RIGA CITY PHOTOS

Valdemāra Centrs

2012-01-28T11:21:00.002+02:00

"Valdemāra Centrs" was one of the first modern office buildings which was built in Riga in 90ies.

Heart

2012-01-27T20:12:00.003+02:00

Some week ago there were made heart in the snow at the side of the street which I noticed from my 9th floor window and zoomed in.

View to the south

2012-01-26T11:18:00.000+02:00

View from Radison Blu hotel building towards southern side of the city. The big building in forefront is government (Cabinet of Ministers) building.

Stonecutter workroom

2012-01-25T17:43:00.003+02:00

Weird house in far southern outskirts of Riga which is stonecutter workroom.

Highrise living

2012-01-24T16:19:00.003+02:00

In overall, Riga is low-rise and mid-rise city, and that's the reason why highrises seems something more special here, not like, f.e., in huge megalopolises like Sao Paolo, where they are so many that they lose any charm. Highrise living in Riga can offer unblocked view over almost all city.

In upper picture you see skyline of Imanta, Riga's densest apartment highrise cluster consisting of 10 towers. Second picture shows Panorama Plaza highrises alongside highway to airport (one of them is highest tower in left bank, not including Ķīpsala island). In the third picture, Astra Lux - highest building in right bank Riga, located in Purvciems.

Wintertainment

2012-01-23T13:31:00.004+02:00

One of the top things to do in Riga last weekend was sledding. Finally the snow is here and we enjoy some winter. Not many places to do sledding in Riga, but there are such small hills in dunes next to pine forest in Imanta district.

Out-of-Riga Sunday: Zemgale rural view

2012-01-22T21:32:00.000+02:00

Elizabetes street view

2012-01-21T18:47:00.004+02:00

View from Elizabetes street northern part. It's one of the poshest & richest streets in Riga.

The prison of time

2012-01-20T12:15:00.003+02:00

Will we break out of it soon? No. We can do it only now.

Blaumanis' building

2012-01-19T12:24:00.003+02:00

Blaumaņa street 8 is tenement house which was built in 1903, designed by architect Jānis Alksnis. In this building, famous Latvian writer Rūdolfs Blaumanis lived from 1906-1907, that's why the whole street got his name.

Green & Urban

2012-01-18T23:30:00.001+02:00

Nature besides modern highrises - it's Imanta district.

"Dream Factory"

2012-01-17T19:04:00.003+02:00

This old former glass factory building (anno 1911) has been turned to concert hall/events place in 2000 and got name "Dream Factory". It has hosted quite many international music stars like, for example, "The White Stripes" or Morrissey. Interesting, that also some important political events has been organized here, like a foundation congress of political parties, important press conferences, etc.

Largest hotel

2012-01-16T12:30:00.001+02:00

Radisson Blu (former Hotel Latvija) with around 600 rooms is the largest hotel in Baltic states.

Out-of-Riga Sunday: Warsaw

2012-01-15T12:20:00.001+02:00

I visited Warsaw back in 2008. Despite of this once beautiful city has suffered very heavily of humanity madness in World War 2, I still found it nice and charming in it's own way. Soviet time buildings mixes up with modern skyscrapers, also a stretch of rebuilt Old Town (here you see it with red rooftops in left side of the picture).

Frozen yoghurt bar

2012-01-14T12:14:00.002+02:00

Such a thing has appeared in Riga. I haven't tasted it so I don't have a clue, is it something similar to ice-cream?

2 mornings

2012-01-13T13:56:00.005+02:00

Here you see 2 sunrise views from my balcony - upper one taken this morning when sky looked like in some medieval painting. The other one is from December, a bit earlier in morning when people still were in homes, preparing to go to work. Which one you prefer?

Soviet time relic

2012-01-12T13:53:00.003+02:00

In Soviet times, official ideology propogated that every man and woman have to be an overman, especially in work. That's why humans in most of monuments, sculptures, mouldings and other public artwork were portrayed like supermens. It was meant to inspire every Soviet citizen to do their best to build a flowering (communism) state. Needless to say, it didn't worked. People here aren't Chinese whose love to work and sense of common benefit is based on much older system of values. Personal ambitions, private interests prevails here.

