Where is the liverwurst in Latvia?

We have made it to Riga the capital of Lativa and staying at the Old Riga Palace Hotel in the old part of the city. They even put on a parade for us - not really, we arrived on Independence Day and it is a public holiday with the celebration of the separation from USSR.  They had a military parade in the main street, which was good, but at 3 degrees hanging around for an hour was freezing.

 

 

The old city is lovely and is famous for being the best example of Art Nouveau architecture. The buildings are magnificent and have been well restored and we enjoyed walking around the ancient buildings and the Art Nouveau precinct.

 

 

 

 

Latvia has its own currency, the lat, even though they are members of the EU and may move to the Euro in 2014. The lat is even more expensive to the Euro and prices seem slightly higher.

 

Managed to find an Irish pub to watch the England v Australia rugby and there would have been about 10 lost expat souls watching the game. Soccer is the sport of choice here and the remaining 10 TVs were showing different soccer games. After the game wandered the old city as it was lit up with light art works on the buildings and a general happy feeling about the place, with the families all out and about.

Breakfast at the hotel was buffet style and Michael was beside himself when he saw that they served champagne and vodka shots.  He keeps telling me that when in a country we must adopt their customs so it was with great reluctance that I had a glass of champagne with breakfast.  I guess tomorrow it will have to be a vodka shot.  The things I do.

Well you know that a place is medieval when the people turn up to the fireworks display and they are carrying torches i.e. the type you would have at a BBQ on a pole that are oil based, not a flashlight. Michael felt that if any pitchforks appear it may be best to head for the train.

The fireworks display was excellent along the river and it appeared the whole population was out to watch them. After they finished, we continued our walk around the city to enjoy the atmosphere.

Leaving for Vilnius at midday, as today is a public holiday in Riga so not much is open. We got to see the markets, which were upgraded by the purchase of old German Blimp sheds from WW1. These were converted to huge market buildings. Visited the Academy of Science that had an observation deck at level 17. A Stalinist style building, which was a gift from the CCCP to Riga.