Moi! This is my first blog post ever! Ever! We spent the year end holidays in Finland, and while there, we did a little road trip to the Baltic neighbours Estonia and Latvia. I had visited Latvia's capital Riga only once before, back in 1993, so it was very interesting to see how well the city had recovered from the damage of the Soviet era.
Tallinn ahoy!
The trip was a lot of fun, although I caught the cold on the way. We went bobsleighing in Sigulda, Latvia (what an incredibly intense experience!!!), relaxed in the spas of Pärnu, Estonia (our hotel even had a Japanese hot bath), and we ate a lot of good but affordable food (including, incidentally, Hesburger).
Meat shop in Riga Central Market, "Europe's largest market and bazaar".
It was uplifting to see how well Riga is doing now, the last time the city felt just sad and gloomy. It was strange to see so many Finnish brands and businesses this time around, though. Old Riga, like its counterpart Vanalinn in Tallinn, had been restored beautifully. Many of the flamboyant houses of Riga's Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) quarter were also back in their original glory. A visit to the KGB Corner House was quite a shocker, though; the brutality of communism still managed to surprise me.
I was wary of pickpockets and thugs in advance, but in reality the people were really helpful and hospitable. Big thanks especially to Lido Atputas Centrs and how they handled the situation when my wife got some sudden health trouble. Outstanding! The food was also great! In general, I would really like to visit some day again, but the next time it will definitely be during the summer season.
It would've been fun to skate on the decks.
Riga Old Town
Nativity of Christ Cathedral
Visiting the Skyline Bar. I had to take this photo through the window glass, but as a bonus I got three sunsets instead of one.
Riga Black Balzams cocktail. Riga's black balsam is a herbal elixir that cures cold and helps with digestive trouble and any other problems of life (save for alcoholism). I liked it especially with black currant juice.
St. Peter's Church
Sunset over Riga.
Cēsu is the oldest brewery in Baltic and Nordic countries.
Estonian morning.
Sunrise over Pärnu Bay.
Back in my home village in Finland again.