Benjamins house

2012-01-11T20:55:00.003+02:00

Now it's a 4 star hotel but 80 years ago this building belonged to famous Benjāmiņu family, newspaper owners and richest people in pre-war Latvia. It looks great also at night because it's lightened up, more of the great buildings in Riga centre should have it.

Cats houses

2012-01-10T15:31:00.006+02:00

Riga is becoming the city of cats. More and more facilities for cats appears in Riga public space. For example, this small cat house is located in one gateway in Old Town. Then in some other place in Old Town, there is a cats' hostel and today media reports it's started to build also "multi-apartment buildings" for cats in Riga :)

Maybe one of the explanations of Riga cats mania is the fact that there is Cats House in Riga (see below)? And another one - Riga's mayor in his public relations positions himself as a cats lover... And maybe he also really is. Well, but then you don't have to publish press releases about it. :)

Two good unfinished projects

2012-01-09T15:31:00.005+02:00

Here you see 2 nice projects which were started in Riga several years ago and now is staying on hold. These buildings located very close to each other, in Riga centre quarters in Grīziņkalns. The first project is "Dzintara projekti", was planned to finish in 2008, but now the developer is apparently bankrupted. I don't know who owns it, but I find quite unbelievable that they aren't finishing the project because as it seems, most of the building is already done, even windows... And real estate business is slowly but persistently reviving in Riga.

The second building is named "Aizkulises" and it should look quite extravagant when finished (see here). If it will be finished... It was planned to finish in 2009 but something apparently has stopped the construction. And again - so close.

Out-of-Riga Sunday: Tukums

2012-01-08T13:49:00.003+02:00

Tukums is a small but cosy town in Western side of Latvia, just some 70 km from Riga. It is built on a hill and have preserved many beautiful historical buildings. It is amazingly quiet and empty as well, in this case differing, for example, from tourist-full Kuldīga.

13th January street

2012-01-07T16:47:00.003+02:00

Shot from yesterday, this is 13th January street - one of busiest Riga centre streets. Yesterday watched the prime on cinema - Hollywood version of Stieg Larsson "Girl with Dragon Tatoo". A good screen version, seemed better than Swedish version to me.

Industry in Čiekurkalns

2012-01-06T13:59:00.002+02:00

These impressive structures are Soviet time grain elevators in Čiekurkalns. I have always liked industrial areas. Of course, I would not want to live next to one, but for a visits, wandering around, they are magical. And Riga has quite many industrial heritage - both from Soviet times, both from earlier times.

Barona and Dzirnavu corner

2012-01-05T17:52:00.001+02:00

Tirgoņu street

2012-01-04T14:43:00.002+02:00

Tirgoņu street in Old Town at night.

Daugavgrīva seashore

2012-01-03T17:17:00.005+02:00

On New Years Day, 1st January, when public transport in Riga was free for everyone, we took a ride across almost whole city (~23 km) from Purvciems to Daugavgrīva district. It is a small Soviet-time neighbourhood in Northern Riga which main advantage is location next to sea (Riga Sea Gulf). Many people had similar idea - to visit this seashore which looks especially magic because of industrial ships at sea horizone which waits permission to ship into Riga industrial port. This evening there were 9 of them, which you can see in the photos.

DNB bank building

2012-01-02T17:05:00.004+02:00

"The year will be like it's start" - such a saying is popular here. So, when thinking how to start this year in Photoriga blog, I immediately came to conlusion to show some good modern architecture because it is one of things which Riga lacks most.

One of the nicest modern additions to the city is DNB bank headoffices in Skanste district. It was designed by internationally recognized Lithuanian architect Audrius Ambrasas office and completed in 2010. It also got the Riga Architecture prize as the best new building last year.

I wish many new and good modern architecture buildings to my Riga and your city as well in this year!

