Kaunas Warnings and Dangers

Not every place is dangerous, but not every place is safe, and drunken foreigners make an easy mark. Watch out for overly friendly people, men walking in packs and all of your belongings. The pubs and clubs can be a lot of fun, but common sense is warranted here.

If you decide to go at the beach or just for a walk at the Kaunas Sea, you have to know, that at the end of summer and in the begining of autumn the water isn't the best there. It has a green colour and not very tasty smell;-)

Unfortunatelly here isn't very safe to walk in the late evening or in the night. Be always careful even in the busses where some thiefs 'works' in stealing your money from the bags.

YES, it's definetely in Europe. Lithuania is European Union member since 1 May 2004. No worries, there are all facilities for visitors available in Kaunas.

Only keep in mind that Lithuania and Kaunas is emerging, fast developing country which belonged to the Soviet Union till 1991. It means that my page will not be up-to-date soon. And do not except so much choice of tourist facilities (yet, in 2004) - I mean hotels, motels, restaurants etc. - as in many western European or US cities of that size and meaning.

Walking around Kaunas do NOT expect a lot of benches put along streets (exception: Laisves aleja :-). Even in city parks I visited there were few benches. Well, it's Europe. Do not walk on grass unless it's allowed and signed. If you are tired you can easy find a pub/bar (baras) or a restaurant to relax and enjoy local drinks or food. Alternatively there were some other constructions to sit down, like on my picture.

There was large meeting of motorcycles in Kaunas, when I was there. I met them crossing my way, when I was leaving Kaunas. I tried to take them pictures. Hmm, they were moving fast, so a few my pictures were blurred. The automatic set of exposure of my camera was wrong, I noticed.

Solutions:
1. switch your camera to automatic sport programm (if possible) - fast option, the camera lowers time of exposure.
2. fix time of exposure to, say, 1/1000 s or less - it takes more time but gets better results unless there is too poor light.

There was large meeting of motorcycle's fans in Kaunas when i was there. I was staring at cool old and new motorcycles which crossed my way in Kaunas. I almost forgot to drive staring at them.

Whenever you are a driver do not stare at...
guys:
local women, sport cars, motorcycles;
women:
local men, stores/shops.
Better watch traffic, signs and police.

Few citizens of Kaunas declared to be atheists now, most were Roman catholic. Don't forget to respect their feelings whenever you visit any church in Kaunas. Guys, do not forget to take your hats off.

This info table, on my picture, was put by entrance to St. Michael Archangel (of Lithuanian Military Forces) Church and contained text in 3 languages: Lithuanian, English and German: Please, keep silence and respect. Thank you for your kind understanding.