Riga

Hello from Riga, the Paris of the north. It is also meant to be the most beautiful capital of the Baltic states, filled with Art Nouveau architectures that guide book after guide book advise walking around with a travel pillow permanently attached to your neck. We're only here for 1 ½ days so the itinerary is very compact. But given the small size of the Vecrīga (Old Town) you should have no trouble fitting in most of the attractions in a very short time.

Here are the points from Riga:

1 point goes to the cobblestone streets. Though very pretty to look at, they are a pain to walk on & drag your luggage around. I guess that's the same with most European cities?

2 points go to Rigas Pils (Riga Castle). The exterior looked very good from Pilslaukums but that's pretty much it. You're not allowed to enter and the exterior from the river side is also only so so. My friends passed it without paying too much notice. It, however, houses the Museum of Latvian History & the Museum of Foreign Arts for the culture-vulture types.

3 points go to the Three Brothers (Mazā Pils 17, 19 & 21). Essentially the Riga-equivalent of the Tallinn Three Sisters, they're just a trio of old houses.

4 points go to the Laima Clock. Most guide books will lead you to the Laima Clock situated to the southwest of the Freedom Monument (see points), especially when it is illuminated at night. We, however, managed to pass it ½ dozen times without even noticing its existence. For those wanting to sight this clock must keep their eyes wide open.

5 points go to the Zviedru varti (Swedish Gate). If you're expecting a drandious structure like a Chinese pailau you'd be bitterly disappointed. It literally is just a passageway by the side of Torna iela. If it wasn't for my keen observant eyes I'd passed it without notice.

6 points go to the Centrāltirgus (Central Market). It's a 5-hall market selling everything from fresh meat, fresh cheese, fresh produce, fresh baked goods (catch the drift?), some souvenirs, daily goods (manchester) & a couple of bargain supermarkets. The foods in there are incredibly cheap (especially having just came down south from Scandinavia, see 10 points) but like most market halls the security can be a bit of an issue. Keep you wallets & valuables close.

7 points go to the Freedom Monument. It is quite an impressive monument, especially set to a clear blue sky. You can practically see it from forever away along Kalku iela.

8 points go to Sv. John & Sv. Pētera luterānu baznica (St John & St Peter Basilicas). The exterior of St Peter is quite stunning, though if you don't pay attention it can be easily mistaken for the Doma luterānu baznica down the street. You can also catch the statue of Roland outside St Peter.

9 points go to the Cat House (Mneistaru iela 19). It's a famous landmark here in Riga and you can see the cat on the roof but the yellow building itself is actually quite spectacular. Managing to photograph it all in one go can, however, be quite a challenge.

10 points go to Riga's cheap eats. Food is such a bargain here. These palmieres form the Central market, for example, were only 0.16, 0.17, 0.18 Lats each. We managed to get a full set of breakfast (4 palmieres, a cake & a danish) for less than 1 Lat.

And finally, 12 points go to the whole Old Town itself. The buildings are truly spectacular and you'll never be short of a photo-op. Literally every corner that you take you'd find a new, spectacular building to gaze up & photograph. The Kronvalda park is also very spectacular.

Next stop is Praha so I'll 'Czech' you later, ha ha :D