Baltic Visitor

In a new post on All About Latvia, Aleks tells a tale which should serve as a warning to tourists planning a bus journey from Riga to Ventspils. With no rail connection to the port city, there is no other transport option unless you have a car – but at least after reading Aleks’ story you shouldn’t fall into the same traps which contributed to his hellish ride:

First of all, I presumed offices sold no more tickets than there are places. Second of all, I suspected seats will be available on the first come, first served basis.

I was wrong on both counts.

The article’s references to Ventspils as Lembergsville, incidentally, allude to Mayor Aviars Lembergs. Credited with overseeing the rapid growth of Ventspils since independence, which has largely been due to an influx of Russian oil money, Lembergs is one of the richest men in Latvia and is often described as an oligarch due to his combination of political and economic power. He is also believed to have significant media interests, but has managed to keep the sources of his wealth largely secret. He was arrested in March and faces charges of money laundering, tax violations and bribery. Released in July on health grounds, as I write this he is under house arrest.

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