September 2024

We were invited to join our humans as they toured the Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. They are three independent countries, each with their own language. The countries take up an area twice the size of Ireland and the north and with populations totalling 5.8 mio inhabittants. That is a population a bit more than in the Republic of Ireland.

Check out the Google map of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Click each photo to enlarge

Vilnius Airport, September 2024

It was late at night before we finally arrived the airport in Vilnius. The guide had gone to a different terminal expecting that our group would show up there. But no, and now we were standing in front of the old terminal waiting and waiting...

Vilnius, September 2024

We would be staying a couple of nights at the Conti Hotel near the medieval part of Vilnius. On our first day we following the tour group around the old parts of Vilnius. Vilnius is a very European city, and the architedture reflects that. Here we are at the old city gate into the old part of Vilnius.

McBear was in particular interested in visiting souvenir shops. He was hoping to find Lithuanian bears and to find out whether they had established a Lithuanian Toy Animals' Rights office.

Vilnius, September 2024

Here we are in front of the Basilica of St Stanislaus and St Ladislaus. Many places around Vilnius you see the Lithuanian flag and the EU flag, even NATO's flag in front of the presidentail palace. It seemed that Lithuania was intent to show the world that Lithuania was no longer a part of the now dissolved Soviet Union nor Russia.

Trakai Castle, Lithuania September 2024

The old fortress, Trakai Castle, is built on an island in the Lake Galvé. It's an area with lots of lakes. The oldest parts of the castle dates back to the 14th century.

Trakai, Lithuania, September 2024

To get around, we had a large tour bus. Well, we were not the only passengers - we had to share the coach with other passengers from Ireland.

Hill of Crosses, Lithuania, September 2024

Then it was time to leave Lithuania and travel to Latvia. On the way, we stopped at the Hill of crosses. This is a small hill, where people started to leave crucifics in memory of their loved ones. Today, it is estimated that more than one hundred thousand crosses have been placed here.

Rundale Palace, Latvia, September 2024

We crossed the boarder to Latvia and stopped for a visit at the majestic castle, Rundale Palace. It's a fine castle built in baroque style by a German duke, Ernst Johann von Biron.
Seeing this majestic castle, Roger felt inspired.
"This would be an appropriate residence for me," he said. "And of course I would invite a ton a bears to live here in peace".
"What a splendid idea!" McBear said in recognition. "We could set up a Latvian branch of Toy Animals' Rights."
McBear had visions in his eyes.

Riga, Latvia, September 2024

Late in the afternoon we arrived the Latvian capital, Riga. We were going to stay at the Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel.

Riga, Latvia, September 2024

From the roof top lounge, we had terrific views of the Daugava River and the surroundings.
Keyna was delighted. As a seal, he always wanted to go swimming, however, he didn't always get the opportunity.
"Tomorrow morning," he stated, "I shall have a dive into the river and enjoy a swim."

Riga, Latvia, September 2024

From the roof top, we could also see an old building with a tall spire.
"We've seen that kind of buildings before, haven't we?" asked Roger.
"Yeah, in Moscow. They are several of them in Moscow, and they were built during the time of Stalin in the Soviet Union." McBear said.

Riga, Latvia, September 2024

Next morning, after Keyna's swim, we went around Riga. We visited the Freedom Monument. It was set up to commemorate the lost soldiers during the Latvian War of Independence 1918-20.

Riga, Latvia, September 2024

We also went to the Corner House. This is where the KGB Museum is located. The museum tells the story of interrogations and deportations during the times of the Soviet Union.
"It's not surprising," McBear said, "that the Latvians like the Lithuanians wanted to become members of the EU rather than anything Soviet Union.

Riga, Latvia, September 2024

The Soviet Secret Police, KGB, set up its Latvian headquarter in this building in 1940. From 1941 to 1944 it was occupied by the German forces, before it returned to KGB occupation until the Lavtians gained independence in 1991.

Riga, Latvia, September 2024

The KGB Museum tells many stories incl. the story of how the people of the Baltics in 1989 held each other by the hands and created a 600 km long line from Lithuania all the way through Latvia to Tallinn in the northern part of Estonia.

Latvia, September 2024

Having stayed in Riga a couple of days, it was time to get back on the coach and head north. On the way we stopped to have some lunch at the Raganas Kekis. There were witches everywhere... and foxes, hares and other sculptures of animals from the forests.

The tale tells the story of a beautiful lady who worked here, and all the village men and travellers stayed there until the last penny. Hence, the women of the village called the lady a witch!

Estonian border, September 2024

Then we crossed the border to the third of the Baltics countries: Estonia!
Roger was getting a exhausted from having to learn another new language every few days. But at least they all used the one common currency: The EUROS.
"It's handy we don't need a change of notes so often." Tom said.
"Good God," McBear pondered. "and it's a good thing they all drive in the same side of the road. Image one country would drive in the left side, and the next in the right side and so on!"

Tallinn, Estonia, September 2024

Late in the afternoon we arrived the Hestia Hotel Europa at the harbour in Tallinn. The city looked very European, and they had coffee cafes on nearly every corner.

Estonian border, September 2024

The next day, as we went on a walking tour around Tallinn, we visited the Danish King's Garden. It was here, that the famous battle of Lyndanisse took place in 1219, when the Danish King Valdemar fought the last pagans in Europe. During the battle, the Danish flag according to legend, fell from the sky, paving the way for Danish victory.

Tallinn, Estonia, September 2024

Roger felt inspired by the story of the king and the flag. Next morning we woke up to an announcement:
"I am the Viking king Roger, and I have come to conquer this land..."
"Well, you tried to conquer Cyprus too..." Tom said pulling the duvet up to cover his ears.
"Wasn't there a failed attempt to conquer the jungle in Vietnam too?" McBear mumbled.
"That's right." Tom agreed. "... and Falais in Normandy as Roger the Conquerer."
Roger got a bit impatient.
"You are just listing past events, both of you!"
"You should get up and make yourself useful!" he added.
This day, we were going to visit the tall Sokos Hotel Viru.

Tallinn, Estonia, September 2024

The Sokos Hotel has 22 floors. But that was only what people could select in the lifts. In fact, there was an additional secret 23rd floor. On this floor, the Soviet KGB has installed offices and equipment, and they bugged the rooms downstairs in order to pick up information about the guests.

Tallinn, Estonia, September 2024

We came across many amber shops. Amber is common in all of the Baltic Sea region and with some training and luck people can find amber on the beaches.
"I feel we'll be returning to Ireland highly enriched having visited the Baltic countries." Roger concluded.