Rock Church
5. heinäkuuta 2022, Suomi ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
It’s difficult to convey the interior of Helsinki’s Temppeliaukio Church. It’s built deep into the bedrock. The roof slats made me feel like I was standing under a huge mushroom. It’s aLue lisää
Riverwalk in Riga
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Perfect day to stroll by the river in Riga, Latvia.
Big Christopher
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
The following text is from a plaque:
LEGEND OF RIGA
"Once upon a time, long ago, before the city of Riga was founded, a tall strong, man named Lielais Kristaps (Big Christopher) carried people acrossLue lisää
Strolling through history
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Crones on Brooms
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
It’s been ages since I read Joseph Campbell, but did he ever touch on the preponderance of crones on brooms around the world? (This one reminds me of Italy’s La Befana, but I see similar ones inLue lisää
Bread flavored ice cream?
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
I’m on a quest to find black rye bread flavored ice cream here in Riga today, but so far I’m striking out. There’s also a dessert featuring cranberries and dark rye bread that intriguesLue lisää
Amber jewelry
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
When traveling, photos and journal are my main souvenirs. That said, when we come across local artisans selling regionally made items, I like to buy a trinket or two.
Today we stumbled upon a smallLue lisää
Freedom Way
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
The legacy of war and oppression is everywhere you look in Riga, Latvia. Larry and I saw several canons repurposed by doorways as we wandered through the old part of town.
Riga offers many museumsLue lisää
Astronomical Clock
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
I’m a sucker for a nice astronomical clock.
Freaked out Madonna
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Is it just me, or does the Madonna look a little freaked out by this child?
House of the Blackheads
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Starting in 1334, men belonging to an organization called “The Blackheads” lived in this fanciful looking building. The Blackheads were young, unmarried merchants, sea captains, and goldsmiths.Lue lisää
Controversial Statue
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
The Latvian Riflemen Monument is a controversial landmark here in Riga. Some Latvians consider it a Communist statue. Others see it as an homage to the citizens who fought in World War I.
Riga
4. heinäkuuta 2022, Latvia ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
First glimpse of Riga, Latvia. Looks like there’s lots to “a-spire” to!
Baltic Sea Sunset
3. heinäkuuta 2022, Baltic Sea ⋅ 🌙 66 °F
Pigeon Post
3. heinäkuuta 2022, Liettua ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Citizens of Klaipeda sent mail via postal pigeons right up until 1930.
There’s even a unique species with a distinctive pink chest called the Klaipeda Pigeon.
I saw references to this pigeonLue lisää
Lithuania’s only port
3. heinäkuuta 2022, Liettua ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Greetings from the oldest city in Lithuania! Klaipeda was originally an insult meaning “bread eater,” but no one seems bothered by the moniker now.
Bat-shaped awning
3. heinäkuuta 2022, Liettua ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
I need to find out the story behind this bat-shaped awning in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Intriguing!
Could be a good Larry project back home, don’t ya think?
Anna…
3. heinäkuuta 2022, Liettua ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
I know her name is “Ann,” but beyond that I’m not sure. I often kinda space out when taking photos. It’s like I can’t fully see and hear at the same time.
Does that ever happen to you?Lue lisää
Baltic Gold
3. heinäkuuta 2022, Liettua ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Amber is known as “Baltic Gold.” In its heyday, the Amber road ran from here all the way down to Venice.
Baltic Amber was even found in King Tut’s tomb!
This photo is of a display at anLue lisää
Land of Blondes & Bikes
1. heinäkuuta 2022, Tanska ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Skagen: Land of Blondes and Bikes
At the northernmost tip of Denmark you can walk to the tip of a sandbar and see exactly where the Baltic Sea meets the North Sea. This sandbar is just outside theLue lisää
Skagen Cemetery
1. heinäkuuta 2022, Tanska ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Much like the town itself, Skagen’s city cemetery is extremely tidy. Crisply trimmed hedges define each plot, and wide paths laid out at right angles allow bicycles and pedestrians to easily passLue lisää
Out of Africa
1. heinäkuuta 2022, Tanska ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Have you ever read “Out of Africa”? Maybe you saw the movie adaptation of this book?
The book was written in Skagen, Denmark by Baroness Karen Christenze von Blixen-Finecke, although if you’reLue lisää
Skagen Kirke
1. heinäkuuta 2022, Tanska ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Unsurprisingly, Skagen Kirke (Skagen Church), is painted the traditional shade of yellow called “Skagen yellow” that I mentioned in my previous post.
The church dates from 1910, and like manyLue lisää
Offline Travel Journal
27. kesäkuuta 2022, North Sea ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
Do you keep a physical journal when you travel? I do! It makes a nice keepsake, plus it helps me compost my experiences and keep research notes.
Lately, I’m fond of these cheap 100-page, 9x6 inchLue lisää
Pink Cameron Tam
16. kesäkuuta 2022, Norwegian Sea ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F
I’m coming home with a very special souvenir this trip! Here’s how it came about:
The more cruises you take with a specific line, the higher your status becomes. With each trip, you climb theLue lisää
Lupines in Olden
16. kesäkuuta 2022, Englanti ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Pics first, words later!
This is in Olden, Norway. Not sure why FindPenguins can’t find that now…



















































































