Obviously when you run out of beer to drink the night before there is no hangover the next day, so feeling good I was up and into the rain to visit the Riga Occupation Museum. With nothing more than a donation when you enter the door it turned into a real eye opener to recount stories of the occupation. While here I also ran into a friend from the hostel so after taking in the museum we headed off to look around Riga.
Covering some of the ground from the tour yesterday, I acted as part tour guide part tourist walking the streets with no real direction. Unlike on the walking tour however we did venture up the Science Building for a look out across Riga. It seemed like not many people came up here as signs were minimal and the elevator only takes you 3/4 of the way, the rest is spent navigating a stairwell and random doors until you reach the top.
Looking around the dark and dreary skyline we decided not to hang around as the impending rain was not far away. Leaving my exploring friend here I set off to find my souvenir from Riga, a task that proved futile. I managed to find shop after shop of amber jewelery and nothing that even resembled a bottle opener.
Eventually giving up after I was soaked to the bone, I returned to the hostel to relax on the couch as I dumped my wet clothes into the hostel washing machine in preparation for an early leave tomorrow. The thought of travelling with wet clothes was just not one I waned to entertain.
Wasting away an hour of two surfing the internet the motley grew of us that drank the hostel dry the night before worked out where to find a local restaurant we could eat at before venturing off to the skybar for a drink and to take in the Riga skyline at night.
While deciding on our restaurant the ever funny luxembourgian’s returned showing off their new purchases from a local shop in preparation for their night out where they promissed to meet up with us at the skybar later on (needless to say you can tell they never turned up, damn luxembourgian’s).
Setting off for the local restaurant some time later we had no idea what to expect other than a recommendation from the hostel staff that it would be a good meal. Entering we found a cafeteria style setup with staff behind the counter to server you the food while you could help yourself to various dishes resembling salads and so forth on the other side.
Ordering food we thought resembled something we liked it was off to the cashier and to our tables to eat. I chose a safer route with a chicken type dish and other assortments that as well as costing very little didn’t offer the amazing food experience I had hoped for. Still our next stop was for alcohol and there was no way it was going to disappoint.
Leaving the restaurant and entering the Radisson Blu Hotel we found ourselves slightly underdressed as backpackers, but when does that ever stop us. Taking a seat up on the busy 26th floor skybar we ordered overly expensive beer and admired the wet and cold skyline as Riga glittered in darkness. On a nicer summer night I could imagine the view being much better than what I was to experience.
Chatting away about previous travel stops and adventures. My friend from today recounted their trip from Asia to Europe via the trans siberian railway. The only problem with great stories like that is it just add’s to my travel wish list which at this point was getting out of control.
With drinks nearing empty we called last drinks and prepared to end the night. Tomorrow myself and my buddy from today had an early rise to head for Vilnius in Lithuania as the others headed onto other destinations in Europe. Toasting to our fun we finished up and traded smiles to a moment shared together before returning to the hostel and bed.
Alcohol never disappoints 🙂
I’ll agree to that Ayngelina
I SO want to do the Tran-Siberian Railroad.
Andi if you do the Trans-Siberian railroad and don’t take me I’ll be extremely upset.
I really love the last line of this post–very good way to end it. It provides a good visual of a night well-spent.
awww thanks Lauren, praise coming from you means a lot.
its amazing how much you can share while you are drinking
Sometimes I think we share TOO much while drinking as well haha
Sounds like a good way to farewell a city. Looking forward to farewelling a few in similar style next year.