Theme Day: Photo of the year 2011

2012-01-01T20:19:00.004+02:00

I couldn't choose my own favorite photo of my 2011 pictures, that's why I made a poll in international urban enthusiasts forum Skyscrapercity.com. Of around 30 pictures, most of voters gave preference to this photo "Evening in Madrid". You can see the poll and the other candidate photos here.

It wasn't easy to take this photo of Madrid's beautiful, grand street Calle De Alcala. I was without tripod, and tried to support my camera on some stone at Puerta De Alcala monument. It was even more tricky because I used a telephoto lens to zoom the composition better.

See best photos of 2011 in other world cities

Happy 2012!

2012-01-01T06:01:00.004+02:00

New Year's celebrations in Riga were really great. Kind and happy people everywhere around, nice fireworks and the party atmosphere... I was actually first time celebrating New Year in Riga and it gave good, positive vibrations.

After the official fireworks were over, people continued with their own ones...

But in Riga neighbourhoods, New Year "came" many times... Some fireworks were seen every hour since sunset, but especially active they became in last hours before midnight. When I was still at home, I observed some ~20 different fireworks places in Purvciems from my window at 10 PM. At midnight, it should have looked even more impressive.

And when the party is over...

Riga central clock

2011-12-31T15:38:00.003+02:00

World looks at the clocks and waits New Year today.

Christmas composition

2011-12-30T23:26:00.001+02:00

Discoveries on Pērses street

2011-12-29T23:44:00.004+02:00

I love those moments when I stumble upon some previously unseen building or corner in Riga's centre which I seemingly know like my right hand's five fingers. Today I discovered several beautiful and strange buildings at the same time - in small sidestreet Pērses street. I have been on this street before, but due to some job affairs, so back then I didn't even paid attention to what was above my eye level. Now I think - how many people lives in Riga like that, running through the centre every day but never look up? They even don't know how Riga's architecture looks like, they have never seen the city where they live! And then they every summer vacations pays large money to travel to Paris or London to wonder about buildings there... Don't get me wrong, traveling is beautiful (I do it myself everytime I can afford) but - it's stupid to travel and appreciate faraway places if you haven't even noticed wonders in your everyday's surroundings.

Brīvības street perspective

2011-12-28T23:27:00.002+02:00

Here you can try to imagine the views from upper floors in Riga centre buildings.

Highway of clouds

2011-12-27T23:27:00.000+02:00

Central station square

2011-12-26T12:38:00.000+02:00

Riga Central station and it's square in Christmas look - the same every year.

Christmas markets in Līvu and Townhall squares

2011-12-25T14:43:00.000+02:00

Christmas market in Dom square

2011-12-24T14:41:00.000+02:00

Merry Christmas to Photoriga visitors!

Riga canal parks before Christmas

2011-12-23T14:38:00.001+02:00

Christmas trees

2011-12-22T22:43:00.003+02:00

Different Christmas trees are set up in Riga - some real, some artficial ones.

Bridges of Riga canal

2011-12-21T23:56:00.006+02:00

Riga canal bridges plays with colors. It looks especially beautiful when the water is calm and reflects the lights most accurately.

Btw, if you have Google Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer, you can open this post and compare the colors. You will see that in Chrome and Explorer they look much worse than in Firefox (desaturated, "washed out"). I noticed this only with these photos which I processed from NEF (Nikon's RAW) file - never had this problem with photos I shot in JPEG. Do you know how to solve this problem? Because I want my photos look great not only in Firefox but in other browsers too...

Edit: it seems, I figured out the problem - Explorer and Chrome doesn't support Adobe RGB color profile. When I saved from NEF through sRGB profile, picture appearance doesn't change. I changed the first picture, so that one should appear on all browsers the same.

Riga waits Christmas

2011-12-20T22:12:00.002+02:00

Artificial snow flakes over Čaka street (upper picture) and decorated Vaļņu street.

Ground level

2011-12-19T21:46:00.002+02:00

Mouse's perspective.

Out-of-Riga Sunday: Madrid Metro station

2011-12-18T21:21:00.002+02:00

I stumbled upon this amazing installation in one of newest Madrid metro stations. It was moving, and photo can't show it's beauty in full.

