Jurmala

Very often politicians come up with the idea of officially merging Jurmala to Riga. Jurmala is a natural extension of Riga and is a long and narrow city at the Western edge of Riga Gulf.

Baltic Ivy (hedera helix)

This is a first evergreen ivy I found (in fact my mom noticed it) in the wild near Riga - in Jurmala. The winters can be harsh, therefore this must be very winter hardy because it has climbed some 4-5 metres above the ground.

Sound proof

This is one thing you can see very often in Western Europe - sound proof walls on roads to prevent noise pollution. In Latvia I have seen them so far only on recently built South Bridge.

Barge in Andrejsala

A wooden foot-bridge. The people you see there are having a wedding party.

Piens - Milk - the night club

Say "No" to the credit cards.

If it is too loud, you are too old.

This is one of the recent additions to night club scenery of Riga.

Central Market

Lets have a closer look at a Central Market - just after the closure. Behind me is one of the central pedestrian lines.

Central Market

You can see the access ramp to the Central Market underground storage. When Riga receives Northern winds and the water of Daugava river is blown back from Baltic see, the water is up to where you can see those vans.

Windowsills

Brighten up your and your beloved one's day - buy some flowers.

Photo taken on Lahchplehsha (Lāčplēša) and Barona street corner.

In the underground tunnel

... a tile or few missing, and some of people here are very strange and zombie alike. Am I right?

Spiral stairs

External fire stairs are one of the least popular things in Riga, that is why it is interesting to observe this Stockmann attempt on that.

Naive Art Museum in Andrejsala

All sorts of alternative movements are alowed to happen in Andrejsala. It is not busy busy, but it is different form other parts of Riga.

Riga Gulff

There is one place in the city centre open to the public, where you can actually see the narrow strip of the Baltic Sea. In Summer time it is just about where the sun settles its way over the horizon.

GODVIL

What happens when god and evil join their forces? Look at the screen on the wall - a night club Godvil is born - a recent addition to Riga night life industry.

The sky looks rather demonic as well.

Lapene, Pagoda in Kronvalda park

This far East looking shed in Kronvalda park, actually, is a gift from Suczhou (China) to Riga.

Predicting the future

Wall drawing from soviet times are getting more and more rare. This was painted at least 20 years ago before Tom Tom was invented...

Legs up in the air

Here is another terrace. I hope those shoes fit tight on their feet.

What a shame I've got shaky hands.

P.S. Riga was flooded today. To see photos click here.

Smoking on terrace

A terrace with a checkerboard pattern, which is well known Masonic symbol. It does not mean though that every checkerboard is built by Freemasons.

Mākslas Muzejs (Latvian Art Museum)

There are many symbols of Masonic and other secret (or rather not) societies. From this angle it seems that the central figure is wearing a mask. May be it is not and may be, if it is a mask, it has nothing to do with occult. Who knows.

I'll post another symbol tomorrow.

People resting at the Riga Canal

Not much to comment, really, apart from that this is a heart of Riga.

New trolleys

In this is photo it's not just trolleys that are new. The method of advertising OLive (what ever that is) is sort of a novelty as well. The banner is put on a mobile trolley that can be moved around or parked anywhere in the city.

Divine art (Chiekurkalns)

The building is covered in coloured and grey small stones. It is a church. I have been in it some 15 years ago. It was the time when I had many questions about god, religion and spirituality. I was in my teens and thought... I had impression that someone has got the answers. I like the design anyway.

Click on the picture (then click All sizes) to enlarge to appreciate the details.

Prague in Riga

An advert of Prague brewer Staropramen on a minivan. Never had it though... didn't even know they are trying to crack the market.

Sharing the weight

- Everything alright, dude?
- Not bad. I think I'll shoot off for a bit.
- You'll be coming back or what?
- Not sure, man, not sure. I've been under pressure far too long...

Sentiment

It reads: "There is a sand beach under the asphalt". This is a voice of collective urban subconsciousness.

Accordion

Elderly people gather at the bus stop either to hear a song or just wait for their transport in Jugla.

Architectural fashion

A house with a hat. Built in soviet times... nevertheless in style. Or may be it has a practical application.

Brivibas and Gertrudes corner

This is very long if not longest central street in Riga - Brīvības (Freedom) boulevard at its beginning. The high rise at far end is a Reval Hotel Latvia with amazing sky bar at the top floor.

Wooden architecture on Dzirnavu street

Three colorful bubbles venturing up (mimicking Latvian real estate market and economy as a whole) against their inevitable future - burst. All bubbles do.

Globuss bakery

I think the inventive glass holder is so cool that you'll forgive me that this photo was taken in a resort city very close to Riga - Sigulda.

Riga Canal boats

There are few options to choose from if you want to stay dry on the water in Riga. They range from water bikes to ferries.

Cool Latvian Blokes II (Kicking off)

Socks can be very telling...