£9 bus from RIGA, Latvia to TALLINN, Estonia

[@aleksnarjanen939]

About buses... When travelling in the Baltics, the best choice is always to choose Lux Express, the Estonian bus company with the largest fleet in the Baltics. Your bus unfortunately was some kind of cheapest one. Lux Express buses always have your seat booked, free coffee and tea, toilets, multimedia screens with movies and music, high speed WiFi available. Some buses also have a lounge area where you have a personal seat with a table and no one sitting next to you.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, Aleks! Appreciate it. Yes, I've heard the bus company you mentioned is a great choice when visiting the Baltics. Even so, I had a great view of the beautiful snowy landscape from the window seat of the less luxurious bus :)

[@willieexplore]

@MiracoloItaliano2.0 your rant makes no sense? Who are you responding to?

[@MCrue2]

@MiracoloItaliano2.0 Restart your bot, Ivan :)

[@raunce91]

I took the same FlixBus from Kaunas to Tallinn just a few months ago, luckily got the green bus with the logos, wifi and clean windows, not a white replacement one so luckily the seat I chose for an extra euro or two, existed and no one sat there. It was better but absolutely terrible to sleep in. Definitely didn't have a stop where ever you stopped, but did have a stop in Pärnu, a lovely old couple who sat behind me went on a holiday there. Did have a passport check before Pärnu though, stopped for about 40 minutes and 2 guys might have continued their journey in a Police van. The Lux Express one was driving ahead of us and got to Tallinn on time. In fact, Lux Express is a lot more comfortable for sleeping. About saunas, they are probably older than the time Finns, Estonians, Livonians, Karelians etc. separated from each other so the traditions are pretty much the same, but Estonians didn't really have a voice to introduce their traditions for the most part of the last century so the Estonian traditions about saunas, vikings and so on are more associated with our neighbours who share similar traditions but got to live in the free world at the time these things gained popularity.

[@willieexplore]

Hi! Thank you so much for your comment and sharing your experiences with us. As for the bus, I never thought of the white bus as the replacement, but I think you are onto something there! I managed to get the green one from Vilnius to Riga and had wifi on that one, so that would make a lot of sense. As for the sauna thing, I am sure there is a lot of friendly banter between Estonia and Finland ;)

[@raunce91]

@@willieexploreNot much banter from people who think the covid rule of 2m was restricting our natural 6m social distancing policy, but we do have a sort of fair trade operation going on that Estonian criminals go to live in Finland on their own free will to commit petty crimes there and Finns travel to Baltics for cheaper alcohol.

[@rupsikas1950]

Yeah, I would advise you not to say that "sauna is more of a Finnish thing" or even worse "Estonia copied the sauna" to any Estonians :D The Sauna tradition originated from times before the Estonians and Finns actually split from each other to two separate nations (we were one nation 2000 years ago and still are closely related). And Finns know that they don't have any more "claim" to the sauna as we do, don't worry about that :)

[@willieexplore]

I was adding a bit of South African sarcasm to the vlog ;) I also know about the wife carrying rivalry with Finland!

[@rupsikas1950]

@@willieexplore To be fair, the wife carrying competition is a thing that is generally unknown to the public but it is indeed said that we are big rivals in that sport :)

[@willieexplore]

@@laurienator ok then, Lauri! Thanks for watching!

[@linasma235]

The Lithuanian tradition of sauna use is believed to date back to the Stone Age. The oldest saunas were heated by heating stone ovens and served not only a cleansing, but also a social or ceremonial purpose. They were used for healing, childbirth, bathing and bathing the dead, and for initiations. The community baths were used for meetings and conferences. Baths existed in one form or another throughout northern and eastern Europe.Smoke baths are considered the most archaic in the region.:)

[@rupsikas1950]

@@linasma235 Right, and you can find various other versions of a sauna, dating back thousands of years, all over the world

[@sheilam4525]

Another bargain bus ride, Willie👍. I have to say I know nothing about Tallin but it appears to be a popular place so I am looking forward to seeing it. As for which I preferred of the last two, I would have to say Riga. Best wishes for 2024!

