travel zen on friday: the first christmas tree

Happy Christmas, everyone! Do you know where the first Christmas tree was erected?

top sights to visit in the baltics to see remnants of the ussr

As a child of the 80s, I remember more than Aquanet, Jelly shoes and acid-washed jeans. I also distinctly remember the fall of the USSR. You know, that giant of a country that once had a cold war with the US. If, like me, you hold some kind of weird fascination for the former USSR, you're probably aware that the Baltics (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) were made part of the USSR.

Although many traces of the USSR have been scrubbed as much as possible in the Baltics, some people have been trying to preserve some sites to provide a painful but useful reminder to not repeat mistakes of the past.

These sites are a perfect reminder of that painful period in the Baltics.

traveling the baltics with ecolines

How easy is it to travel around the Baltics? Very.

A comfortable journey.

Obviously, one can fly between the main hubs (e.g., Vilnius to Tallinn). Although that is a quicker way to travel, a cheaper but still comfortable way to go is via bus. Ecolines is a company that provides seamless travel in the Baltics region. 

riga eats: chocolates at emils gustavs and laima

Chocolate Truffles at Emils Gustavs.

Who knew that Riga has two big chocolatiers? I certainly did not. 

travel zen on friday: riga, latvia

Riga.

Old town Riga around dusk.

travel zen on friday: sunset in riga

Riga

I took this picture from the Bastejkalns just outside the old town city walls of Riga, Latvia. I loved how the sky changed colors during sunset. No photo manipulation here.

restaurant review: 3 pavaru restorans in riga, latvia

3 Pavaru.

Prior to embarking on my solo trip to the Baltics, I made a few searches on the interwebs for places to eat. That research resulted in me checking out 3 Pavaru Restorans in Riga. Apparently, the restaurant was the brain child of three highly acclaimed local chefs. That could be good.... or bad. So, this is what happened.

travel zen on friday: riga, latvia

A view of Riga Latvia. Lots of history here, such as:

restaurant review: biblioteka no. 1 in riga, latvia

Biblioteka No. 1.

During my short stay in Riga, there were a few places I wanted to visit. I also had to juggle where to eat and when. Biblioteka No. 1 was normally only open for dinner -- except on Sundays, when they served brunch. So, I decided to brunch it.

The Scene

Inside the restaurant.

travel zen on friday: old town riga, latvia

Winter sunset in Riga. A view of old town and Vansu Bridge.