After today “training” 4300m in Nepal seem quite easy. Today in Tukums surrounding we learned basic thing for climbing snowy hills: what to do if it happened to fall and start sliding down the hill, how to walk with crampons.
Well… I feel broken. Today all day it was I think -10 degrees Celsius. After all day spent in snow I understood what else I need: clothing – really good socks and gaiter, on hill – NOT TO FALL so I don’t have to use what we practiced today. :)
svētdiena, 2009. gada 20. decembris
piektdiena, 2009. gada 23. oktobris
Popiela (popstreet) after concert in Salaspils
When we got to know that we will have to make popiela performance, I couldn’t remember when was the last time I saw something like that (Popiela – in phonogram is played song and participants just imitate or copy original player and singer)
Ideas, ideas, one training, some changes in music and ready. Our performance consisted of 3 parts:
- Nora Bumbure – Es gribu dejot bugi (original Baccara "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie"). Speed up song with singing Nora and dancig Teiksma girls
- Michael Jackson - Billie Jean. Teiksma boys and solo of our leader Jānis Ērglis
- Latvian folk song – Caur sidraba birzi gāju. Teiksma girls performance with Gints solo
P.S. Caur sidraba birzi gāju – Through silver grove I went. This dance in original is our leaders choreography for girls and symbolizes innocence, purity, fairness of girl.
I liked that.
Ideas, ideas, one training, some changes in music and ready. Our performance consisted of 3 parts:
- Nora Bumbure – Es gribu dejot bugi (original Baccara "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie"). Speed up song with singing Nora and dancig Teiksma girls
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I liked that.
trešdiena, 2009. gada 21. oktobris
Teiksma photo session for the calendar 2010
Not sure, but seems idea came from Ziemlis – make calendar of folk dance ensembles. It was decided that in calendar will be included ensembles that in spring took part in concert Deja mazajai sirsniņai (Dance for small heart) – Daiļrade, Dancis, Līgo, Rotaļa, Teiksma, Vektors. Anyway – I was there and did what I had to do. Now waiting for the result – calendar 2010.
Each of us in day to day life do our own things – work, study, care abo0ut family etc. But in the evenings we meet in trainings and on holidays in concerts. In photo session we show something that we could all do in day to day life. We got sailing and agriculture themes.
For the sailing president of Teiksma and first lady :) organized shopt where to make the photo session. I suppose it was second part of august, cold evenings were coming closer, but we patiently posed to our photographer Ziemelis. We haven’t seen the pics, but there are some shots taken by other picture taking thing :)
For the agriculture theme needed place and “conditions” also were organized by president of Teiksma – house of his parents and potato field. Of course we also gave our hand in digging up potatoes. We finished some furrows and the photo session could start. I haven’t seen these pics, but again were taken some pics by other photographer with other picture taking thing :)
Some photos will be added later
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For the sailing president of Teiksma and first lady :) organized shopt where to make the photo session. I suppose it was second part of august, cold evenings were coming closer, but we patiently posed to our photographer Ziemelis. We haven’t seen the pics, but there are some shots taken by other picture taking thing :)
For the agriculture theme needed place and “conditions” also were organized by president of Teiksma – house of his parents and potato field. Of course we also gave our hand in digging up potatoes. We finished some furrows and the photo session could start. I haven’t seen these pics, but again were taken some pics by other photographer with other picture taking thing :)
Some photos will be added later
otrdiena, 2009. gada 11. augusts
River Abava
Route: Plosti-> Bridge Veģi (~19km)
We…: I, Wilx, Amanda, Tīna, Aija, Ziema
Weather was just perfect for going on the river – not cold, not hot. Sun didn’t “bother “ us with its presence, clouds didn’t think about disappearing none of days, but anyway it was worm. The only one unpleasant thing – on Saturday time to time blew quite strong headwind, so I can’t say that we could have rest – we had to row.