[@willieexplore]

Happy 2024, Sheila! Hope this is a wonderful year for you :) I am looking forward to showing you some of Tallinn in the upcoming vlogs. Lots to see! Riga certainly is a great choice ;)

[@RameXRacing]

09:05 You are on border crossing Ainazi (LAT) - Ikla (EST)

[@willieexplore]

That's great! Thanks for letting me know :)

[@FloridaFlipFlops]

Like 41 👍 Greetings from Naples, Florida. That was awesome! Nice bus ride, and we enjoyed your walk. Look at all that snow! Thank you for sharing with us, Happy New Year! 💯

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much for watching and for your kind words! Hope you have a wonderful 2024 as well in Florida!

[@Journeys-travelwithme]

beautiful tour 😊thanks for sharing and a happy new year🎉

[@willieexplore]

Thank you so much! All the best for 2024 to you too :)

[@chckzchck]

I’m planing to visit Tallinn and Riga next Spring by bus like you. Great knowledge from your video. Thanks!

[@willieexplore]

Glady you found it useful! I value your support and hope you have a great trip :)

[@mayousimon1]

Brilliant video Willie thanks for showing this opportunity to view and informative subject thanks!

[@willieexplore]

Thank you Simon! All the best for the new year my friend!

[@toscabrutus1781]

Willie lekker bus trip! Groete op die nuwe jaar!

[@willieexplore]

Dankie Tosca! Lekker vyf ure gewees in die vreemde

[@AZqyc]

Hi Willie ... have a very happy, productive, safe, and fun new year!! Can hardly wait to see where you're off to next!

[@willieexplore]

And a very happy 2024 to you too, Jim! Hope it is a wonderful one across the pond. Cheers as always for watching and commenting!

[@Swanoaks]

Hello Willie, Enjoyed the journey and the landscape through dirty windows, lol. All that snow wow! Hope you have a great time and I will be with you throughout your time in Tallinn: Kiwi from Virginia.

[@willieexplore]

Hello Swanoaks, happy 2024 to you! The snowy landscape is not a common sight in the Southern Hemisphere, so even through a dirty window it was magical! Glad you're looking forward to the Tallinn videos. All the best!

[@barbaraskitchen-ju]

I’ve been to Estonia in 2023 I loved it 🇺🇸

[@willieexplore]

Wonderful place to visit! Thanks for watching :)

[@davidgerber6385]

lekkerbly willie, en geniet die klein vakansie daar, gelukkige nuwe jaar ook!

[@willieexplore]

Baie dankie David, hoop dit is 'n wonderlike jaar vir jou ook! Maak dit 'n grote. Willie

[@toomasargel8503]

24:01 Finsh are our brothers man.. Sauna is poular in Estonia too and in our culture too maany ceneries least on Maht war time was in historibooks mentioned ( 1558 A.D. )

[@willieexplore]

You may not like it but most people associate saunas with Finland.

[@travel_and_explore_with_BIP]

Happy New Year Willie!🍺🍺 Very fascinating for me to get to see Tallin as I’ve never been to Estonia despite being half Estonian! Looking forward to more!

[@willieexplore]

Good times ahead my friend! Make sure you stay tuned for the rest of the series, you will really enjoy the Tallinn videos I'm sure :)

[@toomasargel8503]

22:09 only in Estonia is 54 Town/cies = every town 1 weejlk week = 54 weeks only in Estonia nd others even more = 4 yers lst trip if You want proporly know Baltics.

[@willieexplore]

Interesting!

[@salafi2038]

Tallinn looks quite wealthy, could potentially have higher living standards than UK if not for 50 years under soviet occupation

[@willieexplore]

I'm not an expert on living standards statistics, but Tallinn is an extremely impressive city - the Silicon Valley of Europe!

[@rupsikas1950]

The living standards are ALREADY better than some parts of western Europe despite the 50 year long occupation.

[@kulnokaiklem]

Estonia the Baltic Tiger - it is a nice documentary about Estonia in YuuTuube.

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

Great journey but a little cold for me. I remember monitoring these places way back in the Soviet Bloc era.

[@willieexplore]

Hi Chris, happy new year to you! Yes, might be too cold for one of your walks :)

[@toomasargel8503]

20:15 ID and car documents and incurance keep with You ( Passport if out of EU )

[@willieexplore]

Sounds important, thanks!

