Kategorie: roadtrip
Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum
Settled in a big forest just outside of Riga is the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum.
It supposed to be one of the oldest and biggest in the world and held typically buildings and cultural goods from all part of the country.
Beside gathering knowledge and many interesting facts about Latvia and its culture, it’s also a beautiful walk in the woods, what was very welcome after the days in the hustling city.
Latvia – Riga
I played tourist in Riga.
Just strolling trough the old town, looked at historical building, visited churches and parks and learned a bit from its history.
Not going to bore you with many details about Riga, what you could find in a better way online, but post some impressions on my walk trough the city, before i found a quite place for the night just at the bank of the river Daugava.
Along The Coast From Lithuania to Latvia
Just cruising trough the beautiful countryside on minor roads, stopping by some unknown landmarks, watching the local sunbather at the crowded beach or listen to their nightly party music on a picnic spot next to a lake on a weekend.
The Baltic people love the outdoors. They spend the weekends out camping, enjoying fishing at the lake or just chilling at the sea. That’s why there are easily to find picnic spots in beautiful surrounding for a overnight stay including a refreshing dip in the lake after a day driving.
Lithuania – Hill of Crosses
It’s a catholic pilgrimage site, not known by certain when or by whom it started.
What is believed is in the 19th century people started bringing crosses to the site of a former hill fort. Probably in memory of perished rebels, who fight against the Russian Empire.
This hill, now know as Hill of Crosses has estimated more than 100’000 crosses, rosaries and statues, brought from all over the world.
Lithuania – Island Castle Trakai
Not far from the capital Vilnius lies the beautiful Trakai Island Castle.
It’s certainly worth a visit, despite the mass of foreign and local tourists.
After exploring the old walls from the 14th century, there are cafes to relax with a splendid view over the lake.
A Rough Start To A New Road Trip
Time for traveling was limited this summer, but at least an extended road trip should bring me to a few interesting places. Going north, so was the plan!
In my mirrors i saw the sunset when i hit the road. I like night drives to cover long distances. Especially those long stretches on German Autobahn. Just filling up my diesel tank, get some strong coffee and driving into the night.
Then finally reached Poland. Not long until i crossed the bridge of Wroclaw, what felt like to enter a new section of my trip.
That new phase of my road trip wasn’t going as smooth as expected. After a break, my Land Rover, called #TinaTortuga , won’t start anymore. Not even a sound when i turned the key, just nothing.
It took five hours until a guy from the road assistance turned in. Meanwhile i found the issue. A main fuse was broken. Unfortunately i didn’t bring these kind of fuses with me, but at least i could send a message to the road assistant. So, i just had to wait and prepared myself for another night drive as the sunlight faded.
What a lovely sound to my ears, when the diesel engine of #TinaTortuga started again. I thanked the nice man who brought me the fuse, and hit the road again. There was another night on the highway with just a few hours sleep. But at the next day i crossed the border to Lithuania. Here, so i felt, finally will start my Northern Europe road trip.
Israel – Mitzpe Ramon
Some last impressions from Israel. Enjoying the desert around Mitzpe Ramon. The town is situated on the edge of a cliff and overlooking big dry valley. One of the highlights is a walk along the cliffs and observing the ibex at sunset. With this beautiful and peaceful silence my trip in Israel comes to an end…
Israel – Negev Desert
Leaving the coast of the Red Sea along the border with Egypt, the road leads back into the Negev desert. More rocky and hilly landscape, with dry valleys and small oasis. A few remote settlements along the way. But there are also groups of cyclists on the road, fighting against the heat and covering big distances. Myself prefers a short hike in the desert, enjoying the few colorful plants growing there. At the end of the day i was ending up in Mitzpe Ramon. More about it on my next blog.
Israel – Eilat, beach town at the Red Sea
After a long drive trough the Negev desert along the Jordan border, the road ends in Eilat at the Red Sea.
It appears as holiday destination like so many others on this world. Israeli and tourists all over the world coming here for some relaxing days, parties or a foodie weekend at the sea.
There’s not much more than the beaches in front of big hotels, food courts and bars. The landscape around is stunning tho. If you get on an elevated point you can overlook the Red Sea and its riparian states, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. All within a coastline of approximately 35 km.
rene bauer photography 