtaking: the river flowing gently, green stretches along the banks, cloudy skies above, and the ancient castle forming a perfect natural frame. Our hearts lifted at the sight.
On both sides of the river, there were excellent walking paths, beautifully built for pedestrians. One could walk peacefully while enjoying the scenery. We took many memorable photographs by the river and soaked in the serene environment.
Eventually, we crossed over to the other side of the river using the King Mindaugas Bridge. The cobblestone road was busy with cars, buses, and trams moving steadily. Both locals and tourists filled the streets, exploring and enjoying the city.
Hills, Crosses, and Hidden Republics: Deeper into Vilnius
Up to the Castle Hill – By Foot or Funicular
To reach the top of the Gediminas Castle Hill, one can either hike up by foot or take a rail-like funicular lift. The entire hillside was lush and green. On the way up, we came across the monument of Vytautas the Great, where we took some memorable photographs.
We bought our tickets for the funicular and quickly ascended to the top. And what a view it was!
At the summit, a stone-paved ground surrounded the castle. The Gediminas Tower stood tall and proud—a sight worth seeing. There were plenty of benches for visitors to sit and rest, although the wind was quite strong up there.
From the hill and the castle, the panoramic view of Vilnius was absolutely mesmerizing. Far into the distance, we could see red-tiled rooftops of old houses, interspersed with a few tall modern buildings—yet all embraced by a thick canopy of green trees. The city appeared as a perfect blend of urban living and nature.
Flowing quietly below was the Neris River, reflecting the soul of the city. Its waters moved silently—no flash, no noise, no fuss. Just gracefully doing its work.
Downhill into Kalnai Park and the Hill of Three Crosses
After spending quite some time at the top, we slowly descended the hill using wooden stairways, joining other tourists. Apart from the Neris, Vilnius also has another river—Vilnia, which merges with the Neris inside the city.
We reached Kalnai Park, located between the left bank of the Neris and the right bank of the Vilnia. Also known as Hill Park, this area had well-marked trails through small hills. Climbing uphill via stairs, we paused to catch our breath a few times before reaching another major city landmark—The Three Crosses.
These tall white crosses, Christian symbols, were erected at a high point on the hill. The place was busy with tourists, and from there too, the panoramic city view was breathtaking. We soaked in the atmosphere, took photos, and after a while, began our descent.
Within the park, we also passed the Mountain Stage, an open venue used for public events and festivals.
An Encounter by the River and the Curious Republic of Užupis
Down near the Vilnia River, we paused for a moment. Riaz was on a call with a friend back in Pakistan and commented, “Just look at these trees and how well they’re protected here. Back home in Sindh, sadly, people have cleared out entire forests.”
While we were still there, a man with long hair and a light beard arrived, walking his pet dog. We struck up a conversation and exchanged friendly greetings. When we asked how to get to Užupis, he kindly offered to take us there himself. He guided us all the way, showed us around, and dropped us at our destination—we were deeply thankful for his kindness.
Užupis is a small district of Vilnius, home to about 7,000 residents—1,000 of whom are artists. Others include intellectuals and small business owners. Until 1990, the area had a bad reputation. But the locals declared themselves independent, creating their own national anthem and constitution. Today, Užupis is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In the local language, “Užupis” means “on the other side of the river”—referring to the Vilnia River, from which Vilnius takes its name. The area is filled with public art created by local artists. Their constitution, a collection of more than 40 human rights-inspired declarations, is displayed in multiple languages on a wall.
Even the Dalai Lama has visited Užupis. We spent a long time exploring the area, and standing next to that wall of principles, we felt as if we were taking an oath of humanity.
Strolling Through the Old Town and University
From Užupis, we wandered into the Old Town of Vilnius—or rather, we were already very close to it. The streets were made of cobblestones, while the pedestrian walkways on either side were paved with large cement tiles.
Each street had a proper name and every building had its number, as is common across Europe. Cleanliness stood out everywhere.
Eventually, we reached Vilnius University. Although it was a Saturday, many students were out and about. One of them approached us and kindly said, “If you need any help or information, feel free to ask me.” We thanked him warmly.
Nearby was the Presidential Palace, where we took a few memorable photos from the outside. In many city parks, we noticed soft-colored flowers blooming, adding to the charm of Vilnius.
Cathedrals, Souvenirs, and Thoughtful Public Spaces
Our next destination was the Vilnius Cathedral, a large structure surrounded by an even larger open square. The Bell Tower stood separate from the main cathedral, giving the place a unique beauty.
We walked through the pedestrian shopping street near the cathedral, browsing souvenir shops and stalls, asking about prices and picking up a few items here and there.
Soon, we reached Town Hall and Town Hall Square, which featured a charming fountain, further enhancing the atmosphere. What impressed me most here was a modern water fountain designed with both humans and animals in mind: it had a tall spout for filling bottles and drinking, and a small bowl at ground level for animals, so even pets could quench their thirst.
Near the Town Hall, we spotted many tourists, including three of us, which delighted us. We took plenty of photos there too.
Winding Down at a Cozy Café
Feeling a bit tired, we looked for a place to sit and enjoy some tea and snacks. Eventually, we reached Eskedar Café-Bar, where the staff informed us they would be closing in about an hour. We said, “No problem, we just want to enjoy a quick tea and cake.”
The café had a very cozy and inviting atmosphere. Its interior décor included beautiful flowers and plants, adding to its charm. Over tea, coffee, and cake, we relaxed and had a pleasant conversation.
When the staff began cleaning up, we also prepared to leave. Before heading back to the hotel, we made one last visit to the Cathedral Square. The square was still lively with people walking around, and we too joined the relaxed crowd.
Inside the cathedral, we noticed lit candles whose scent filled the air with a calm and sacred fragrance. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful day. (Continues)
Read: Swedish Retreat: Sköndalen’s Quiet Valley
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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
