F-15s

For Riga's Birthday, two F-15's flew over the city at noon.

I was lucky enough to get to go to the Riga Airport

to look at the planes before the flyover.

Even though I know it may seem silly, I really

enjoyed viewing them. I'd love to fly a plane!

You know all those cool cadgets that are in your

car? Well, there are even cooler cadgets inside

the cockpits of these planes. We weren't even allowed to

take pictures of the cockpits...but some

truly "cool" stuff!

Sigulda Castles

As with the rest of Europe, there are castles doting the country-side.

Just north of Riga is Sigulda, and there are 4 castles.

(They are pictured in the order visited.)

The above castle has been restored. It was mainly in ruins but

has been restored over the last 20 years. Many of the castles

in Eastern Europe have been damaged due to war and

neglect. Only years after being unihabited have they

been restored and preserved.

This and one other castle in Sigulda (which we didn't go

to because it doesn't even look like a castle) haven't

been restored. They are new enough that the owners

have been able to preserve them. We didn't get to

go inside this one because there was a wedding

taking place inside. One member of our group wanted

to crash the wedding, but all of us were dressed to

causually to even try and pull it off...not that I would've

done it anyway.

Rafting Trip

We went and rafted down one of the rivers just north of Riga.

It was a calm-peaceful trip, no-one feel out of the rafts.

I don't know when the last time was that I just did nothing

for two hours! Much needed...

Of course, it didn't take long for me to take off

my life-jacket (I mean, come on! I'm used to rapids!) and

turn around to sit on the outside of the raft to

view the scenery. It was really pretty and apparently

you can camp along-side the river (definitely next summer!)

Sassy frog...

Do I really need to say more?

I kissed a frog...

I was hoping that he'd turn into my "prince charming"...no such luck! I'll just have to keep looking!

Kandava

The branch that I attend went on a ward outing to a small town called Kandava. On our way there, we stopped by an old manor house that served as a hosptial during wars. It is now a museum.


We also stopped by this place that has a large rock out in the middle of nowhere. Which is apparently a big deal. There aren't a lot of big rocks in Latvia. The kids, and some of the adults climbed it. It is in a pretty meadow and then just behind is a small river that feeds into a bigger river.

More of Riga

Riga is near the Baltic Sea and is a port city. It also has a river, the Dugava running through the city. Unfortunately, the river has had a bunch of stuff dumped in it and so is not very clean. However, the locals do get in it and play and swim. One of the main bridges looks like the strings on a violin.