We were both awake and showered before the alarm went off. We went to the same place for breakfast where i had the same but the croissants hadn’t arrived yet so Kaoru had the quiche. Back at our room we did our teeth, double checked we had everything, putthe key back in the key box and went across the road to wait for our 9.00 tour bus. There was a very light rain.

The bus was there. ..bus being a van that squeezes 8 passengers. We were 16 so filled2 cars.

Our first shift was about 2 hours driving. We got out and walked around the 6th largest city in Estonia. There were old castle ruins that we explored. After a good leg stretch it was back in the bus for another hour to lunch.

For lunch Kaoru had salmon and a sprite, while i had wild boar and a beer, and we shared an ice cheese cake.

5 minutes down the road we went to an old museum with war relics, including vehicles. Our driver briefed us a bit on the war of independence and on the history of the country. The museum was set in an old check point, as we were right on the Latvian border.

Back in the bus we had another long drive through the Latvian countryside and stoppedin the National park. We went for a walk down to the lake and then a short 1.5km walk around the old limestone cliffs. It was now really and warm.

Another 45 minutes or so took us to another town, called Cesis (?), which was famous for bombing it’s own fort so as not to lose it to Ivan the terrible. It was already 630 so we didn’t get to go inside but we found a toilet anyway (we had to pay €0.3 but once we did everybody else found it so we just left the door open between uses).

Back in the car for a bit longer, and we arrived at the point i was looking forward to -the bobsled park. This was a replica of the bobsled track used at the 1984 Olympics, built in 1986, so the Russians could train. Wecaught the lift to the top and were at the highest point in Latvia. We then walked down the bobsled track, slightly slower than people would be riding down.

At the bottom there was an old bobsled that we could sit in, so we all took turns with photos. Then it was back to our bus for the final 45km to Riga.

Once in Riga we said goodbye to everybody and walked to our accommodation. Kaoru had found a place very close to the drop off point which was also next door to an aussie backpackers. ..One place i will be staying away from! We checked in to our room and Kaoru did a load of washing while i found a place to eat. There were ear plugs on our bedside tables which was concerning.

It was less than a 10 minute walk and we passed plenty of suitable places but i had read a review on this place which looked good so we went there. It was a jazz craft beer hall. I ordered an IPA and got Kaoru a blackcurrant cider with Earl gray, which she enjoyed. I had some ribs for main.

After dinner we were both pretty tired so went to bed. It wasn’t loud so no need for theear plugs!