Vērmanes park reflections

2011-12-17T15:51:00.002+02:00

Southern hemisphere

2011-12-16T15:50:00.003+02:00

When there are wet and grey weather outside (we're struck into depressing meteorological zone between autumn and winter), there comes a wish to be in Southern hemisphere. "Lucky bastards" are enjoying summer down there. :)

Btw, my dream places where to live are Australia and New Zealand - due to many factors like nature, weather, quality of life, absence from all other world affairs and thus a peace, beautiful and modern cities, etc.

TV tower at night

2011-12-15T11:53:00.001+02:00

If Riga is "Little Paris" then our Eiffel Tower is Riga's TV Tower. Just it isn't "Little Eiffel" because it's actually higher than Eiffel Tower - 365 metres.

Winter panorama

2011-12-14T15:58:00.002+02:00

No, it's not even close as snowy, sunny and cold in Riga this winter (which is de facto rather like bad autumn currently), but I hope it will be. I don't want second autumn instead of winter ;)

"Don't cry, your dead ones lives"

2011-12-13T16:40:00.003+02:00

Gates of a cemetery in Vecmīlgrāvis district. "Don't cry, your dead ones lives" is written upon them. Latvians are very obsessed with cemetery culture - every dead has it's own mound which is being tidied and fresh flowers brought every few weeks.

Rumour clouds over Swedbank

2011-12-12T14:34:00.004+02:00

Yesterday in Latvia's Twitter network rumours were spreading about Swedbank's financial problems and people hurried to ATMs to drew out their money (over 24 million lats were cashed out). When I heard about the rumors in TV, I had a bit comfortless feeling too, because all my money is in Swedbank. However it seemed more like a mass panic without a real ground to me and I didn't run to the nearest ATM. Today there is started criminal procedure about these rumors, because state considers they were created intentionally with bad purpose. Although some people still rows at ATMs, for most is clear now that the bank is safe and alarmism has no reason. Rumour clouds has lifted (in pictures - Swedbank main building in Riga, office tower in Ķīpsala):

Out-of-Riga Sunday: Tallinn

2011-12-11T02:36:00.000+02:00

Tallinn - Estonia's capital city - is city where you can observe the sharpest differences between old and new - medieval Old Town exists right besides to modern blocks and highrises.

Galerija Centrs

2011-12-10T13:33:00.002+02:00

Media reports there is a fire again in Galerija Centrs - department store in Old Town. This is Riga's oldest shopping centre and also the most troubled one - there has been several fires and even explosion back in 2000 (1 died, 28 injured). Explosion was organized by people who wanted to rob the store, only 1 people of 5 criminals sits in jail.

This department store was built from 1936-1940 as an economic store for Latvia soldiers. Back then it was very progressive and modern building - with first escalator in Riga, climate control, automatic fire-alarm system etc.

Inside, after reconstruction, when roof-covered Rīdzenes street forms a pathway between old and new side of department store:

Modern side:

Goodbye, autumn! Welcome, winter!

2011-12-09T16:42:00.006+02:00

Today when with wet & snowy weather winter is picking up speed here I wanted to take a look back to the autumn which was rarely sunny, warm and beautiful until half of November. This picture with old woman walking in autumn scene a bit resembles a beautiful picture by Eric in Paris Daily Photo thread. At least the story it tells is a bit similar.

And this is Riga today. I hope the coldness will turn on and the snow won't be wet and melting, but we will have one more white, snowy, cold and (maybe) even a bit sunny winter.

Art Academy of Latvia

2011-12-08T15:01:00.003+02:00

Latvia Art Academy building was built in 1905 initially served as a commercial school. This Neo-Gothic style building served also as appartment house for teachers (windows of their flats at this side of building). Later famous Latvian painters, including Constructivist Gustavs Klucis, has studied there.

