Showing posts with label Cruise Ships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cruise Ships. Show all posts
Friday, July 13, 2012
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Goodwill and generosity of the people of Riga, Latvia will always be a cherished memory
From the Baltic Times Newspaper - Good Samaritans in Riga
9 Sept 2010
I am writing to share a story of kindness and generosity we experienced on Aug. 26, 2010 in Riga. My wife and I, along with another couple, were in a taxi returning from Brivdabas Muzejs to our ship, which was docked near Old Town. Unfortunately, as we drove along, our taxi collided with another car in a serious accident.
Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. Although not hurt, we were dazed and had several aches and pains. As we stood on the sidewalk, many people gathered to look at the accident. Among them was a young couple who came up to us and spoke to us in English. We were unable to speak the local language so this young couple was like an angel to us. We asked them if they would act as interpreters, which they graciously did. They offered us water. They invited to let us sit in their car out of the chilly wind. They even offered to give us a ride to our ship, but their car was too small to accommodate the four of us. They eventually called another cab for us, so we could get back to our ship before departure time.
The second cab arrived and took us to our ship. When we exited the cab and attempted to pay the fare, the driver said: “You do not need to pay. I have already been paid” and held up money he had been holding in his hand. We do not know who paid the fare. As we boarded the ship, we were not thinking about the bad accident we had just experienced, but we were thinking of the kindness shown to four strangers in Riga. The goodwill and generosity of the people of Riga, Latvia will always be a cherished memory.
Gratefully, Four American visitors, David McAllister
PS: We forgot to get the contact information of the young couple. He had lived in Ireland for several months and learned to speak very good English. The girl had learned her English in school. To both of them, a big THANK YOU.
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9 Sept 2010
I am writing to share a story of kindness and generosity we experienced on Aug. 26, 2010 in Riga. My wife and I, along with another couple, were in a taxi returning from Brivdabas Muzejs to our ship, which was docked near Old Town. Unfortunately, as we drove along, our taxi collided with another car in a serious accident.
Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. Although not hurt, we were dazed and had several aches and pains. As we stood on the sidewalk, many people gathered to look at the accident. Among them was a young couple who came up to us and spoke to us in English. We were unable to speak the local language so this young couple was like an angel to us. We asked them if they would act as interpreters, which they graciously did. They offered us water. They invited to let us sit in their car out of the chilly wind. They even offered to give us a ride to our ship, but their car was too small to accommodate the four of us. They eventually called another cab for us, so we could get back to our ship before departure time.
The second cab arrived and took us to our ship. When we exited the cab and attempted to pay the fare, the driver said: “You do not need to pay. I have already been paid” and held up money he had been holding in his hand. We do not know who paid the fare. As we boarded the ship, we were not thinking about the bad accident we had just experienced, but we were thinking of the kindness shown to four strangers in Riga. The goodwill and generosity of the people of Riga, Latvia will always be a cherished memory.
Gratefully, Four American visitors, David McAllister
PS: We forgot to get the contact information of the young couple. He had lived in Ireland for several months and learned to speak very good English. The girl had learned her English in school. To both of them, a big THANK YOU.
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Hop on Hop Off Bus Tours Riga Latvia convenient for Cruise Ship Arrivals
There are two companies offering a Hop On Hop Off style bus tours in Riga Latvia.
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Both have their main start/stop location located at City Hall Square next to the Occupation Museum and called Ratslaukums or Strelnieku Square in Latvian language.
This is about 15 blocks South of the Riga Passenger Ferry Terminal where the Stockholm Ferry docks as well as most cruise ships. Just walk down the river prominade sidewalk South to the second bridge (Stone Bridge - Ackmens tilts)
The Original HansaBuss Hop on Hop Office bus company (red colored double decker buses)does not accept credit cards.
The Riga Sightseeing Bus Company does claim to accept credit cards and maybe Euros for payment.
Most (99.5%) of place in Riga do not accept Euros or US Dollar currency for payment.
Best to pay in Latvian Ls currency.
