Writer's Guild Housing, Nida, Lithuania

There's a quirky example of Soviet-era housing in the beach resort of Nida, Lithuania. Somehow, instead of the standard concrete monoliths present throughout Eastern Europe, the Russians allowed an architecturally interesting design. Think a 1960s or so era Robert Venturi-like complex.

Creative use of different materials, colors and angles. The place fits well in the low-density, wooded Nida.

Modernist sharp angles, soft garden levels. Inside, strictly utilitarian for writers there on summer retreat.

Did we mention writers? At the top of a flight of stairs, leftovers.

Accent on color.

Original period finishes, door handle and basic bathroom.

Rec room. You can imagine the place in Soviet times, all the writers gathering in this place, half salon for great reading, half a raucous drinking atmosphere.

Summer On The Curonian Spit, Lithuania

Just like residents of any country on a large body of water, Lithuanians flock to the shore in the summer. Which means you might see a few people.

Packed Baltic Sea beach.

A sure sign of summer, ice cream temptations. Light bouncing on a table.

Peeking antenna.

View of the Curonian spit from a hilltop in Nida. Lazy old Russian Lada.

Lovely lagoon.

Oh Little Cemetery Of Nida

Such an adorable town, of course it has a small, cute cemetery. Find the brick Lutheran church and you'll see the cemetery.

The main gate, a little German on the sign. The gently sloping location.

The Lutheran church overlooks the cemetery.

Traditional grave markers, wooden stakes and simple concrete boxes.

The stakes are the most impressive feature of the cemetery, grouped together as if guarding the place, looking like ancient, natural totems.

Playing In The Light Of Nida

Mornings in Nida offered beautiful light falling in interesting places. It's up and early to witness the show.

Details Of Nida, Lithuania

Such a cute town, there must be quirks somewhere. Time to zoom in on details.

Closed camp.

A boat built for two random seats. A coin for your way.

Blooming and drying.

Lighting up a clothesline and a few apples.

Protected dining.

The Iconic Architecture Of Nida, Lithuania

New England has its clapboard; Nida has its houses of red siding with blue and white accents. The town is bordering on a jumbo train set.

A semi-Victorian style, also looking North to Scandinavia for inspiration.

Great gables and railings. Neatness is promoted, even stacking logs.

Don't forget perfect lawns.

Weather vanes have their own architecture language and it's complicated. The vanes must be saying it's good weather, time to hang laundry.

Or have breakfast outside in the beautiful light.

Nifty Nida, Lithuania

Lithuania has a hidden gem, a sort of mini Nantucket without the upturned noses and related money flashing. Nida is located down the Curonian spit, a tree-speckled sand dune that runs along the Baltic coast of Lithuania (and Russia). There's not much going on in Nida, just beautiful architecture and natural scenery.

In the center of town, a sleepy marina.

Traditional church. Traditional lighthouse.

Tidy groves of trees dot the town.

Parts still set in the Soviet past. The other church in Nida.

A lazy day on the lagoon that separates the spit from mainland Lithuania.