Let me take you to a place you may not even imagine it exists. As I visited Riga, Latvia´s capital city last September, I stayed at the Riga Island Hotel. I strolled around few times the traditional wooden houses bordering cobblestone streets and the morning just before leaving, took my camera and spent some time photographing the areas, while the sun was struggling to win over an early morning fog.
Now, looking back to the photos, I feel like it was one of priviledged moments one may always experience when taking the chance of discovering.
From my hotel, I just walked few minutes, passing by remnants of times most probably before Latvia´s independence, like this swimming pool that seemed very busy during the early week hours.
On the other side of the road, there were some block houses and even the campus and dormitory of the local technical university, which explained the diverse young population that we´ve encountered on the streets around the days before.
Soon after, the first samples of local architecture appeared and I had the chance to see all the details that made them such a sought- after by architecture lovers, me among them.
One of the distinctive notes is the twitched roof, but most famous are the wooden exterior walls, and while on Kipsala Island, will have the chance to admire many variations of it.
It was close to harvest time, and some of the locals were offering some self-service options: vegetables were left in kiosks, and those in need of some fresh veggies were free to pick them up and leave the price in a box. That reminded me from many similar kiosks I´ve encountered in German villages during summer time.
As I was making my entry to the island, I had the chance to see even more traditional houses. Many of the timbered houses dating from the beginning of the 20th century were recently renovated and provided with modern-day amenities.
A fishermen island, Kipsala is affected by gentrification, with the renovated timbered houses attracting a wealthier middle-class category interested in a quiet life, just few minutes away by car from Riga historical centre.
There are some organised private tours organised on the island, but some tourists may also be interested in visiting Žanis Lipske Museum, dedicated to
Žanis, a port worker, and his wife, Johanna Lipske who during the German occupation saved around 50 Jews in a bunker set in their home. The visit is free of charge. Both of them are recognized as
Righteous among Nations by Yad Vashem.
I haven´t see too much street art in Riga during my short stay, but was offered a last minute treat on the island.
Scaterred around the buildings, nature, like this huge apple tree, is marking its territory.
I am getting closer to the shore, walking slowly, camera armed, no soul in sight.
The houses are taking more space, freshly renovated, giving the impressing of just being finished. A feeling of being out-of-time breathing across the island.
The fog-embraced ponton shows the way through the maze of boats.
Reflections of silence and thoughts from another world.
Boats of all colours and inspirations quietly took over the shores. Some of their inhabitants are just waking up, maybe preparing to head soon to new shores.
I am trying to see the surrounding from different angles, moving alongside de the ponton.
There is always a reward of being patient and curious. As I am changing angles and perspectives, there is so much more revealing to me. It´s like the island is rewarding my persistence.
September feels still like a summer month in Riga, but the son´s strengths are little by little eaten out by the impatient autumn. The foggy morning was a warning of the incoming colder times.
So many boats, different styles and ages. Look, even a pirate´s boat !
The far ends of the islands are about to emerge from the morning fog.
Daugava river looked very quiet that day.
But the silence is about to be broken by the hurried men and women heading to work. There are around 1,100 people living on the 2,4 km island.
On the slopes, I cannot imagine a better place to watch sunsets and sunrises across the seasons.
I cannot decide which parts of the island are more picturesque, therefore I keep shooting everything that comes in the front of my eyes. I never regret my decision.
The times when Kipsala was a fishermen island may be long gone, but I´ve met real fishermen on the island.
Both the details of the landscape and of the nature are always offering a welcomed distraction.
As I am heading back to hotel, preparing to return to Berlin, I am enjoying the reward of an early morning of travel off-the-beaten path. It is always worth trying it, and will keep in mind those refreshing moments from my next travel adventures.
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