This trip started with few obstacles – there was supposed to be one more traveler, there was problem with finding car for getting to start point, owner of the house near the river at start point. We usually try to find house where leave car in start and finish points while going on river. Till now we were lucky, almost always men of the house were encouraging and kindly let us leave our car near the house or even in the yard. This time the man was nasty. Greeted impolitely: “This is becoming as habit… no you could not…”. He kind of didn’t chase away, but expected me to turn around and go away. But I said that we are not coming with our hands empty, I gave him our refreshments and gifts and parked my car in place he pointed.
I was kind of disappointed in river Abava. Flow almost none, sights also nothing special (but that didn’t bother me a lot), in headwind boat was floating back, people on river were a lot more than I expected (lot of canoe drew ahead). On the banks of river were lot of camping places, what also shows that this river is popular among the river travelers.
But all in all everything was fine and river tip turned really good. After first day rowing and funny quarrel, we came to Rapid of Abava. Nice. We shuffled our boats, went a little bit more down the river and found camping place (camping paces before Rabid of Abava are more than after).
Second day we had to go by the river just some 5km. Those we meritoriously drifted till finish point. Paddles were used only time to time not to let boats slide in banks. On the way we stopped at Sventes mill funicular (right after the camping place).
We…: I, Wilx, Amanda, Tīna, Aija, Ziema
Weather was just perfect for going on the river – not cold, not hot. Sun didn’t “bother “ us with its presence, clouds didn’t think about disappearing none of days, but anyway it was worm. The only one unpleasant thing – on Saturday time to time blew quite strong headwind, so I can’t say that we could have rest – we had to row.
This trip started with few obstacles – there was supposed to be one more traveler, there was problem with finding car for getting to start point, owner of the house near the river at start point. We usually try to find house where leave car in start and finish points while going on river. Till now we were lucky, almost always men of the house were encouraging and kindly let us leave our car near the house or even in the yard. This time the man was nasty. Greeted impolitely: “This is becoming as habit… no you could not…”. He kind of didn’t chase away, but expected me to turn around and go away. But I said that we are not coming with our hands empty, I gave him our refreshments and gifts and parked my car in place he pointed.
I was kind of disappointed in river Abava. Flow almost none, sights also nothing special (but that didn’t bother me a lot), in headwind boat was floating back, people on river were a lot more than I expected (lot of canoe drew ahead). On the banks of river were lot of camping places, what also shows that this river is popular among the river travelers.
But all in all everything was fine and river tip turned really good. After first day rowing and funny quarrel, we came to Rapid of Abava. Nice. We shuffled our boats, went a little bit more down the river and found camping place (camping paces before Rabid of Abava are more than after).
Second day we had to go by the river just some 5km. Those we meritoriously drifted till finish point. Paddles were used only time to time not to let boats slide in banks. On the way we stopped at Sventes mill funicular (right after the camping place).
ceturtdiena, 2009. gada 30. jūlijs
Klaipeda, Europeade 2009
I think I have to start this way… that was in the year of 2004 :)
I knew, that there will be Europeade in Riga in summer of 2004 and I really wanted to be in all of that. I volunteered to be guide to one of participant groups. I submitted application and I got what I wanted. I was guide for Czech group Kohutek from Moravia region. In three words – it was fun. And all that finished with my travel to Czech with Kohutek.
This year Euroeade was in Klaipeda, Lithuania, which is just some 250km from Jelgava. Message from Czechs, short moment of thinking and last Saturday and Sunday I spent in Klaipeda. Really great weekend. I saw some concerts, parade of participants, evening concerts for participants and closing concerts on Sunday. And of course party in school with Czechs and their songs.
I knew, that there will be Europeade in Riga in summer of 2004 and I really wanted to be in all of that. I volunteered to be guide to one of participant groups. I submitted application and I got what I wanted. I was guide for Czech group Kohutek from Moravia region. In three words – it was fun. And all that finished with my travel to Czech with Kohutek.
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| Czechs |
otrdiena, 2009. gada 21. jūlijs
River Salaca
Route: Mazsalaca –> Bridge in Vīķi = 32km
We…: I, Wilx, Amanda, JankS, Modris, Dāvis
July 11th and 12th we spent going on Salaca. Weather – it always can be worth, and it always can be better. So… it was fine :) - well… relatively.
