Senleja Hotel Sigulda

... one of those can be climbed to the onservation deck (though arcaic in form!) - you do have to climb with the assistance of candle-light lanterns as the stairs are not lit and there is no natural lighting (no widows).
There is a museum of the history and restoration of the site - which is visually appealing - however none of it has been translated in english.

... practically an entrance gate to one of the best things to see in entire Latvia, The Gauja National Park, the same one I wouldn't go to the day before from Cēsis, but had rather left for today. The largest nature reserve and oldest national park in Latvia, obviously named after the Gauja river, it stretches all the way between Sigulda and Cēsis, allegedly containing some hundred kilometres of marked hiking trails. I never expected to explore it in its entirety, but I ...

... We also wanted to check out a "Vertical Wind Tunnel" set up they had near the park. It's essentially a 3 storey high cylinder with a gigantic fan pointing upwards, which spins so fast you can dive over the top of it and 'skydive' without falling. It looked awesome. So, dressed in an oversized webbed parachute suit, we had a crack. What a buzz!! For those with broadband (or those accessing this site at work (?????) - you should ...

Утром мы собра 83;и все вещи и отпра 74;ились к Андре 02; на дачу в Саулк 88;асти - чудес 85;ый г ...

... After 10 minutes of muddy roads and around a few corners we came to a dead-end which happened to be the right location of the B&B. At this point, seeing the drab house we were thinking coming to Sigulda may not have been the best idea. We were in the middle of nowhere, cold, and a little unsure of our bed for the night. I made my way around the side of the house to a door and rang the bell, to be greeted shortly after by an old lady. I ...

... attraction. I visited three of them yesterday. First on my hike, I came to Krimulda Castle, beloning to the Archbishop. I don't know much about its history, and all that's really left is just a wall and a bit of fortification, but it broke up the 8 km between my hostel and Turaida Castle rather nicely. Originally founded in 1214, Turaida Castle was blown up in the 1700s when lightening struck its gunpowder store, but has been greatly restored in ...

... Fue un paseillo facil, unos 10 kms... El parque es una maravilla. Hay montones de puentecillos de madera por todos lados, monumentos, ruinas, riachuelos, todo muy verde y con millones de mosquitos. Jo, nos han comido vivos. En fin, que vas a hacer, te resignas y sigues (y te ries de Andy dandose manotazos todo el camino, que el pobre no esta acostumbrado a las picaduras)

... Belgium and Germany, but it was still vaguely interesting when you combine it with the history of the region. It was here that I made my first snow angel. The lens on my camera broke soon after that - I have to get the ******* fixed soon or I will have no more photos! I can't work out why the lens broke, but I might have damaged it when I fell over down the hill - god bless warranties and insurance! Following the castle we made our way home to Riga.

... for some tea at a local tea house next to his job place and discuss again about everything and future and plans and life. I really like James and I hope all the best for him. Its great to see him every time and I consider him as a true friend. Later we left on our side and went back to Chris and Gerard. Finally we spent most of the time with Gerard and the swiss guests discussing all the evening until the night. --------------- August 28 We woke ...

... came from across Europe including the UK. Most people seemed to have gone straight to the castle. I was pointed in the right direction after being given my hard hat and little lantern, which had a lit candle in. I needed these as inside the castle there were stairs going up the tower with no lights. There wasn't much light from the candle but my eyes soon adjusted. It made it a lot of fun. The rooms are all open with large areas missing but bars across ...