With all the running around we did, sightseeing was mainly left to after midnight, when we checked out the casino at the Hotel Latvija a couple of times. We did manage to get out before dark only twice—now, remember, "dark" is around 11:00pm! One night we did make it into Vecriga (Old Riga) for dinner at Alus Seta ("Beer Garden"), home to some of the best sasliks (shish kebob) in Riga, pelekie zirni (gray peas), and many more taste treats, all prepared fresh on their indoor grill.
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Not quite sure what happened here. Perhaps Anda told a joke and Silvija's dad (her uncle Henry) is still trying to figure out the punch line? Sometimes we visiting Latvians find the local jargon a bit puzzling. Of course, they have an equally hard time understanding "noparkot masinu garaza"—Latvianizing "to park a car in the garage" (as opposed to the more proper "novietot automasinu autostavieta")!
That's Silvija's "What did you say, dad??" look. Either that, or she caught sight of more mass quantities fine food and beer making its way to the table!
Ah, here's our snaggle-toothed dinner companion. He looks fearsome, but it was just his lust for our baby back ribs which smelled and tasted oh, oh so good! He did have frighteningly long teeth though!
- June 1999"Honeymoon in Latvia!"—devoted to friends and family.
- Our home base was Zaubes ielain an apartment Silvija's parents had rented on several occasions
- Our day trip to Koknesewhere Silvija's dad grew up and reclaimed land
- Without a visit to MordangaPeters' visits to Latvia are never complete
- We celebrated Kristine's birthday at Ruses ielawhere there was fun for everyone!
- Old family friends in Kandava and business in Kulidgamade for another pleasurable day trip
- A visit to Vecakito drop in on Peters' side of our newly doubled extended family
- Rigano better place for good food and good friends!
- We visit Peters' mom's cousin in Alsviki and sister in Bolderajathere's no more pleasurable chore than getting to see all the relatives!
- It's a wrapall too soon we head for home