Right behind a good old Lada car (a relic from Soviet days). This is the first time, as I can recollect that I have entered a new country by road. Twice I have done by rail (Denmark to Sweden and Germany to Austria) but the rest of them were all by flights.

Regrettably, I have never grown a curiosity nor an appreciation for architecture or long dead people. Most of Europe cities’ charm to other tourists is lost on me. On the other hand, I love the natural beauties that Europe has to offer and of course, the Europeans, in general.

That said, here are some shots from my walk in Old Town Riga.

Overnight this monster had shown up. I ran past this today. First time seeing a cruise ship up, close and personal. They are gargantuan in scale. This one was much, much bigger than the one we went past in the Panama Canal.

Put in a 5K by the river Daugava and Old Town. This marks the 34th country I have put in a 5K or more in.

Tried out a train in Riga to go to the beach.

Have you ever seen a sign like this on a beach? It has clearly marked one side for active recreation and the other for passive recreation!

On this Sunday morning, a soccer match was in full flow on the beach. The average age of the players was clearly 50 or above. For some of them, the jersey could not get past their beer belly. But when it came to soccer, they were all too serious and were giving it their all. Loved the spirit!

The beach is fairly hard and the sand was quite tightly packed. There are dense forests on one side of the beach and the Baltic Sea on the other.

You may remember from my Nov 2023 visit to Nida in Lithuania how angry and cold the Baltic Sea was. Today, in Jurmala, it was as docile and inviting as it could be!

I could not taste any difference (liked both of them) but I understand that the Latvian version has marinated beet (instead of chopped beet) and is not usually had with boiled or fried potatoes like they do in Lithuania. This Pink Soup, served cold, is becoming a favorite of mine. (I have been a big fan of beetroot ever since I was a child)

Came back from the beach and now got on to a boat down river Daugava to check out the shores of Riga

It suddenly became overcast while we were on the boat. The glowing bulb created a nice contrast against the mean looking clouds.

Freebird!! I wonder how their airfares are.

And as we scream down the runway, that is curtains down for this Latvian trip

KLM has delayed us from boarding the plane. For a very unique reason, too.

I have had delayed boarding due to all sorts of reasons – cleaning not done, attendants not arrived, pilots not arrived, plane not arrived, mechanics are still working on a problem, lightning outside, airport closed temporarily, Air Force Two flying in (happened to me once!!) … but never this…

We are all standing inside the terminal in the AC area because apparently inside the plane is too hot now (28 C / 82 F)!!!

I wonder how they will cool down soon. The engines are off (the plane is at the gate). The auxiliary units will take quite some time I presume. Of course, my late dad’s usual suggestion while facing such situations – “open up the doors and windows” is not going to work much either!!