"Riga, my old sweetheart" DynamoNL's Profile

The Riga expirience

To me Riga is like an old friend.
I met her some years ago, frankly by accident.
From that time she's allways with me.
Together with Tallinn the greatest surprise of
all my travels ever.
If you ever go there you know why.
And I've seen new york and the Rocky Mountains.
All great in their own right.
But this Baltic cities took my heart and changed it forever.
Be Brave, Be Baltic !

My own private Milda

A new toy for tourists is a little statue of Milda.
Of cource I couldn't resist.
She stands at my home happily next to her big
sis from Liberty Island.

TV tower

Riga's TV tower

By far the highest I'm shure is the Riga TV
tower close to the Lido restaurant.
And to speak about Lido.
If you don't know this restaurant based at
Krasta iela 76, you haven't been in Riga.

The famous Lido Restaurant

Lido restaurant

Restaurant owner Gunars Kirsons was the
first one who got permission from the
Russian occupiers to open a thing like
this . It was actually the first free enterprise
of Latvia, and if you want to meet just nice
Latvian people go there, it is full of it.
The food is also good, great variety and
very affordeble. Real Latvian specialities
among other types of food.

The Opera

Riga's Opera House

Riga is certainly not just another city.
Don't make me angry by thinking that.
I've seen many cities believe me.
This is a 900 years old grand old lady.
Another proof of that is this wonderfull
oprea house at Aspazijas bulvaris 3.
The original opera house at Riga, Latvia was constructed in 1863, but the structure burned down in 1882. The present house, the Latvian National Opera, was built in 1887. In 1920 the theatre saw the production of the first true Latvian opera, Banuta, by Alfreds Kalnius (1879-1951). From 1940, during the Soviet period, the house was known as the State Ballet and Opera Theatre of the Latvian SSR, but the name was restored to the Latvian National Opera in 1990.

Inside the opera

interior of Riga's opera

Riga's opera is considered one of the most
beautifull opera buildings in Europe.
See for yourself.
This is the interior and stage.

Take the train

Riga's railway bridge

So now you saw a bit of Riga, take the train
to see the rest of this beautifull country.
If you're lucky you come across this great railway bridge over the Daugava.
Uz redzesanos .

by train from Riga to Sigulda

Railway station Sigulda

One of my wishes this year was to go by train in Latvia.
Just a little trip from Riga to sigulda.
I know this train system is rather different from my own in
Holland so that's the expierence.
And I liked it very much altough not fast, but who cares
when on holiday.You buy just a ticket at Riga raiway station,
and go. You receipt is just your ticket, very economic.
The staion platforms are just what they made for, to get on the
train. Other then I'm used to where platforms are a jungle of
everything I don't want or need.
Go to see the castles of Sigulda !

Intro Updated Dec 23, 2010
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Comments (9)

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hunterV Sep 20, 2012 at 9:33 AM

Many happy returns of the day, Ben!)
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hunterV Jan 8, 2012 at 1:09 AM

Hello, Ben! Happy New Year 2012! You have created interesting stories and travelogues! ><><><>< Happy travels in the future!~
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pieter_jan_v Sep 20, 2010 at 11:00 AM

Gefeliciteerd. PJ
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Karolina01 Jan 21, 2010 at 3:38 PM

Hello Ben, thank you for the greetings. I whish you all the best to you too. I haven't openned VT for so long.
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LanaFromRiga Sep 20, 2008 at 8:20 AM

Happy Birthday! Greetings and congratulations from Riga!
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La_Holandesa May 15, 2006 at 1:51 PM

Heyy Leuke Week van de Zee T-Shirt Ben!! :o) Toepasselijk thema dit jaar: Op Reis :o) Happy travels and welcome here!! Greeetz Anita :)
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IngaA Aug 5, 2005 at 7:38 AM

Thanks for your nice comments and welcome to Ukraine :)
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OlafS Nov 3, 2004 at 11:08 PM

When I was in Riga buying a Latvian flag was very easy. Strange that it isn't anymore.
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Shofja Sep 20, 2004 at 12:43 AM

Happy birthday! :-) Greetings from Riga! Ingrida.