Easter in Riga: The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia

The last thing we visited while we were in Riga was the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia. The weather was fairly cooperative, and while it rained slightly, it was not pouring. We took the bus to go to this vast museum outside of Riga.

Donau-Panoramaweg: Leg 2 - Kelheim to Poikam (18 km)

I wanted to continue the Donau-Panoramaweg, which I started back in 2024. So for a week, I based myself again in Regensburg. And I picked up where I left off.

Easter in Riga: An Excursion to Jurmala

It was just early April, so definitely not yet beach weather. Nevertheless, we wanted to see the sea, so we went on a little day trip from Riga to Jurmala, which was a short train ride away.

Easter in Riga: Latvian National Museum of Art

When I am in a new city, I tend to visit the local art museum. This allows me to see and get a glimpse of the local art. I did the same when we were in Riga, by visiting the Latvian National Museum of Art.

Easter in Riga: Art Nouveau Museum of Riga

One of the other things we visited in Riga was the Art Nouveau Museum. This is the only museum in the Baltic states dedicated entirely to the heritage of Art Nouveau (known locally as Jūgendstils). Opened in 2009, the museum provides an immersive look into how the wealthy residents of Riga lived during the height of the movement at the beginning of the 20th century, a period when roughly one-third of the buildings in the city center were designed in this ornate style.

Easter in Riga: House of the Blackheads

We visited perhaps what is arguably the most recognizable landmark in Riga's Old Town. Located prominently in Town Hall Square, the House of the Blackheads is celebrated for its opulent architecture and a resilient history that mirrors the story of Latvia itself.

Berliner Mauerweg: Warschauer Strasse to Schönefeld (19 km)

I continued the Berliner Mauerweg. And this is the leg when I finally get out of the city centre.

Easter in Riga: The Cathedral of Riga

So we ended up exploring the Cathedral of Riga.

Easter in Riga: Exploring the Old Town

So, we arrived in Riga. We arrived late at night, so we just plopped dead into our bed once we checked in. But the day after, we started exploring. Of course, we started at the Old Town.

Easter in Riga

Earlier this year, we decided to do a small getaway outside of Germany. We took the opportunity that came with the Easter holidays: Friday and Monday was a holiday, so we thought we could find a destination where we would be flying out of Berlin on a Thursday evening, and come back on Monday evening. After a little bit of research, we settled on Riga. Research told us that this would be a place where things are nevertheless open regardless of the fact that it was a public holiday. So we made plans.

Interludes from Chinese Class: Wangjiang Pavilion Park

It was time to leave Chengdu. I had a flight that was scheduled to leave Chengdu just a little after midnight, so that meant I had the entire day to myself when I checked out of my hotel. After having a leisurely breakfast, I slowly packed my bags and checked out. And after doing so, I explored Chengdu for the last time. I ended up in Wangjiang Pavilion Park.

Interludes from Chinese Class: Panda Research Base

I felt like I had to go to the Panda Research Base in Chengdu before I left. I got pressure from friends telling me that I should go and take pictures. So even though I don't really care much for animals, and I don't quite find pandas cute, on my final weekend, I went to the Panda Research Base on the northern side of the city, together with a classmate.

Interludes from Chinese Class: Financial City

Before I left Chengdu, I wanted to see the two skyscrapers that seem to be featured on every Chengdu promotional poster. It seems that it's a prominent feature of the Chengdu skyline, yet I still haven't seen them. So I made it a point to go south of the city centre, in the so-called Financial City, where these two skyscrapers were located.

Interludes from Chinese Class: Wenshu Monastery

On my last weekend in Chengdu, I moved out of my homestay. My Chinese classes have finally wrapped up, and I have allocated a few extra days on my own before I flew back home. I had a hotel near the Wenshu Monastery, so after checking in, I decided to explore this historical area.

Interludes from Chinese Class: People's Park

After exploring the eastern suburbs, I headed back to the centre of Chengdu. I got off the metro in Tianfu Square, but from there I walked westwards to go to People's Park. I wanted to check out an outdoor area, given that the weather was rather favourable that day.

Interludes from Chinese Class: Eastern Suburb Memory

One Sunday morning, I decided to head east. The weather has improved, and so I wanted to explore Chengdu. I ended up in Dongjiao Jiyi, or Eastern Suburb Memory. This is where Chengdu's industrial past gets modernised.

Interludes from Chinese Class: Dufu Thatched Cottage

One weekend, on a Saturday, I decided to visit Dufu's Thatched Cottage. Before visiting Chengdu, I didn't even know who Dufu was. But now I know.

Interludes from Chinese Class: Gudashengci Temple

One morning, when I had plenty of time to kill before my Chinese class, I went to a nearby temple. The Gudashengci Temple was a short walk away, and it was also the Lantern Festival, so there was increased activity. I wanted to check it out.

Interludes from Chinese Class: Anshun Bridge

One of the things I saw while in Chengdu was the Anshun Bridge. Literally, the name of the bridge means "Bridge of the Peaceful and Fluent". It contains a large restaurant.

Interludes from Chinese Class

Yes, I spent two weeks in Chengdu, with the primary goal of enrolling myself in a Chinese language course. Hence, as much as I had plenty of time in the city, I also devoted the majority of it to language learning, and not to sight-seeing. In any case, I still had some time to see things, and this travelogue will showcase these findings.