11 June 2026 It’s a little unsettling to look back across the map of my travels. Not because of how many places I’ve been, but how easily some of them blur at the edges. I revisit them through old photos and my travel movies. Vivid memories do return, but often Read more
8-10 June 2026
My journey to Sweden began at Tallinn’s Bussijaam, where I boarded Bus No. 2 to the airport. True to Estonia’s reputation for efficiency, it departed and arrived exactly on schedule. Buying a ticket was a small adventure in itself. There were no ticket offices or machines in sight, so I simply tapped my credit card on the bus, received a reassuring green light, and took a seat, trusting that the system somehow knew I had paid despite providing no ticket or receipt.
(more…)8 June 2026
What an amazing exploration as I traveled through the Baltic countries of Lithuania (Vilnius, Kaunas, Siauliai) Latvia (Riga) and Estonia (Tallinn). Some experiences a repeat performance from my 2009 trip, other stops were new. Eleven days crammed with history, culture, cuisine and tasty ales.
6 June 2026
Tallinn has a way of blending centuries together. On this cool June day, the heavy scent of lilacs drifted through the parks and streets while Old Town seemed transformed into a medieval fair, with costumed performers, market stalls, and crowds gathering beneath ancient towers and walls.
(more…)5 June 2026
Pinky swear: it seems the hardest part of visiting the Baltic states involves remembering that Riga sits in Latvia and Tallinn sits in Estonia. Don’t know why this becomes such a challenge for me. Previously, I traveled to both cities – I should know this geographical fact by now.
4 June 2026
Riga invites one to walk without much of a plan, guided less by a map than by whatever catches the eye above street level or just around the corner. Architecture alone would be reason enough – it’s centuries stacked in stone, brick, and ornament.
Statues appear in the middle of squares as if mid-conversation, walls quietly host bursts of modern color and commentary, and rooftops sprout cats with attitude. Strolling becomes a slow drift through styles, stories, and small surprises, best enjoyed slowly.
3 June 2026
2009 Sunday, August 30th I wrote:
Today finds me entering the harbor of Riga with its skyline of church spires and bridges. No one is in the terminal and I am unaware I am an illegal alien without a Visa. I ride a bus to city center,and walk to my little B&B Hotel Circus.
Not much English but I understand the landlady wants my Visa; she understands I don’t have one. But, I get my little room. Almost a cell and like being locked in, reminding me Latvia was Communist not long ago. I immediately walked to the old city square….”
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