In the late afternoon (after we had made our way back from the market and after a short break at the hotel) I decided, to leave the old part of town behind and cross the Daugava River to the South Side of town, to get a view of the non-touristy part of town. I made way across Stone Bridge, heading towards the National Library of Latvia and on towards the Monument to Soviet soldiers – liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from German fascist invaders (its real name – built in 1985 – clearly lacking the reference to the great patriotic war; currently off limits). I made my way back through Victory Park and across Vanšu Bridge – and got back into old town in good time for a simple Asian-inspired dinner.

Post-dinner drinks though had to be special again, as we made our way to to the Radisson Blu hotel and its Skyline Bar on the 26th floor, featuring great views of town.