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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Aug 22, 2021 08:00 PM Crossing the border to Estonia.
It was 8.30 am when I started from Ciesis, driving country roads first to Valmeira, then to Anazi near the border crossing point. The side roads were almost empty. Nobody stopped me at the border, I just drove through! But few kilometers further on the police were stopping all cars, checking documents. They were very friendly explaining that, Belarus illegally released immigrants to Latvia and they do not want them here.
An hour later I entered the city of Parnu - first Estonian township on my new trail
Parnu suffered a lot from the wars. It's castle was destroyed with the exception of one tower - Red Tower. I saw also nice St Catherine orthodox church founded by the Catherine the Great. But today Parnu if famous for the wide beach, than the monuments. I saw it - there is pavilion where they offer mud baths. The beach itself is wide and clean, but almost enpty because the end of the season.
I found my Vietesina pension picturesquely located just near the river bridge. Lovely, sunny day is ending. Tomorrow I will know more about nowadays Estonia...
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Aug 21, 2021 08:00 PM Three castles in one day, even four!
Little Latvia has many castles to see. Some of them are picturesque ruins, but still worth a visit due to the scenery. Today I started driving early, heading to historic Sigulda overlooking the nice Gauja River. Near the New Castle, wchich is rather a palace hosting the museum you vill find the ruins of Livonian Order Castle. There is a nice view from the courtyard over the river and Turaida castle is visible on the other side. The seniors pay 4,30 euro to enter Turaida. This red brick castlte is nicely restored and has the museum, Krimulda castle on the same bank is not worth to see - just few stone walls hidden in the forest.
The highlight of the day was a castle in Cesis, where I arrived at 3 pm.
It is partly riuned but you can still climb two towers - the west one with provided lantern. On the top of the tower there is fantastic sound and light projection about the history of the castle.
In the courtyard of Cesis castle there are working workshops of smith, blacksmith, medieval tailor and more. The craftmen work in the historic costumes. Geat experience?
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Aug 20, 2021 08:00 PM Widest waterfall of Europe, Versailles of Latvia
I started from Liepaja at 9.30, heading initially to the old town of Kuldiga. Roads are almost empty in this part of Curland so at 11 am I was alredy walking the streets of Kuldiga. Why I made a detour? Fellow Latvian from the hostel convinced me to visit this little known township. Kuldiga is proud to offer the longest brick bridge in Europe (164 m long) and widest waterfall in Europe (249 m wide) Well, the waterfall is less the 2 m high, but it is still something special!
From Kuldiga I was driving to the Jevel of Latvia - the Rundale Palace near Bauska. They call this palace Versailles of Latvia and they do not exaggerate... You have to pay 12 euro (no discounts) to visit the nicely restored palace and glorious garden. People are coming here for the marriage ceremonies (I attended one, enjoying lovely live chamber music). Roses in the rose garden were still in blossom. And inside the palace - thousands of paintings, sculptures to enjoy. Rundale is a must if you are in Latvia! It was already 7 pm when I reached the cottage near the Lithuanian border where I will spend the night...
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Aug 19, 2021 08:00 PM Tsar's prison, golden domes of St Nocolas
In the past Latvia was conquered by Russian tsars. Liepawa, where I was today was since then important naval base. Karosta quarter, separated by canal was top secret place also during communist period. Now ot os possible to see there remains of old military installations - first of all - Karosta prison (entry fee 5 euro with a guide). 7 rulers one by one kept here their military prisoners including Germans during WW2. Want you try the conditions? Part of the prison is used as a hostel! You can spend the night in the cell :) for the fee of course.
In the same quarter tsar built for the sailors imposing naval cathedral
It is restored and open. The golden domes are visible from the distance...
Apart Karosta Liepaja has a lot to offer - in the old town in the ornate Trinity Church you can admire the biggest organ in the world (that's what they say). Between St Anna and St Joseph there is old and busy Peter's Market. How about spending en evening in the modern Amber Concert Hall near the river promenade?...
What an interesting day!
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Aug 18, 2021 08:00 PM Courland by car and by foot
The sun appeared when I was leaving Jurmala at 9.30 am. Lucky me!
Along the east coast of Courland (here they call it Kurzeme) I aas driving empty roads to the Cape Kolka - the northernmost tip of Courland. The population here is very small. The Cape itself is almost flat, but still picturesque during stormy weather like today. Then I drove along the western coast, making side trips to the historic lighthouses, enjoying the great nature of Slitere National Park... The entry to the parks is free!
The final accent of the day was the visit to Ventspilis - nice port located in the moutch of wide Venta river. They have there two nice San Nicolas Churches: Russian Orthodox and Evangelic. Once, exploring Tobago Island I saw the fort, established by the prince Jacob, duke of Courland. His ships were departing to America just from Ventspilis. This was a long day: I arrived to the my next destination only at 6 pm. But whar a day! I drove 310 kms! And my phone registered more than 8000 done!
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Aug 17, 2021 08:00 PM In Latvia after years...
Polish Airlines do not care much nowadays about their passengers. When I was buying my ticket to Riga the departure from Gdansk was at 8 am. Later they cancelled my flight offering instead the other one - at 5.30 am. So I was forced to wake up in the middle of the night and wait more then 4 hours for the connection in Warsaw.
It was cloudy and light rain in Riga, when we landed there. I rented a car (instead requested small VW polo they gave me brand new Peugeot 200) and drove to Jurmala - number one Latvian resort on the Baltic Sea. It is off the season here. The town is nice with a lot of green and flowers in the streets. There are still many old-fashioned timber houses, sometimes very ornate. At the end of main pedestrian street - Jomas stands lovely Russian orthodox church. walkind Jurmala' streets surprisely you're will hear more Russian then Latvian language. But the people are nice. I stay in the big block from communist era. It is time to rest - tomorrow I will drive to Curland.
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Aug 16, 2021 08:00 PM New journey!
I'm starting another solo journey! A year ago, I was trying to implement the plan to tour two Baltic republics by car, but the outbreak of the pandemic closed the door in my face (Latvia clodes the border for Polish citizens) and I had to cancel all reservations. Hope to be successful this time! :)
I'll fly to Riga by LOT plane, I rent a small car at the airport and then I intend to drive two large loops through the territories of Latvia and Estonia, visiting monuments and national parks along the way, which are difficult to reach by public transport. It will be about 2,000 kilometers in total... I have visited Latvia and Estonia before - in 2003. But then I was still working professionally and there was only enough time to visit the capitals of these small republics. Now I am also going to visit many other interesting places, take a closer look at people and interesting culture... Please keep your fingers crossed for good weather! :)
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Aug 15, 2021 08:00 PM Ladies in Wojtkowka
Three ladies from different corners of Poland visited me in my Wojtkowka. They also travel (at the moment not so far) and they wanted to meet me and listen to my travel stories. Why not? It was short, but very pleasant visit. They bought my book with a special dedication and promised to be back next year! :)
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Aug 08, 2021 08:00 PM Driving home...
The way back home from Lake Wigry was again over 400 kilometers of driving - and, in addition, with some adventures. On the way, I stopped in Lidzbark Warmi?ski to remember what the local castle looks like, which I once saw during a school trip:
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Aug 07, 2021 08:00 PM On The Wigry Lake
On the peninsula on the other side of the lake there is the former Camaldolese monastery. It is the main tourist attraction in this area. Of course, I couldn't help but visit such an interesting place. The fortified monastery, built in 17th century seems even more impressive up close. The weather was not very good there, but the view is still impressive. This lonely tower on the right is a clock tower which you can enter for a fee to admire the panorama of the area.
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