Saturday morning already at 9PM we were in Mazsalaca at the river. After preparing works while it was raining we started to go by the river with inflatable boats. So we went in rain approximately 1 hour or less. Later weather was quite nice. Sun was hiding behind the clouds, but it wasn’t cold at all. About 6AM it started to rain again. This rain was looooong ;) while raining we pitch the tents, made fire, cooked dinner, had dinner, drank beer, talked :). Everything as usual + rain.
River itself – very nice. I liked. Flow was good enough for being lazy and not rowing. I am sure that at least half of boating we just floated, talked about rabbit caves and rabbits that live there, moose (or that was deer?) and kangaroo ;)))
Sightseeing - all object were in first day – skaņais mount, caves, cliffs. Wilx was boating here once and showed us Xcaves. It was worth see that. Where are Xcaves? Try to find, somewhere there at the bank of Salaca. These caves are not advertised and can be found only by those who want to find them. Reason – not to spoil them and demolish.
Second day were no caves, no cliffs. Just trees, bushes, birds, silence and 4 inflatable boats with 6 boaters.
P.S. Caves and cliffs in Latvia are not big (don’t compare with Slovenia) ;)
Photo: Saniata; Wilx
We…: I, Wilx, Amanda, JankS, Modris, Dāvis
July 11th and 12th we spent going on Salaca. Weather – it always can be worth, and it always can be better. So… it was fine :) - well… relatively.
Saturday morning already at 9PM we were in Mazsalaca at the river. After preparing works while it was raining we started to go by the river with inflatable boats. So we went in rain approximately 1 hour or less. Later weather was quite nice. Sun was hiding behind the clouds, but it wasn’t cold at all. About 6AM it started to rain again. This rain was looooong ;) while raining we pitch the tents, made fire, cooked dinner, had dinner, drank beer, talked :). Everything as usual + rain.
River itself – very nice. I liked. Flow was good enough for being lazy and not rowing. I am sure that at least half of boating we just floated, talked about rabbit caves and rabbits that live there, moose (or that was deer?) and kangaroo ;)))
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| Cliffs of Salaca | ||
Sightseeing - all object were in first day – skaņais mount, caves, cliffs. Wilx was boating here once and showed us Xcaves. It was worth see that. Where are Xcaves? Try to find, somewhere there at the bank of Salaca. These caves are not advertised and can be found only by those who want to find them. Reason – not to spoil them and demolish.
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| Thing drying :) | Having rest | Bridge over Salaca |
Second day were no caves, no cliffs. Just trees, bushes, birds, silence and 4 inflatable boats with 6 boaters.
P.S. Caves and cliffs in Latvia are not big (don’t compare with Slovenia) ;)
Photo: Saniata; Wilx
otrdiena, 2009. gada 7. jūlijs
June = concert
June turned to one big concert marathon with final concert on July 2nd.
7.06 – Festival of Riga dancers at Arena Riga “Vedam danci šovakar”
I liked this concert a lot. It was easy to dance and with big pleasure. If there is wish to see some pics then: EasyGet; Foto ziņu aģentūra (Foto news agency)
Also this concert was showed on TV, but big admonishments to LV TV – they cot out lot of dances.
13.06 – anniversary concerts of Jumpraviņa in Jumprava
Weather let’s say, wasn’t the best – it was raining. But when we had to dance, rain stopped, but the puddles… - those were big :) Party - :D:D:D There was no rain, and musicians taught hedgehog to talk (those who know will understand)
19.06 – Grand concert of Teiksma
There was such concert. We danced. Bet there was no real excitement to dance, it showed up only on second part of concert to performance “No tevis kaut kur tālumā” (Somewhere far away from you)
Pics you can see in www.azarts.lv. And just some also here
02.07 – dance performance “No sirsniņas sirsniņai” (From heart to heart) in Valmiera
That was kind of finish of the dance season. We came, we had training, we danced and went home. No party… but we expected that there will be ball and music. But alas! Nothing! And we weren’t the only one ensemble who came long way to Valmiera.
Now – no trainings at all.
7.06 – Festival of Riga dancers at Arena Riga “Vedam danci šovakar”
I liked this concert a lot. It was easy to dance and with big pleasure. If there is wish to see some pics then: EasyGet; Foto ziņu aģentūra (Foto news agency)
Also this concert was showed on TV, but big admonishments to LV TV – they cot out lot of dances.