[@toomasargel8503]

17:16 tht was cheap . but if You pay /take 25 euro ticket bus You have wiFi ,personl tablet with internet, head phones 2 euro rent and WC plus 1 bottle wter and get extr 2 euro if more water. + cafe maschine 3 euro one cup. personl AC controls.

[@willieexplore]

Something to do next time! Thanks for watching!

[@gohardorgohome7687]

Hey Willie , good to see you made it to Talin safely . I can't wait to see more of the wonderful city . I wish you a Happy new year all the best to you and your family 🙏👊

[@willieexplore]

And a very happy and prosperous 2024 to you too, my friend! Thanks for all your support and encouragement. Let's make this year a good one!

[@Sirka888]

TALLINN!

[@martinkoitmae6655]

Tallinn is freeeezing right now. Take care!

[@willieexplore]

Stay warm my friend! And all the best for 2024 :)

[@kirill1848]

Sorry for your questionable travel experience, for trips around the Baltics I advise you to always choose LUX Express buses - it is a few euros more expensive, but you are guaranteed to reserve a specific seat, as well as all the services such as Wi-Fi, multimedia screen, free drinks, clean windows. Welcome back to Tallinn!

[@willieexplore]

Cheers, it was not luxury but it got me from A to B!

[@toomasargel8503]

22:28 Tallinn is t Estonia 3,1 % of territory = if 3 night enough of Tllinn then least 99 other daays/nights needed for all Estonia discovery.

[@VeganTeacher]

Hello, what kind of coat did you wear for that trip? Do you recommend any brand?

[@willieexplore]

Hi! I wore two coats and thermals, and sometimes another layer in the form of a sweater or jersey. I'd definitely recommend good thermals.

[@VeganTeacher]

@@willieexplore As you've experienced it before, do you think it's a good time to explore Vilnius, Riga, Tallin and Helsinki in January? Thank you.

[@willieexplore]

@@VeganTeacher it is always a good time to visit this part of the world :)

[@edwardrodgers9383]

God, it looks bloody-cold!🤺🇦🇺🐊🦘

[@willieexplore]

It was not warm, let me tell you! Cheers for watching and all the best for 2024 :)

[@edwardrodgers9383]

@@willieexplore, I enjoy your program Willie: ...... at Christmas Australians are going to the beach and diving into their swimming-pools. All the best for 2024!🦘

[@willieexplore]

@@edwardrodgers9383 really appreciate the kind words Edward! It's the same in South Africa, definitely a very different Christmas and New Years experience!

[@henrikmanitski1061]

Sauna culture in Estonia is as old as in Finland.

[@willieexplore]

I know mate, a bit of South African sarcasm there ;)

[@xwiirastusx]

Am I mistaken to guess you are originally from South Africa? My next question being Cape Town or Johannesburg?

[@willieexplore]

Hi mate, yes I'm from South Africa. Grew up in various parts but predominantly around the Cape Town area and, in particular, Lambert's Bay. I have some vlogs on my channel about Lambert's Bay if you're really interested :)

[@xwiirastusx]

@@willieexplore I knew it. Thank you so much! I thought I detected an Afrikaans accent. I suspected Dutch at first but the effortless flow in the way you speak English swayed me towards South Africa.

[@jaadarl3902]

You should try to visit countries like bosnia , serbia , Philippines and kyrgyztan

[@willieexplore]

Definitely some interesting suggestions there. Cheers!

[@toomasargel8503]

26:15 3 star hotel

[@willieexplore]

Why do you care?

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

Remember: the capital of Finland is Helsinki, and the capital of Estonia is Tallinn......

[@toomasargel8503]

02:40 Ws sitution . I want buy ticket to Jurmala . and she sid over loud spekers no bus to Jurmala go to traain. Sorry no need say trhu loudspeakers I am tourist and do know how.

[@willieexplore]

Sorry I lost you there a bit, but thanks for watching!

[@toomasargel8503]

Better py 25 euro buss ticket nd get bus with WC / caafe / tblet use / movie/music on hedphones , good C nd not drunk paassangers.

[@willieexplore]

Next time I will try that! Thanks for watching