DNB Nord becomes DNB

2011-12-07T16:16:00.003+02:00

In Saturday I wandered around Skanste district and saw some workers doing "acrobatics" on DNB bank building's roof. DNB Nord bank has became just DNB bank and thus changed it's logo - pity, imho, because the previous logo was more attractive. This one too simple and plain. Other "acrobatic" jobs in Riga posted here: roof cleaner in winter and window cleaner.

First snow

2011-12-06T23:46:00.003+02:00

First snow in this winter behind my window just an hour ago. In spring I posted here picture with lantern and rain now it's lantern and snow. Check out also picture of previous winter's first snow.

Moon over Riga

2011-12-06T15:26:00.002+02:00

Few pictures of moon I took in Riga in recent time.

Modern patterns

2011-12-05T15:49:00.000+02:00

Out-of-Riga Sunday: Ventspils

2011-12-04T19:05:00.002+02:00

Ventspils is Latvias richest town (it became as such because of oil transit in 90ies) and it keeps attention to quality public space as no other town in Latvia. This fountain is one of most amazing public space objects. A rainbow shines there even in not the most sunny days, and in this picture you can notice that water drops are creating the contours of Latvia's map.

Rare cars

2011-12-03T20:23:00.002+02:00

Usually I dont take photos of cars, but recently I spotted some truly unique ones. Especially the first one - it's first time I see such a car. Do you know what is it?

Central station platforms

2011-12-02T18:58:00.003+02:00

Train platforms in Riga Central station. The first picture is taken this morning when I took train to Jelgava due to my job affair. Train traffic isn't as developed mode of public transport in Latvia as it's in Western Europe, but between few closest towns in Riga metro area - Jūrmala, Jelgava, Sigulda, Ogre - it's quite popular.

Theme Day: Action shot

2011-12-01T00:25:00.001+02:00

Today's theme: action. On the upper picture 2 older guys sharing one chess table in Vērmaņdārzs, while on the second picture 2 younger boys sharing one bicycle on Brīvības street.

What's in action in other cities around the world?

Riga in early spring

2011-11-30T13:57:00.003+02:00

When looking north-eastern direction from St Peter's church, with a bit of zooming you see small stretch of Old Town in forefront, then Boulevard Ring, further away centre's perimetrical quarters and then industrial districts and port.

"Citadele" headoffices

2011-11-29T17:17:00.004+02:00

"Citadele" bank service workers today has a very long workday... Why? Today Latvia state started to pay out guaranteed sums (up to 100 000 EUR) of people's deposits of recently bankrupted Krājbanka, and it is done through currently state-owned Citadele bank.

Today around 30 mio lats (~45 mio EUR) was paid out to approximately 5000 former Krājbanka clients. People crowded in huge rows at "Citadele" affiliates in Riga today.

Now and before: Cēsu street 23

2011-11-28T13:43:00.003+02:00

Good surprise awaited me in Cēsu street recently - large and charming pre-war tenement house which previously falled apart is now renovated, modernized and waiting it's new inhabitants. I'm happy for every historical building which gets renovated in Riga.

This building was built in 1908, and it represents the so-called "rational" Art Nouveau which is more minimalistic but elegant anyway. The architect is Konstantīns Pēkšēns which in overall has designed >250 (!!) buildings in Riga.

Here you can see the view from building's upper floor.

Before the renovation, in March 2010:

How to make a sushi?

2011-11-27T16:57:00.003+02:00

Another few Staro Riga objects to finish the picture series from it.

See how to make a sushi. At first, we take a fish...

..then we just chop it in pieces. Sushi is ready! Easier than I thought :)

Riga parks in Staro Riga 2011 time

2011-11-26T15:08:00.002+02:00

Riga's central parks in "Staro Riga 2011" were decorated with various light installations.

Staro Riga 2011: Planet street

2011-11-25T17:47:00.003+02:00

One of Old Town's streets was decorated with these glowing light spheres a la "planets".

