Latvia
A sandy Baltic beach.
6 July
We left Soomaa National Park and headed to the Baltic coast and Saulkrasti in Latvia to see the bike museum. It was quite a selection including a completely wooden bike (yes even the wheels, no tyres), a tandem able to be steered by the back cyclist as well as the front, different types of suspension and a very early electric bike. A riverside camp near Cesis was our next stop.
We left Soomaa National Park and headed to the Baltic coast and Saulkrasti in Latvia to see the bike museum. It was quite a selection including a completely wooden bike (yes even the wheels, no tyres), a tandem able to be steered by the back cyclist as well as the front, different types of suspension and a very early electric bike. A riverside camp near Cesis was our next stop.
Pennyfarthing with rope 'tyres'.
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Behind the wooden bike is a tandem that can be steered by the back cyclist. Saulkrasti Bicycle Museum.
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Entering the dungeon of Cesis Castle.
7 July
We arrived in Cesis to see the castle. We were given candle lanterns so we could go down to the dungeon and also navigate our way up the unlit stone staircase in the tower. So many OH&S issues would make this sort of sightseeing unthinkable at home.
8 July
We stopped to look at the mostly reconstructed red brick Turaida Castle and the surrounding park on our way to Riga, the capital.
We stopped to look at the mostly reconstructed red brick Turaida Castle and the surrounding park on our way to Riga, the capital.
Red brick Turaida Castle
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Someone's doodlings from the 13th century? See archaeologists report below.
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9 July
We spent a day cycling around Riga's parks, art nouveau district, old town and markets. The beautiful weather was a bonus. It wasn't quite the same experience for Deb and Barb as their locked bikes were stolen,
We spent a day cycling around Riga's parks, art nouveau district, old town and markets. The beautiful weather was a bonus. It wasn't quite the same experience for Deb and Barb as their locked bikes were stolen,
10 July
Our last stop in Latvia was Rundale Palace which was built in the 18th century for a duke. Like many buildings, it suffered damage during the Latvian War of Independence and WWII. The building has been restored and the very symmetrical gardens are being restored to the their original plan.
Our last stop in Latvia was Rundale Palace which was built in the 18th century for a duke. Like many buildings, it suffered damage during the Latvian War of Independence and WWII. The building has been restored and the very symmetrical gardens are being restored to the their original plan.
