Let's mix it up and fill in some experience gaps: RTW 2015

[Mattg]

Just caught up with your TR and thoroughly enjoying the read. If Colombia wasn't already on my "to do" list, you've certainly piqued my interest now.

 

[JohnM]

I do love the Finnish glass and the fact that it is on Finnair

Posted just for you Uppy .

 

[JohnM]

Trying to post some more pics of Riga. WiFi seems a bit flaky at this hotel. Big conference in progress may have something to do with it.

Square right in the middle of Old Town (World Heritage listed).

 

[JohnM]

Still getting in a loop periodically. I shall persist.



Now where is this famous art nouveau? Look up!

 

[JohnM]

 

[JohnM]

 

[TomVexille]

Great photos

 

[JohnM]

Great photos

Thanks,TV. Considering they're from my phone and not trying anything close, I'm glad they are satisfactory enough to at least convey the general idea.

 

[JohnM]

Jumped into the Software Enhanced (TM) VW Passat rental car and headed out to the NW corner of Latvia today. Dense pine forest, sparsely populated and quite bucolic. A lot of holiday homes, caravan parks and hotels but all very quiet now as summer has pretty much ended (even though the weather is quite mild, albeit cloudy today.)

Another reason for the absence of large towns is that the area was home to major Soviet military bases during the cold war and therefore off-limits to most people.

The pine forest goes right to a fairly narrow beach at the ocean's edge and the road around the coast runs at least 300m from the ocean which is only visible in small glimpses occasionally. Lots of little tracks lead in to houses and shacks tucked into the forest just back from the beach.

The far NW point is notoriously rough where ocean swells meet over a shallow area. A major ship graveyard over the years, apparently.

Not a terrific lot to photograph as it tends to look rather the same, but I'll put up a few pics next post.

One interesting place is a guy's house where he's turned the attic into a collection of about 500 antlers. None are from hunted elk or deer; all are what he picked up in the forest over a working career as a forester/warden.

 

[JohnM]

The NW point where the waters are visibly very mixed up.





I thought this was a little more appealing than a plastic banana, pineapple or lobster.

 

[TomVexille]

Thanks,TV. Considering they're from my phone and not trying anything close, I'm glad they are satisfactory enough to at least convey the general idea.

It's enough to have me adding places to the "must visit" list every time you go somewhere

 

[RooFlyer]

It's enough to have me adding places to the "must visit" list every time you go somewhere

Yes, I find JohnM's Trip Reports quite demanding on my credit card, eventually :evil: .

 

[TomVexille]

Yes, I find JohnM's Trip Reports quite demanding on my credit card, eventually :evil: .

My credit limit doesn't extend that far (thankfully).

And your TRs have the same effect :shock:

 

[JohnM]

Headed S into Lithuania today via the Hill of Crosses in the N central part.







View back through the large window behind the altar of the Franciscan Friary.



Hope this description is readable.

 

[JohnM]

App in a loop again. Trying the description again.



Signs of autumn.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

App in a loop again. Trying the description again.

I can't read the fine print but I do have google (and of course your pictures)... this is amazing.. I have never heard of this before... Thanks JohnM again your Trip Reports are inspiring

 

[JohnM]

I can't read the fine print but I do have google (and of course your pictures)... this is amazing.. I have never heard of this before... Thanks JohnM again your Trip Reports are inspiring

Speaking of TRs, Uppy, where is one from you on your latest little jaunt . Or have I missed something?

 

[amaroo]

Nice report. Interesting mix of places and photos.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Speaking of TRs, Uppy, where is one from you on your latest little jaunt . Or have I missed something?

Sorry JohnM... I was too busy enjoying myself lol... Besides it was a bit short for a trip report... maybe I can do a little post script to the first one... It was fantastic... especially the accommodation... Ok.. I'll do it! Thank you for the encouragement

 

[Canada]

This trip report had me mesmerized. Thanks!