Aros Museum of Art
11. heinäkuuta 2017, Tanska ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Mostly contemporary art. At the top of the building is that large circular rainbow. Several pictures are from inside the rainbow. I found the changing light disorienting.
Vilnius Old Town
14. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
A view over the old town. City hall. Lithuania was late later n conversion to Christianity. Signs of paganism still remain, such as the goddess of hunting an forests riding on a bear and sun symbolsLue lisää
Uzupis
14. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Another "independent" area, this time in Vilnius. Originally artists, bohemians, etc. It has it own constitution, translated into 20 languages so far. One example of local artist's work is JesusLue lisää
Vilnius churches
14. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Vilnius ius a city of churches. Most are Catholic/Uniate. And a couple orthodox. Here's a sampling.
Gates of Dawn
14. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Old gates into the city. First from the outside and then from the inside.
Kernave
15. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
First capital of Lithuania and an archaeological site. 5 mounds/hill forts surrounded by a village. There is a view from the top of the highest mound and from down by the river contemplating no needLue lisää
Trakai castle
16. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Anothger former capital of Lithuania, this time a restored castle. Seen from across the lake, the outer bailey, drawbridge and portculis to the keep over the space between the wall of the outer baileyLue lisää
Druskininkai
17. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Lithuania's most popular resort city due to natural mineral springs. Not much else, although the massage was worth it. View from the cable car over the river and approaching the city and a church.
Arija Restbergs
Are you taking pictures of the stain glass windows they should be awesome
Pazaislis Monastery near Kaunas
18. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ 🌬 18 °C
Spectacular octagonal church building with hexagonal nave (columns fill the extra). Lots of marble. 4 side chapels betweem columns plus narthex and chancel.
Hill of Crosses
19. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
This is just what it says--a hill covered with hundreds of thousands of crosses. This is a major pilgrimage site and political symbol of resistance during the Soviet era. I was given a cross of oilveLue lisää
Hill of Witches
20. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
A walk in the woods with extensive wood carvings. I'll post a few here.
Curonian spit
20. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
This is essentially a barrier island much like a lot of the Jersey shore. It is around 100 miles long. Unlike New Jersey, it is mostly undeveloped, wooded and protected. You get a sense for theLue lisää
Palongas botanic park
21. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Lovely, well manicured park. Includes the mansion with an amber museum and birantes dune, largest on the coast. It has a small chapel on top--the picture of the icon was taken through the locked door.Lue lisää
Palongas Beach
21. heinäkuuta 2017, Liettua ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Soft, white sand beach on the Baltic. The first 2 pics are taken from out on the pier. The others on a dune, about at the end of what you can see frtom the pier.
Leipaja, Latvia
21. heinäkuuta 2017, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Visiting new friends in Latvia, a look at the beach about a block from their home and the Ghost Tree, a sculpture on a park across the street from their home. Arija and Astrid were most gracious hostsLue lisää
Arija RestbergsSkip than k you for stopping in Liepaja and seeing my relatives. It brings back memories. Did you get pedinas?
Kolka point
22. heinäkuuta 2017, Latvia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Out at the tip of Latvia where the Baltic Sea meets the Bay of Riga. Pics from the treetops showing the Baltic one way and the Latvian forest the other. Pics up and down the beach taken from offLue lisää
Rundales Palace Gardens
23. heinäkuuta 2017, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Spectacular formal garden. The roses were amazing--hundreds, if not thousands of varieties. The was a small amphitheater, and I did walk the labyrinth.
Arija RestbergsI missed this place when my mother and I went to Latvia. I see I missed some gorgeous roses and gardens. Paldies ( thanks)
Rundales Palace
23. heinäkuuta 2017, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Summer palace from the 18th century in rococo style. That's the main entrance followed by the main reception/throne room, the ball room and a few others. Way too many pictures to post here
Arija RestbergsI'm glad my house is not that big! I have enough problems cleaning this small one
Riga
25. heinäkuuta 2017, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Of the cities I've visited so far, Riga is the most highly vegetated--trees, parks, gardens, etc. It creates a nice ambience. The center of town is the Freedom Monument, built in the 1930s duringLue lisää
Arija RestbergsGlad you had a good time. I hope you have tried the rye and dark rye breads. To me they are the best!
Cesis medieval castle
26. heinäkuuta 2017, Latvia ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C
Another medieval castle, partially restored. Pics are of the castle and courtyard. The original altar from the 16th century was found and reset. The girl in the pic is standing on stairs at the smallLue lisää
St John's Church, Cesis
26. heinäkuuta 2017, Latvia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Begun in the 13th century and much of the orighinal is preserved. Pics show the sanctuary, the architecture, the structure an the "Alfreds Kalnins" organ
Kindergarten
26. heinäkuuta 2017, Latvia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
This is the kindergarten in Cesis, known as the Mengela House. I just thought that this looked like a cool building for a kindergarten.
Kuressaare
28. heinäkuuta 2017, Viro ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
skip's retirement travelThere are way too many birthday greetings to respond to each one, and I am immensely grateful for them all. So I'll take advantage of the time difference (7 hours to the east coast) to thank you all while you sleep. It is now 8:00 AM in Estonia. I had a nice birthday dinner at La Perla, a restaurant owned by an expat from Boston. Thanks again for remembering me.
Tallinn old town hall square
30. heinäkuuta 2017, Viro ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Center is town since the 13th century. The large building with the tower is the city hall, dating from that time.
Tallinn
30. heinäkuuta 2017, Viro ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
With apologies to my Latvian friends, I find Tallinn' s old town the most interesting of the 3 Baltic capitals. There seems to be more that is old and original. Here is a view over the old town, someLue lisää