Latvijas Krājbanka head office

2011-11-25T13:07:00.004+02:00

Latvijas Krājbanka is a bank around which all Latvian media news circulates in the last days. Like it's mother's bank Snoras in Lithuania it has been emptied by it's owner, Russian oligarch Antonov (which got arrested yesterday in UK, in accordance to Lithuania's issued arrest order). Lithuania will not save Snoras bank and I hope we will do the same with Krājbanka, so this building won't serve as it's office soon anymore.

Staro Riga 2011: Shine Dome

2011-11-24T13:56:00.002+02:00

Riga Cathedral is in renovation process but that didn't disturbed it to become one of the most impressive lightened objects in this year's Staro Riga. Lights colours changed in many different ways, sometimes playing also with Latvian flag colours.

Staro Riga 2011: Stories of Small Guild Master Craftsmen

2011-11-23T17:00:00.002+02:00

Small Guild building was decorated with illuminated windows.

Staro Riga 2011: Townhall beaming

2011-11-22T15:55:00.004+02:00

This is the building from where light beams which I showed you yesterday were coming.

Riga shines - all Latvia shines

2011-11-21T13:22:00.006+02:00

"Staro Riga" light festival has ended, too bad it lasts only 4 days (however, now Christmas decorations are popping up in the city). Still in my blog you will have the chance to enjoy "Staro Riga" whole this week :). Light beams eradiating from Riga municipality building was one of the most impressive (largest) installations this year. They were moving in different angles, and - believe it or not - but I'm pretty sure that I saw these beams as a weak and diffused flashes of light even in Bauska town, which is 70 kilometres away from Riga! At first, I couldn't understand what is it - a lightning in November? But then, when approached by bus to Riga and noticed these beams already before Ķekava (~20 km from Riga) I understood that what I saw in Bauska was the light of these beams when their angle was the most sloping, directed to horizon. I made a quick decision to step out of the bus in Zaķusala and took there a bunch of photos while standing on Salu bridge.

Staro Riga 2011: Secrets of Sound

2011-11-20T13:27:00.000+02:00

Another one of the nicest (and most original!) objects in this year's "Staro Riga" festival is called "Secrets of sound". There flames of gas are "dancing" according to sound of classical symphonic music (melodic and beautiful themes). It's quite a hypnotic experience, I suggest everyone to visit this object if you can while it is possible (only today!).

Fireworks of 18th November

2011-11-19T15:10:00.004+02:00

Pictures from yesterday's fireworks. I'm still struggling to get my first "Perfect Fireworks Picture". That is quite a challenge.

Thanks for your good wishes to Latvia!

This shot reminds me palms at some tropical island's beach... I don't know if it was intended like that.

Grande Finale

18th November - Latvia's Independence Day

2011-11-18T14:08:00.003+02:00

Today Latvia gets 93 years old. 18th November is our Independence proclamation day - it happened in 1918. Two most important things I wish to Latvia today - united, harmonious society (but based on Latvian language and values, as it's Latvia here after all) and economical prosperity (including social equality). We are able to reach both of them!

Latvian parliament house and government's building both displays stories about independence related themes at "Staro Riga 2011" - in the upper picture you see parliament building which is lightened as a huge Latvian flag, while in lower pictures Cabinet of Ministers building, which displays video film about Latvian flag (you see a scene with Latvian flag in Everest, as one of the places it has been).

Staro Riga 2011: One moment with light fountains

2011-11-18T00:55:00.003+02:00

"Staro Rīga" light festival started yesterday and after a long walk around about half of 85 objects three people (including me) came to one conclusion - this was the most beautiful one. It's light, water, video projection and music show "One moment with light fountains". There were few other cool objects too, although in overall, I have to admit, there is a feeling that this year objects aren't as impressive as in previous years.

Industrial ship and passenger ship

2011-11-17T15:02:00.001+02:00

Dambjapurva lake

2011-11-16T13:21:00.005+02:00

One of nicest places where to live in Jugla district could be these apartment highrises which are located in calm and silent area between 2 small lakes. The lake you see in the picture is Dambjapurva lake and area besides it is facilitated - there are options to engage in physical activities.

