Melo M Concert

This is a Latvian group that held a concert in Jurmala on Sunday. If anyone wants to listen to their CD's we have them.

Keeping the speed down

Latvia has been putting up these billboards trying to get people to slow down when driving. This is a Latvian license plate on a billboard with bodies on it rather than the normal bugs. People are still driving fast.

Snow comes to Latvia

We finally got our first snow.

Prison Life

Here are pictures of one of the prisons in Latvia.

Daugavpils, Latvia

Here is one of the churches located in Daugavpils. Daugavpils is located in the southern part of Latvia and is very russian.

Garsene castle

Here is the castle at Garsene and the carriage house beside it. This is a reality new castle built in the late 1800's.

Golf Anyone?

Here is the famous St. Andrews golf course. There are 99 holes. We took 6 high school kids around the UK visiting universities. We visited St. Andrews, Oxford, King's College, London School of Economics, University of South Hampton, University of Manchester, and Portsmouth University.

Seville Cathedral

This is the biggest church I have ever seen. The main alter was pure gold.

Bull fighting ring

In Seville bull fighting is important. Here is a picture of the outside of the stadium.

Seville, Spain

We had a chance to go to Seville, Spain. It is a very nice city but very hot.

Welcome to Latvia

Cesis Dungeon

Since our last visit to Cesis Castle they have opened up the dungeon.

Lenin

During the Soviet occupation most towns had a statue of Lenin placed in their town square. We found this one in Cesis, Latvia. It wasn't destroyed, as most were, since the sculptor was a famous Latvian.

Curonian Spit National Park, Lithuania

We went to Lithuania and stayed at this place called the Curonian Spit. It is an area where the wind has created large sand dunes. It is a place to see if you are ever in Lithuania.

Mushroom Season

Here are some of the local mushrooms. I am not sure if they are poisonous but Rhonda picked them and now she is making a nice soup for me. She never cooks so I wonder why she decided to cook now???

Soviet Style Housing

These are the housing units the Soviets built all across eastern Europe. Not very attractive. It appears that the architecture of the Soviet era is not based on creativity.

Blue Cow Continued

Libava fortress

Built in the beginning of the 20th century, a Libava fortress was one of the most expensive and ambitious projects of the army of Russian Empire on the Baltic sea. The massive concrete fortifications with eight cannon batteries were supposed to surround the city and protect its population from German attacks. Its secret underground passages became the most famous Liepāja's urban legend. As you can see it all fell into the Baltic Sea.

ISL Cares

Over the weekend the International School of Latvia had a run/walk to benefit a local cancer hospital. We raised over 2000 Lats or about $4,000. Rhonda is here with the Polish dog and the new US Ambassador is getting her medal after she completed the 5 K run/walk.

Latvian Highway Museum

In our travels around Latvia we came across this museum. Here is the history of the mile post sign in Latvia.

Russian Orthodox Church

Here is picture of one of the many Orthodox Churches in Latvia. When we went there Larry was asked to leave since he had shorts on and the sign outside said no beach ware allowed.

Latvian Blue Cow

In Latvian they have what are known as BLUE cows. For some reason the shade of these cows are blue"ish". Some say they eat too many blueberries, other say they are spray painted by the locals for tourist, and others wonder if they give blue milk.

Yard Art

Legend has it that during a full moon they come to life.

Latvian Waterfall

Here is the longest waterfall in Europe. It is located in Kuldiga, Latvia. You can walk across it and swim beneath it.