Blog Archive: July 2022
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.
My mother, a Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church pastor Sarmite Fišere served here back in the 1980-ties and again briefly at the end of 1990-ties.
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.
A lot has changed ever since, mostly all the older generations have passed away, and what is left - is just ruins and beautiful scenery. In today's Piece of Life series - one day…
Cafe Papes Vēji
Cafe Papes Vēji is a summer cafe located next to the Pape channel in Western Latvia near the Pape Lighthouse.
This place serves traditional Latvian cuisine, and cold beer and some can buy smoked fish (apparently in the season)
I have been fond of this area for a few years already and first discovered this cafe about a year ago, now in Summer 2022 we made a stop here, had a hearty dinner, and bought some smoked fish. Awesome
Seems there is also a museum on site available. During our visit here, many tourists from Lithuania, Germany and of course Latvia were present.
Sup boards are gaining the momentum in Latvia and are present almost everywhere.
Seems this is the one and only…
Listing Vilgāle apartment for sale
After some thinking, I decided to list for sale our Vilgāle apartment.
I bought this apartment about two years ago in an online auction, paying about EUR 4,000. During the past two years, we have done some serious renovation with a total investment being closer to EUR 18,000.
Today I bought my first flat on an online auction site
I decided to list it for EUR 25,000 on local ss.lv website, here is the advert:
The owner is selling a renovated apartment in Vilgale - double glazed windows, Estrich warm floor tile/laminate covering. Installed pellet central heating, unfinished bathroom / sauna construction. Water on meters. Registered in the land register.
Low payments -…
Summer Cafe Kazbārs in Kazdanga
Summer café-bar “Kazbārs” is located next to the watermill in the heart of the scenic park of Kazdanga.
This place serves freshly ground coffee, Italian dessert affogato, refreshing soft ice cream (including vegan options), cold live beer, and vegan soups.
Place is run by energetic couple from Riga, if you will be happy enough you could catch up with host Ernests and enjoy the conversation about the running restaurant, flying planes, local area and more
Top 3 Things to do in Kazdanga, Latvia
Kazbārs offers to rent sup boards (around EUR 5/h in 2022), as the lake is located across the street, this seems quite attractive.
Sup boards are getting the momentum in Latvia. Smart…
How to Sell a Car in Riga / Latvia
We bought a used Mercedes Benz ML 400 Diesel car in Riga a few months ago. We hoped the car would suit us for the years to come, but in the end, the vehicle was faulty even before we bought it. So the car died (or almost died) - with the problem being - a timing belt, which needed to be replaced.
I asked to a few handymen how much it could cost, and understood that I'm not willing to take the extra burden on this already old car, so we decided to list it on the local ss.com website. After talking with several handymen I decided to list it for EUR 1,800 just to test the waters.
In my advert, I was honest and said, that the car needs its timing belt to be replaced while all the rest seems…
Cafe Pāvilostas Enkurs
Cafe Pāvilostas Enkurs is located on Dzinstaru street 69 in Latvian Summer Capital Pavilosta.
they serve fish and chips, pizza, and traditional Latvian cold soup here.
One of the best fish and chips I've tried in Latvia
Seems like a popular place in Pāvilosta, many tourists
Give it a try once in Pavilosta