Narrow building

2011-11-15T12:19:00.005+02:00

Recently on Tallinas street I noticed this building which is unusual due to it's narrowness - land owner apparently had a very small land plot where to expand. It has been tried to compensate with building's design which is quite a posh for it's area where buildings in overall are simpler. Despite of the fact, that the architect himself later has called this building as his "youth's mistake", I really like it.

"Staro Riga" coming!

2011-11-14T13:02:00.004+02:00

If you want to visit Riga in non-touristy season, then this is the right time. This week Riga will be extra beautiful - from 17th till 20th November we set up annual light festival "Staro Riga" ("Riga shines"). This is a picture from first of these festivals which happened in 2008, one of objects were impressive light beams over Daugava aquatorium.

More information about this year's programme here.

Out-of-Riga Sunday: Rome

2011-11-13T14:26:00.000+02:00

I visited Rome exactly 3 years ago - in these days of November 2008. It was a dramatic weather change - from cold minuses in Riga to +20 in Rome. Rome is of course the most historical city of all European big cities. It was full of ancient ruins and I found it somehow oppressing a bit. The city lacks some modernity, joviality or something what could be symbolically compared to "a gulp of fresh air". Nevertheless, it offered very beautiful sights in places - but sadly I was not able to take photo of the most beautiful of them all because my camera's accumulator was discharged.

Bicycle road "Centre - Berģi"

2011-11-12T13:03:00.003+02:00

Riga isn't bicycle-friendliest city in the world (to put it mildly) but there surely has been progress in last ~5 years. One of the main accomplishments is a bicycle road "Centre - Berģi" which goes all the way from city's core to most distant Eastern outskirts (total length of the track: 14 km). To be honest, I'm still not accustomed to use it in centre area but it's really convenient in Teika distric. The track itself has been made in rather good quality and advisedly (apart from few potentially dangerous mistakes like crossing between Skolas and Dzirnavu streets). The worst problems are created by the stupid car drivers who sometimes park their cars exactly on bicycle road.

On the first picture, you see this track on Skolas street, in centre. On the second picture it's some 7 kilometres farther, on Brīvības street, in Teika.

Sun's hieroglyphics

2011-11-11T15:17:00.006+02:00

I noticed this weird optical phenomenon from my window yesterday. It's reflections of sun rays apparently from some opposite windows. That would be nothing unusual, but as you see here relfections are different from each other and when orderly lined they resembles some writing in hieroglyphics.

Full moon skyline

2011-11-10T13:40:00.002+02:00

Yesterday I happened to went home with bicycle from Ķīpsala island and it gave me chance to take this view to classical Old Town's skyline with full moon over it. Of course, picture doesn't show view's real beauty, especially it's impossible to take photo of moon with all it's spots and the city in the same brightness.

Wall on Elizabetes street

2011-11-09T19:46:00.005+02:00

I'm not sure what exactly but something attracted me to this wall. Maybe the various color mix, maybe the roughness, maybe the girl's, maybe alien's face... Most probably that's all together.

This photo resembles one really great song to me - imho, it is one of the best songs created in Latvia in this Century. It has words which strongly interacts with the picture:

I didn't knew that you are that one
Because of who all winds runs
I didn't knew that your name is written
On the wall scratched by winds

I saw that someone goes away
Lowering his head
Like counting his last days
Like a shadow sliding across posters on streets
From where is stalking, staring with big eyes

If you want to know really good Latvian modern rock, then listen this song. You won't regret! I promise ;)

Igo & Melo M - Es Nezināju

Brīvības street in sunset

2011-11-08T13:48:00.002+02:00

Another one of Brīvības street in sunset. You can see New St Gertrude church and hotel Latvia highrise in the distance.

Golden road to sun

2011-11-07T14:42:00.005+02:00

Vecāķi beach is one of several beaches of Riga. In summer it is quite crowded but in autumn, people from local neighbourhood come here to walk around, enjoy fresh air and nature's beauty and vastness.

Out-of-Riga Sunday: Talsi

2011-11-06T18:22:00.004+02:00

Talsi is a small and scenic town in Latvia's north-western area. Due to hilly surroundings, it is being called as "town on 9 hills". It also has several lakes inside and near the town and this combination opens nice views.

