On to Riga

This morning we left to see the last few remaining Saaremaa sites before heading down to Riga. One of them is genuine Estonian village on the neighboring island Muhu. We must be jaded. Moss covered stone fences were nice but not out of this world.

Back on the ferry – everyone enjoyed ice-cream on the upper deck while the trip lasted.

The ride was pretty long but kids held out until the end. On the way we stopped over on the Latvian side and Georgia went for the dip. Isabella had no-sand day and stayed in the stroller almost the entire time. Periodically Georgia brought a bottle of sea water to her to wash her “blankie” – the diaper cloth off the sand.

We are staying in an awesome hotel: Konventa Seta hotel. Supposedly it used to be a convent before but now it is a closed system of apartment buildings, restaurants, galleries, and more. And in the heart of old town. The suite has great views and our car is parked downstairs with. Refreshed and rested we headed out to see the city.

It is looking even better than last time. A bunch of buildings had been renovated. A new square instead of half collapsed building is filled with coffee shops and features a stage. Juffin’s Dozen no more – it is now Garaze. There is still not a single playground and definite lack of greenery but is has become more pleasant. Lots of different varieties of drunks.

On the last one, it might have something to do with there being a basketball match between Latvia and Estonia here tonight. Crowds in yellow, green, and red are filling the street, some very drunk already. Chants "Something something Lietuva" from time to time from every direction. 

Then again it is not hard to get very drunk very fast. We went to have a dinner at a 100% Latvian restaurant - that's what the sign said. Dan and I ordered some beers, and bloodsausage and then he also asked for the national appetizer, and for something for the kids. As we were starting to feel a light buzz from the 15% proof beers, national appetizer was brought out. It consisted of several little dishes including really good honey, cheese platter, beans dish, and also 4 half a liter cups of more beer. We weren't about to let the good national appetizer to waste and plunged into the rest of the beer. In the end it was Georgia who asked the waiter to bring our bill because "Daddy got himself drunk already" - "Mozhno check, a to papa uzhe napilsya" He really did not, it was still a good buzz but it was the right move on her part.
  
The museum of occupation has some posters hanging outside to the effect of Soviet and Nazi occupation. They mention that Nazis destroyed a lot of Jews and recruited Latvians to assist with the killings. Not sure if anything changed inside the museum. But it is a good start.

Isabella was so happy that she was not in the car anymore that she could not quiet down. She must have been on her feet from 5 pm till 9pm. Georgia was already walking around glassy eyed. Isabella wants everything the Georgia has and repeats everything that she does. Georgia follows us when she eats ice-cream – so that Isabella would not see her – otherwise she would scream to take it away. Georgia is a great older sister and is very tolerant to her. On the other hand Isabella is good to her as well, most of the time. If she asks for a piece of bread, she asks for another one for Georgia and then tries to force feed it to her.