First up Riga, which was a really awesome mix of alternative clubs, soviet museums and a really touristy old town. It was really interesting to see how much this small country had been through in the last hundred years of continuous occupation and just how quickly things were changing
Unlike Tallinn, we managed to get out of the fairy tale old town and go on a 3 hour " alternative free walking tour" run by this recovering drug addict with an attention span of 30 seconds, and it was awesome. We saw the black market market, the russian quarter, the art noveau district as well as a bunch of creative arty areas. We also took the guides advice and tried some local beers which were specially brewed with honey and berries at an out of the way local bar and served by a stern Latvian bar girl, super tasty. As you can see below, Latvians have a really good sense of humour - this statue is on the outside of a building that's currently being renovated :)
The walking tour was so good we though we would take a chance on a bike tour run by the same guy. Miraculously it DID NOT RAIN, and we managed to get further out of the old town and visit the fishermens district, and old warehouse district and some other cool places across the city.
Scotty did slightly struggle with the cobblestones in the old town, and managed to do a face plant in the middle of the busiest tourist street, wrecking her brand new G-star jeans in the process. However, she bravely soldiered on, bleeding knee and all to nearest bar.
On a final night in Riga, we went to a scary warehouse club which was playing minimal and tech trance (which we hate) but it actually ended up being a good night. We met some crazy brits and actually even managed to fit in a dance ( a very slow, very boring minimalist dance). However, this late night did cause us some pain in the morning as we slept though our alarm, waking up at 8.20am when our bus to Vilnius was scheduled to leave at 8.50am. :)
Who knew we could pack and run so fast in that condition :) Vilnius update and photos to come.
Am awaiting photos of the fall :) Doug
ReplyDeleteHi Emma We waited so long for another blog and you have outdone yourself. Too much detail for me to comment on except to say that I get more jealous with each blog. Poor Nikkie and her jeans! Was she still on a bike when she fell? Surely not. I liked the mention of the "black market market" - although sounds a little scary. After Riga I suppose you thought about our little young country with no turmoil and how lucky we are. Well keep at it and hope you don't wear yourselves out. Linda & Bill
ReplyDeleteNo Nicole was not on a bike, just walking along the road. Those streets are very difficult to manage, I don't know how the eastern european girls do it in their super high heels!
ReplyDeleteNo photos of the fall, sorry Dougie. Best we can manage is a photo of the hole in the jeans.
ReplyDelete