After Krakow, I took an express inter-city train (2nd class 107PLN=Euro$20) to Warsaw to catch a connecting Eurolines bus (Euro$38) from the Warszawa Centralna train station to Riga, Latvia in the Baltics. The train departed Krakow around 14.00 arriving Warsaw at 16.55 (3 hrs). The train was travelling at an average speed of 175km per hour and it was pretty comfortable. On arrival, I waited for 2.50 hours before boarding the Eurolines bus (Euro$38) at 19.30.
I arrived at Riga in the early morning and with the help of a Korean resident, I was able to find my hostel ie Dome Pearl (Euro$9 dorm) after walking for 20 minutes in the centre of the Old Riga city. It was not an easy walk as all the streets in Old Riga are paved with cobbled stones and it was quite strenuous if you are using a luggage trolley.
Riga has a population of about 800,000 and has been described as the big boy of the Baltics, very much influenced by Russia in the old days. About 40% of their population are of Russian origin.
The city centre is in Old Riga, which is near the Daugava River. Old Riga has three well known churches ie St Peters, Dome Cathedral and St Jacob's.
1) Country homes in Riga, Latvia: small, cosy and colorful houses to admire.
2) Old Riga (Old Town): a World Heritage site which retains most of the German buildings built in the 17th century. The Dome Cathedral is a 13th - 18th century blend of architecture. Behind the Riga bus station is the busy Central Market, semi-structured buildings (5 big zeppelin hangars) where I shopped for my food & groceries. A bronze statue with four animated figures of a cockerel, dog, wild boar standing on top of each other captivated most passers-by. A number of petty traders were seen plying their trade at the old market selling various souvenirs to tourists.
3) Churches: St John's, St Peter's, St Jacob's church - most of these churches were built in the 12th century.
4) House of Blackheads - owned by the Great Guild , this 15th century Gothic house was destroyed in 1941 and was rebuilt in 2001. Blackheads was an old organization of unmarried merchants from various towns in Baltics.
5) Semi-circular Akmens bridge: linking the old and new Riga city across the cold and chilly Daugava River. A tall telecommunication tower can be seen from the bridge.
6) Freedom Monument: topped by a bronze statute of Liberty holding three stars representing the historic regions of Kurzeme, Latgale & Vidzeme.
7) Statutes in Old Riga and parks
8) History & Art Museums, National Opera House, Guild houses & Government buildings in Riga
Something to ponder in Riga: Riga, Latvia, The Baltics, The old Prussians! What do Malaysians know about this country? I am glad to have set foot on this smallish city in the far north of Europe. So much to learn about the Baltics, its people, the history & the culture. By now, I had crossed the half way mark in this adventurous trip and an old clock which I spotted in one of the old Gothic buildings is ticking, reminding me to keep up with the time .......... "
" Latvia has an interesting history. The Baltic tribes, the Knights of the Swords, Ivan the Terrible, Russian Bolsheviks, Nazi Germany & Red Army - what had they done to Latvia ? Latvia achieved its full independence on 21 August 1991 and held its first democratic elections in June 1993. A happy ending for a small Baltic country !
The Secret of Life - Maintain a youthful spirit "
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