Tripoint Latvia - Belarus - Lithuania From Šķaune to the Belarusian - Lithuanian border was a long drive. I passed some interesting cities as Krāslava and Daugavpils in Latvia and Zarasai in Lithuania. I should have taken the time to stop, enjoy the landscapes and to make some pictures of the beautiful areas, the lakes and the villages but I didn't. Instead of that I drove directly to the former nuclear power plant near Visaginas where I had to collect my permission to visit the border areas. I was there on Sunday at 4 PM and it took more than 1,5 hour before I got the permission. The border guards at the former nuclear plant where not prepared on my visit. They didn't know about a permission and said it would cost three working days to get a permission -if I would get one. They advised me to come back the other day. I showed the e-mails from the HQ in Vilnius, but it didn't ring a bell. They spoke disparagingly about their colleagues in Vlinius. On the other hand, they were willing to help me and finally after almost 1,5 hour, the permission was found! Everything seemed to be organised perfectly! They felt a bit ashamed when they handed over the permission. It had been there all the time... I knew I wouldn't get in trouble now when I was at the border. Everyone knew me here. Although the old nuclear power plant is not at a border, it's protected and guarded by the Lithuanian Border Guard Services: they are specialised in protecting strategical objects, and this is one as well. After getting my permission, I drove in the direction of the Tripoint. I parked near a former border crossing between Tilžė (LT) and Карасіна (BY) and walked back to the tripoint.

	Nuclear power plant The enterance of the former nuclear power plant near Visaginas. This power plant was built in the 1970's by Russia and provided once 80% of the total power needs of Lithuania. It was closed in 2009 due to a decission of the EU. What happens now in this huge complex is not clear to me. It's however a strategic object and therefore protected by the BG. I only took this picture, I didn't want to get troubles with the authorities on the area. On the internet, you will find many pictures of this plant.
	Road in Tilžė On my way from Visaginas to the tripoint I drove to the former border crossing near Tilžė. The traffic signs are not up-to-date anymore: they still indicate there is a road to the bordercrossing to Belarus but it's closed ever since the separation.
	End of the road The former border crossing road ends as a sand road in the woods. The road to the left leads to the border. I had to walk from here, the road was blocked by a ditch with a narrow bridge for pedestrians. At the right the "Valstybés sienos apsaugos zona" sign. This means the state border protection zone, which you are only allowed to enter with permission. Which I had, finally.
	Tripoint LV-BY-LT A 40 minutes' hike along the border brought me to this tripoint. To have some freedom around here, you need a Latvian and Lithuanina permission. A Belarusian permission you won't get, as it is only allowed to cross the border on the offical border crossings. This picture is on the heart. Three nice border poles, one of each country. In the front you can see the last pair of border poles between Lativa and Belarus. On the right the little monument on Belarusian side. I will come later on that.
	Close up A close-up of the Bealrusian pole. The text on the sign XXXX is the name of the closest village.
	Overview Overview from the Lituanian side.On the left is Latvia, all covered by woods. On the right a view into Belarus. The little monument with three flagpoles (when will they ever be used...?), an inspection road with a gate and the always present traffic signs on Belarusian inspection roads.
	Belarusian side A closer look at the Belarusian side of the tipoint.
	Monument BY A close up of the monument. I could only see two sides of it. The last side may only be visible from the Belarusian side, I guess. On each side the distance to the capitol of the three countries is mentioned. I could discover: Riga 211 Km., Vilnius 140 Km. Probably the third side mentions the distance between here and Minsk as the crow flies. (approx. 207 Km).
	Lithuanian side The Lithuanian side is free accessable until these nice wood carving monuments. It looks like each year one new statute is placed.
	More statutes The statutes are standing in one big circle. The Lithuanians did not forget to place a "Valstybés sienos apsaugos zona" marker. The real tripoint is not accessable without a special permission.
	Close up A close up of the newest statute. Dedicated to 95th anniversary of the "Valstybés sienos apsaugos Tarnybai" (State Border Guard Service) in 2015.
	Latvian side On the Latvian side of this threepoint, there is no special attention to this special point. The border is like everywhere else, I followed it until the last pair of poles, 387. Here is a didge on the border.
	Latvian side Al last look from the Latvia side, where I walked close to the edge of the wood. I guess I was in the 10-meter zone, but no one was there to visit and check me. Only silence and many many horse-flies and mosquitoes. Mind the Belarusian traffic sign, announcing a U-turn. From here I walked along the LT-BY border to the Druksias lake. Report of that hike on the next pages. Next page >>

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