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Stargazing in Ječi, Boat Riding in Laidi, Stock Trading in Vilgāle

Yesterday we traveled to Ječi to move the lawn, grill a fish and use it as a camp base before visiting a pebbled beach near Nida close to the Latvian/Lithuanian.

Our new favorite shop - LIDL, fish is awesome and the rest is good too. We are lucky to have one LIDL store in Liepaja, about 25 km from our Ječi house. 

I love both Nida and Pape, really awesome beaches. Pāvilosta is good, Jūrkalne too. 

Guest House 'Odumiņi'

Guesthouse Odumiņi is located close to Varakļāni town in the historical region of Latgale, Latvia. We booked a one-night stay here at the start of August 2022, during our weekend trip to Latgale.

For a one-night stay here we paid about EUR 100, with the sauna included.

The vacation home comes with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fully equipped kitchen, and a patio with garden views.

Koknese Castle

Koknese Castle is a complex in Koknese, Latvia, dating from the 13th century. The castle was situated on a high bluff overlooking the Daugava river valley. In 1965 a hydroelectric dam was built downriver, creating a reservoir that partially submerged the castle and flooded the surrounding valley.

We visited Koknese castle during a weekend trip to the region of Latgale at the start of August 2022

More Laminate flooring, Tiles for the Bathroom + some electricity works

After the tile removal in the kitchen and hallway area, it was already agreed - I will re-install laminate there. Additionally, after hydro isolation works in the bathroom I decided I will tile again.

I was very scared before the new tile job and measured everything 10 times before applying tile glue. Also, I decided to go for 6mm spacers (instead of 3mm)

Quail Farm Rīta Putni / Olalā Koknese

Rīta Putni is located in one of the most picturesque places in Latvia - Koknese county Bilstini just a few minutes away from Perse and Daugava river, where an impressive view of Koknese castle ruins can be seen.

I first heard about this place, or more about its products - quail eggs, a few years ago back in Georgia, an acquaintance was involved in this business. At the start of August 2022, during our weekend trip to the Latgale region, passing near Koknese city we decided to locate the place and see it ourselves.

Church hill Daugavpils

Baznīckalns or Church hill in Daugavpils is said to be one of the main tourist attractions in the city. This was one of the rare times I visited Daugavpils and I must admit I didn't had any clue what should we see here and just Google for the top attractions and Church hill or Baznickalns was atop of the list.

Every traveler who wants to be acquainted with Daugavpils should definitely visit Church Hill which has gathered the churches of four different confessions.

Evening on the Vilgāle Lake

It was already past 8 PM, I was just finished tiling the bathroom at our Vilgāle apartment when my fiancee and kiddo arrived to pick me up. My best part gave me the drone and said - it's a beautiful evening to fly a drone.

I looked around and agreed. The Vilgāle lake was covered in mist, the Sun was setting. Beautiful. 

Vilgāle lake

Look at the beautiful rooftop on the bottom left.

Guesthouse Pirts Baudas

Guesthouse Pirts Baudas is located in Ilzenes parish, Aluksnes county. The property is 24.1 km from Alūksne, and guests benefit from complimentary WiFi and private parking available on site.

We booked this place during our day trip to Valka and the area. I thought this place will be much closer to Valka, but it turned out about a 2-hour drive with a distance of some 130km. Though the drive was spectacular with stops at places like Gaujiena, Trapene, Lizespasts.. city of Pskov in Russia seems to be closer there than Riga. Anyhow.

Velēna church

The Velēna Lutheran Church is at the crossing of the Smiltene-Gulbene-Lizums roads. I would call this as one of the most beautiful churches in Latvia.

It's said the first built church here was a wooden church with a turf roof. This is where the place got its name from – Velēna (Torf). Visitors can still enjoy one of the most beautiful organs in Latvia, built in 1898 in W. Sauer Company, they are considered as one of the best preserved organs in Latvia.

One Day in Micini

Micini has a very special place in my heart - I spent a brief time, about two years here, back in the 90-ties, living with my grandmother. Back in the days - there was some life here - a farm with more than 100 cows, few families, and even a public bus twice a week connecting to Valka.

My relatives from gradmother's side have been living here for a few centuries (at least) - and the scenery was much different here before WW2, when here lived my great grandfather with my great grandmother and their family.