|
Riga, Latvia
Here's how the Slide Show
works:
Click on the thumbnail pics that appear in a row above the enlarged pic
(the
first thumbnail). Click on each of the thumbnails and the enlarged
version
will appear below.
After you've looked at the 4 thumbnails, click on the right arrow 4
times,
bringing up 4 new thumbnails and then click on each of the thumbnails
and the enlarged version will appear below.
Then click on the right arrow 4 times, bringing up 4 new thumbnails and
click
on each of the thumbnails and the enlarged version will appear below.
And so on.........
|
|
Riga, Latvia August 26
We arrived in port at 10am to cloudy, drizzly skies. Our excursion was not until 1:15pm, so we had some juice and read until we had an early lunch at the outside Grill. Our guide, Galina, was mediocre, with relatively poor English and spoke so low that only those closest to her could hear. The tour was 3 1/2 hours and started with a 1/2 hour bus drive through Riga to see the various periods of architecture as Latvia went through its own succession of ruling countries. This part was quite interesting and we saw some of the embassies and other significant buildings.
We then got out to walk past the German National Opera (guess what period!) and walked along the canal through the park to see the Freedom Monument and the changing of the guard. There was a bridge over the canal where newlyweds attach locks with their names and wedding dates engraved to the iron railing. Then they throw the keys into the canal to symbolize that their love is forever. The bus then took us to the parking lot for Riga's Old Town and we walked for 3 hours through the streets touching on various churches, the Riga Castle (home and offices of the President), a cathedral with one of the largest pipe organs in the world (not open due to restoration, so that was disappointing). The rain started in the last 45 minutes of the walk and we headed back to the ship somewhat damp (we always have an umbrella in my bag, so not too damp) about 5pm for the all aboard at 5:30pm. We did not care for Riga as much as Tallin. It was not as bright, clean and happy, as if it had been more difficult to shake off the dinginess of Communism.
We had dinner at Red Ginger, with some new to us dishes, although Daryl always likes the Tom Ka Gai soup. We headed to bed knowing that we would gain an hour.
