KLAIPEDA - Even though Klaipeda is a port city, water transport here is still fairly underdeveloped. This summer though there's going to be a new way to ride the waves: the water taxi. It's not exactly "Miami Vice," but taking a vanden taxi (water taxi) across the Curonian Lagoon can prove to be an exciting adventure for those who are accustomed to feeling solid ground under their feet.
Starting from May 15, the taxi will depart from the dock at the Dane River in Klaipeda and travel to the beautiful Lithuanian resort of Nida on the Curonian Spit, making the round trip four times a day. The 90-minute ride passes quickly as passengers take in their beautiful surroundings: the water, the ample supply of hungry seagulls overhead, and the soft breezes. There is also an enclosure that provides shelter in case of rain.
Most importantly, the advent of the water taxi makes the round trip from Klaipeda to Nida much more practical, allowing people to make it a day trip where they can return home with pockets full of memories without the time and exhaustion that driving (or sitting on a crowded bus) to Nida entails.
In fact, using the water taxi almost gives you two mini-holidays: a small cruise where you can enjoy the sun, followed by a getaway in a beautiful resort town.
"If everything goes well, next year the company plans to increase the number of boats to two," says Ingrida Jegeliene, representative of the company that runs the service.
The perspective looks good since the tourist season is getting into full swing and everyone wants to have a boat trip this year. But the water taxi is not a ferry boat 's it can only carry up to 10 people at a time 's so you might want to reserve a place in advance. Beyond that, there is a clear timetable posted, so if you forget to reserve a place, you can just come to the dock and check it out. There might be a free seat available for you.
If you're running late and miss the taxi; yes, there are other boats taking tourists to Nida. But those boat trips can take up to four hours. So your precious time is spent sitting in the boat (as pleasant as it may be) rather than wandering through the quaint streets of Nida or exploring the sand dunes.
The water taxi offers you a trip that is short enough to pretty much guarantee you won't have time to get bored or seasick, but long enough for you to enjoy an exotic moment on deck where you can imagine, as you skim across the lagoon, what's in store for you on the other end of your journey, knowing full well that you won't be disappointed.
And there's another way to take advantage of the water taxi: after 9 p.m you can rent it for a private party or a romantic rendezvous on the Curonian Lagoon. A floating party is something everyone should try. It's an event that would live eternally in anyone's memory. After all, what could be better than a sea voyage surrounded by your friends?
For timetables and reservations visit www.vandenstaxi.lt