Sunset over centre

2011-11-05T21:18:00.003+02:00

Sunset this evening from air bridge on Brīvības street. This is place where city centre starts. It was nice but quite a cold day and my girlfriend was rather angry when she had to wait while I took this photo but I think it was worth to a bit annoy her to get this sight, how do you think? :)

Ship's leaving

2011-11-04T10:18:00.002+02:00

Tallink ship moving away from Riga passenger port while many cars jamming on Vanšu bridge in evening's rush hour.

Basketball by the house

2011-11-03T14:06:00.004+02:00

Reflection in puddle of basketball backboard attached to lantern, located just outside the private house garden, on the side of an unpaved small street in Mežciems district.

Where the first man of 8th billion was born?

2011-11-02T13:42:00.005+02:00

As you may have heard, 7th billionth person in the world was born few days ago in Philippines or Russia. But it's interesting, that 7th billionth first person may be born in Riga! At least such speculations were on our media (of course, it's always a relative thing about these numbers). In case, if that's true, then this is the place were first man of eight billion was born - it's Riga's maternity hospital. It was built in Soviet times, 1973, but looks rather good with it's red bricks as a construction material.

Theme Day: Fences

2011-11-01T01:49:00.000+02:00

Two a bit different kind of fences from Riga to this day's City Daily Photo Theme. The first one is a railing of Daugava river bank in Riga centre, but the second one - concrete fence (as you see with holes though) around an industrial area in Eastern Riga, Mežaparks apartment towers sneaking over it.

See fences in other cities

"Golden" house

2011-10-31T13:16:00.001+02:00

Wooden house in Āgenskalns with a little "gilding" effect in reflection.

Out-of-Riga Sunday: Barcelona

2011-10-30T20:46:00.001+02:00

This is the city of love! More so than Paris. One of the great avenues of Barcelona historical quarters with high buildings on sides, and the mountains in background. Picture from summer 2007 when I visited this sunny and charming city.

Riga Milk Combine

2011-10-29T20:37:00.003+03:00

Aerial view to Riga's Milk factory complex which is located on the southern outskirts of the city. Farther away you see bits and pieces of Riga urban area - private housing sprawl which stretches along Via Baltica road for some 10 kilometres. Btw, I noticed that this is my 700th post in PhotoRiga blog.

Reaton offices

2011-10-28T14:26:00.003+03:00

Nice piece of modern architecture I discovered just this week in Čiekurkalns area. It's offices building in Reaton quarter. Maybe it's a bit cliche of contemporary trends, but nice anyway. Especially when we have loads of awful new buildings.

Sun has risen

2011-10-27T09:55:00.002+03:00

Sunrise over Eastern Riga - about an hour ago. Looks like it will be another sunny day. This autumn is beautiful - it has probably more sunny days than summer had! Don't remember something like that before in my life.

Boxing hall in Maskavas forštate

2011-10-26T14:36:00.003+03:00

Neglected inner yard - usual sight in Maskavas forštate ("Moscow suburb") district. The doors leads to boxing hall. Maybe here next champions are exercising?

Dombrovskis phenomenon

2011-10-25T20:27:00.004+03:00

Today Latvia finally got new Cabinet of Ministers - more than month after the elections the new government were confirmed in parliament. Premier minister third time in a row will be Valdis Dombrovskis - he is the first PM in Latvia's history who has been so succesful. He is really a rather phenomenal figure in Latvia's politics. Despite of all harsh decisions he had to made during economical crysis, most people still likes him but politicians almost regard him as neutral, unpolitical figure (although he represents one of the leading parties). Even competitor parties agreed that exactly Dombrovskis has to continue to lead the government, and it seems, there are really few people around who thinks that someone else would be better - even those who voted for other parties (like myself). It's hard to determine what is behind this phenomenon, but I think - it is because Dombrovskis meditates. :) No, seriously. It allows him to keep clear mind even in the most difficult situations.