There are many bank ATM machines located in street kiosks and you will get the best exchange rate when you use these cash points with your bank ATM or debit card.
The HansaBuss Hop on Hop Off system departure point closest to the Riga Ferry Terminal is from City Hall Square next to the Occupation Museum and called Ratslaukums or Strelnieku Square in Latvian language.
The Riga Sightseeing company (yellow busses) offers several routes and does have a stop at the Riga Ferry terminal area.
Price is the same at 10 Ls (15 Euros) per person.
There is a self guided walking tour available from the In Your Pocket Guide book.
Download a copy of the guide booklet at:
A short video of the walking tour (see video below) and download information from:
Patricia Tourist Office offers a FREE self directed guide of the Art Nouveau section of Riga. You may download a copy at:
Our Riga City tour information is at: http://www.rigaguide.com
We offer a three (+) hour walking tour of Old Riga and the Art Nouveau district for 70 Ls ( about 100 Euros).
This tour is guided by a professional guide and we can arrange to meet at your arrival point at the pier area.
Maps at: http://www.rigamaps.com
Photos at: http://www.rigaphotos.com
More photos: http://www.rigalatvia.net/live/
Take tram 7 or 9 from the opera house (down the hill toward the cinema) and exit at the 10th (tenth) stop called Atputas centrs "Lido" - the stop just before is: Lubanas iela. Purchase tickets from the driver first car - price 0.70 Ls per trip per person (about US$1.50).
Return to city center by tram 7 or 9 and exit city center at the Opera house or proceed two stops further and exit Ausekļa iela which is close to the Riga Passenger port (1 block to river from tram stop)
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Saturday, June 14, 2008
Large Cruise Ship Dock is NOT close to Riga City Center
Riga Latvia Cruse Ship Docks - There are two different docks for cruise passenger ships in Riga Latvia.
One is the passenger port on Exporta & November Krastmala Streets which is about 5 blocks from Riga's Old City.
But, this port is dock facility is for the smaller ships below approximately 600 passengers.
Large cruise ships dock at a closed customs secure port facility about 30 minutes North of Riga's Old City.
Click View larger map link at bottom of map and select specific locations from tab list on left hand side.
View Larger Map
Public transport access is NOT available form this closed port facility. Maybe (low probability) there will be taxis at the dock to take passengers to the city center. If there are, beware of overcharging.
Contact your cruise line for shore cruise possibilities using they tour providers.
Maybe there will be a cruise line provided shuttle bus to city center. In the past years, this bus leaves LAST after all organized tour bussses leave the dock. This delays your arrival in Riga City Center.
If you have a choice, take a shuttle bus to Riga City Hall Town Hall square next to the Occupation Museum. Alternatively take a bus to either Freedom Monument or the Opera House.
click for Riga City Center Maps
click for Riga Latvia Museums
click for what to see in Riga City Center
click for Riga Latvia Visitor Information
click for photos of Riga Latvia
One is the passenger port on Exporta & November Krastmala Streets which is about 5 blocks from Riga's Old City.
But, this port is dock facility is for the smaller ships below approximately 600 passengers.
Large cruise ships dock at a closed customs secure port facility about 30 minutes North of Riga's Old City.
Click View larger map link at bottom of map and select specific locations from tab list on left hand side.
View Larger Map
Public transport access is NOT available form this closed port facility. Maybe (low probability) there will be taxis at the dock to take passengers to the city center. If there are, beware of overcharging.
Contact your cruise line for shore cruise possibilities using they tour providers.
Maybe there will be a cruise line provided shuttle bus to city center. In the past years, this bus leaves LAST after all organized tour bussses leave the dock. This delays your arrival in Riga City Center.
If you have a choice, take a shuttle bus to Riga City Hall Town Hall square next to the Occupation Museum. Alternatively take a bus to either Freedom Monument or the Opera House.
click for Riga City Center Maps
click for Riga Latvia Museums
click for what to see in Riga City Center
click for Riga Latvia Visitor Information
click for photos of Riga Latvia
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