The Best of the Baltics

After a week along the coast of the Baltic Sea and I'm in love with this post-Soviet paradise. Estonia is the most sparsely populated country in Europe- yah but, sparsely populated with really, really beautiful women. Hot Damn! We were in Tallinn for about an hour until we were walking down a cobblestone street and confronted with- Boo yah- a team of 8 blond haired, blue eyed goddesses. The next morning, with my jaw back in place, Chris and I had a set off to explore the medieval city.

Two days in Tallinn was perfect, then it was time to hit the road and catch the ferry to an island I can't pronounce and a town spelled Kusarree (I think, but we never really figured out how to pronounce it).

I think it was safe to say that Chris and I were the only Americans (or non-Estonians for that matter) in town. But it was pretty awesome because in Kursarree you don't get the feeling it's built for tourism- even the castle felt like there might still be a king living in it.

After Kussarree we drove to Parnu- a beach town where it rained. So we watched Walker Texas Ranger on TV. I dont have any pictures, but close your eyes and picture Ranger Walker kicking the crap out of 20 dudes with uzzies. It was sweet!

After that we went to Sigulda and Cesis. I bet you didn't know that Latvia has a rugged mountain terrain... well it's doesn't. But there is one place that kind of reminded me of the mountain loop highway back home without the mountains. Chris and I were able to stretch our legs a bit, hike around the valley, cross a cable car, and wander through medieval castles. Then we had beers at the top of the saddest ski resort I've ever seen.

Then came Jurmala, Latvia. Oh boy, the foggy memories I have of this place will stay with me forever. First off, the town was cool and the beach was great. That said, in the evening we went to a bar and sat down to watch one of the most outstanding spectacles of my entire life- A parade of such beautiful girls it was mind boggling- I felt like I was in a rap video. Polished the night off with a 2am swim in the Baltic Sea... I think a few folks might have gotten phone calls...

After Jurmala we spent the last two nights in Riga. A nice enough city, but after the week we'd just had I think it was pretty hard for us to get too impressed. The highlight of Riga was their Occupation Museum- an overview of the 70+ year saga of being occupied by first the Soviets, then the Nazis, and then the Soviets agian. In all seriousness, anybody who's lived through it all has had a really tough life.

Great trip- a place I probably wouldn't get to visit if I wasn't living in London. Two countries so close together, yet so different. The Estonians are perhaps the most friendly Europeans I've met while the Latvians, well, kind of remind me of the French. I wasn't accosted in a bathroom like Paris, but I was twice refused the sale of ice cream- once by a really old lady and once by a kid who looked like Harry Potter.

Like the pics? There's plenty more where they come from HERE

Got a couple other updates on the way soon, so check back in a few days...

The Bob and Marcia European Tour
Bavarian Invasion

Well the saga continues... after loosing touch for a week while mom and dad made their way though France, over the Swiss alps (and I mean over- they even made it- via gondola- to the summit of a 10,000 foot peak!) and into the beauty of Austria. Like clock work we met up in the tiny town of Reutte, Austria on Friday night.

After a nice dinner and a few drinks, we bunked down and in the morning we were off- mom and dad to explore Bavaria on their way to Italy and Chris, Monica and I off to explore the land of the Bier Garten is search of the Hofbrauhaus... Good luck to mom and dad- one more week of madness before the Roman finale!

So, I love Munich. I mean I really love Munich!

And the reason for do...

The Hofbrauhaus!

AKA- The happiest place on Earth!!!! (except in the 30s and early 40s)

And what do I love most about the Hofbrauhaus?

This guy!!!! I've probably been to the Hofbrauhaus 5 or 6 times on three trips and he's always been there! Three years ago he was Fung and I's waiter, and while he'll never know it, the truth is... I love him!

The football was amazing, didn't go to a game, but got to watch them is some really great places. This picture is in happier times... on Saturday before the games. After the game...
Man, I love Germany, but not as much as I love these guys-

A note about the World Cup in England-
It's been world cup madness overhere- a massive spectacle... I've been in the pubs watching the games every night and I have to say, over the past two weeks I completely got behind the England squad- I found myself much more attached and passionate about their matches than those boys from back home... and after the star spangled boy's less than inspiring performance I officially jumped ship and joined the home team- "Come on England." Unfortunately, I bought my jersey only in time to jinx the team. The English describe their team like New Englanders describe the Red Soxs- I feel their pain.