Winter Blues

Its interesting how this year 2020 keeps changing by the minute.

Working from home keeps me busy but my Vitamin D Level are getting lower by the day.

After my yearly check up, my private doctor told me that I need to be more outside in the fresh air.

Like I told you last time, the weather is getting chillier by the day but my wife keeps pushing me out on weekends.

Damn it was a cold Saturday, but we took the train to Sigulda and booked ourselves into a cheap Air BnB. The whole weekend it was rainy and cold but hey guess what I keep surviving.

This time we decided to visit

Turaida Castle - Sigulda

Turaida Castle dominates the Museum Reserve and is visually its most impressive element. When seen from the air, or the opposite bank of the river Gauja in Sigulda, Turaida castle can be seen rising above the treeline.

Construction of the castle was started in 1214 upon directions given by Albert, Archbishop of Riga to his Livonian Brothers of the Sword (soon to merge with the Teutonic Order) at the place where the wooden castle of Liv had previously stood. A castellum type fortress was built and named Fredeland, which translates as 'Land of Peace,' but became better known locally by the Livonian name of 'Turaida,' which has survived until the present day.

The castle was constructed largely in the classic red-brick construction of the Baltic crusading orders. Improving the castle's defensive system continued in later centuries, and in the 14th century, the tower shaped southern section was built; at the beginning of the 15th century, when firearms were invented, the semi rounded western tower was built. Domestic buildings and living accommodation were also erected in the inner yard of the castle.

Minor reconstruction work was carried out in 17th century although the castle started to lose its strategic importance.

By the beginning of the 20th century, only separate fragments of the defensive wall and some buildings – the main tower, semi-rounded tower and the western section, were left.

Exhibitions about the history of the brick castle and the Gauja Livs are available in the restored buildings. From the viewing place of the main tower it is possible to see the unique landscape of the picturesque Gauja valley and the territory of the Turaida Museum Reserve.

Well it was worth the visit and we had much fun.

We also went to visit the nearby Gutman's Cave

Gutman's Cave is the widest and highest cave in the Baltic countries, located on the Gauja River in the National Park of Sigulda, Latvia.

It started forming more than 10 000 years ago when meltwater eroded the sandstone rock after the Ice Age. It is the oldest tourist attraction in Latvia.

ESI Cafe - Sigulda

When it was all done we decided to chill at ESI Cafe to catch our train ride back to Riga from Sigulda.

I was impressed by the space and service they offered, it was fast and the waitresses all had a smile on their faces all the time.

It started raining again but we felt warm at ESI, a place I would visit anytime again.

Thank you to the Waitresses who served us.

It was a good Saturday & Sunday and we got home safe.

Well I will keep updating you on Winter coming, ONE LOVE.

ESI CAFE

Pils iela 4b, Sigulda, LV-2150, Latvija (63.28 km) 2150 Sigulda, Latvia Tel: +371 20 207 215