In this latest series, I will be going through all the countries I’ve travelled to on my mission to visit every single country in the world. In this article, we will be covering countries #74, 75, and 76: Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. If you haven’t gotten a chance already, read this story first to find out why I’m trying to visit all 193 UN-recognized countries.
VIDEO – Country #74, 75, 76: Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
Blog post on Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
- My Complete Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, and Ukraine Spending Breakdown
- The Final Bus Journey of My One Year Trip Through Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
Lithuania
My flight from Belarus landed safely in Vilnius. From here, I made my way to the bus station where I would be taking the final bus ride of my one year trip around the world.
After arriving at the bus station, I did a quick look around the area before calling it a day and making my way inside the train station.
I sat in the lobby feeling restless. This was the final long bus ride of my one year trip. Normally, I hate these long bus rides; but, for this final one, I was looking forward to it.
Before long, I boarded the Eurolines bus that will take me through Lithuania, Latvia, and finally ending in Estonia.
Latvia
I fell asleep as soon as the bus left Lithuania and I didn’t wake up again until we arrived in Riga, Latvia. Just outside the window of the bus depot, someone started screaming “FUCK LATVIA” constantly at the top of his lungs. I’ve been travelling for so long now that crazy outburst like this doesn’t even phase me anymore. I am just so accustomed to the chaos of long term travel that this crazy fellow’s yelling doesn’t surprise me one bit.
After the bus left Riga, I fell asleep again.
Estonia
Shockingly, we arrived in Tallinn, Estonia quicker than I thought.
Still, a little bit dazed from sleeping on the bus, I glanced around in the new country and new city that I am in.
“Hmm…” I thought to myself, I think I like Tallinn the best out of all these Baltic countries I’ve travelled to in this short period of time. If I ever return back to any of those three countries, it would definitely be to Estonia.
I glanced at the time and it’s 5 hours before my flight to Amsterdam would be departing. Normally, I would take the risk and check out the city centre. But I felt fatigued and the only way I can really pull this off is if I hired a taxi. My bank account was completely drained and I had no money left to spend.
Hence, I made my way to Tallinn airport and waited for my flight to depart.
Flight back home to Canada
After staying overnight in an airport Best Western hotel in Amsterdam, I boarded my final overseas flight going to Dallas, Texas.
From Dallas, I took the final segment of my flights and finally arrived in Vancouver, Canada. I was home.
Conclusion
I had a touching reunion with my girlfriend, Karen, when I got out of the gate. She even got me my favourite Japanese food from my favourite Japanese food joint: Fukuroku Express. I was happy to see her.
A few days later, I got really sick. I think my body knew this was a safe place to fall apart after travelling so rough and so fast during the final month of my travels.
It was a weird feeling being back home because, to me, my home was now the road. I realize that for the next few years, I would have to hunker down and work to build up my savings again. And I look towards the future to my next big long term travel around the world.
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