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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
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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Aug 06, 2021 08:00 PM Wigry Travellers Festival
Invited by the local entrepreneur Mr Arek I was driving today more then 300 kms east - mostly along the Russian border to give my presentation. The roads are not too bed but windy and almost empty. . I had a chance to enjoy lake and forestal landscapes.
The festival is hosted by Wigry Lake Museum located in Wigry National Park, just on the bank of the lake.
The weather in the evening is sunny. I took the walk along the coast waiting for my presentation slot. Let's hope that the a/c lecture hall will be full! :)
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Jul 22, 2021 08:00 PM Sailors and travellers in my dacha...
We have lovely, hot and sunny summer in Gdansk this year. Flowers are all around. I am receiving many friends, sailors and travellers, offering them fresh fruits and the travel stories. It is real paradise for me. Yesterday we celebrated 36th anniversary of Wojtkowka! :) See my good friend Ela on the picture...
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Jul 17, 2021 08:00 PM "Zejman" Club is open again!
As my friends know there in the old town of Gdansk there is Sailors and Travellers Club Zejman located in the old city gate (Brama Nizinna). The club was closed a long time because the COVID pandemia. But today I can announce that it is open again. I was attending the concert of the NEMO band. See me on the picture with the leader of NEMO, my friend Jacek Miaskowski. We had a good time this evening listening to the shanties and talking with the old friends. Welcome to Zejman!
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