13.06 – anniversary concerts of Jumpraviņa in Jumprava
Weather let’s say, wasn’t the best – it was raining. But when we had to dance, rain stopped, but the puddles… - those were big :) Party - :D:D:D There was no rain, and musicians taught hedgehog to talk (those who know will understand)
19.06 – Grand concert of Teiksma
There was such concert. We danced. Bet there was no real excitement to dance, it showed up only on second part of concert to performance “No tevis kaut kur tālumā” (Somewhere far away from you)
Pics you can see in www.azarts.lv. And just some also here
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| Gatves dance | Meitu māte |
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| dance suite "Kas to Rīgu dimdināja" | Dance performance "No tevis kaut kur tālumā" |
02.07 – dance performance “No sirsniņas sirsniņai” (From heart to heart) in Valmiera
That was kind of finish of the dance season. We came, we had training, we danced and went home. No party… but we expected that there will be ball and music. But alas! Nothing! And we weren’t the only one ensemble who came long way to Valmiera.
Now – no trainings at all.
otrdiena, 2009. gada 30. jūnijs
5 days, 3 rivers, 1 lake and sea
This year on midsummer we had 5 holidays and we used them really useful – having rest and boating. Our planned route was - river Engure (beginning a little bit before Ventspils road bridge). Puzes lake, river Rinda, river Irbe and a little bit sea. “Transport” – inflatable boats.
All route we made in 4 days, 5th day we slept little bit more, went with our boats to sea.
Rowing was quite hard as all the time blew headwind. Those days mainly wind was from North or North West. And distance also was not the smallest – almost 83km.
We...
I, Aldis, Modris, Dāvis and almost last minute joined Ivo and Gunita.
River Engure (16.7 km)
Small, snaky river with fallen down trees in some places, one “bring-over” and piece of glass cut boat. Pigs those people who throw out trash :(. River bank in reeds, very muddy, but anyway – very beautiful. We finished Engure in first day.
Puzes lake (4km)
Also Puzes lake we finished first day. While we were on back seemed that wind is quite calm and suitable for us – from side. But the same moment we started rowing and got in lake… wind was from front/ side and strong and so we had to row 4km. Thanks to Modris and Davis, who helped me. They tied my Nyrok to their Bubo and we rowed all together. So we got to other side in 2.5hours. So that day after long rowing was left just to making fire, cooking dinner, pitching the tent, eating and going to bed.
River Rinda (28.9 km)
First morning at river Rinda started with swan family visit. And then Every morning things – waking up, Modris and Davis made fire and boiling water for breakfast, making sandwiches, eating breakfast, packing and going our way in river.
Rinda when flows out from Puzes lake is almost like lake – expanse and calmness. Later meadows, reed fields, smelling water mints, meanders, a little bit “cabbage fields” (lot of water grass that makes the boat to slide slower), later (next day) bigger “cabbage fields”, meadow where far away we could see trees, cows that comes to river to drink water, headwind and at Rinda village started bigger stream, where we could have rest and not row.
River Irbe (33.2 km)
Of course bigger than Rinda un mouth of Rinda could not be unnoticed. Stream in the beginning was let’s say nice. We could even forget about rowing.
On the bank of Irbe we went to see Irbene radiotelescope. Impressive.
Furtherer started very beautiful sand banks, white sand, mosquitoes ;)
Last day rowing was more having rest. Although stream was not big and blew headwind, rowing was quite easy. Last km before sea wasn’t rest at all – sea wind and waves gave their input. But what sights were there… beautiful, marvelous. Unfortunately I didn’t have chance to take pics of all that as my photo camera said – enough, I will broke now :(
Jūra
Last day we rowed last meters to sea from camping place and spend some time to boat in sea waves. That was super. Wind was stronger and waves bigger than day before. I didn’t manage to get dry out of sea.
Photo by: Saniata; Wilx (www.azarts.lv)
All route we made in 4 days, 5th day we slept little bit more, went with our boats to sea.
Rowing was quite hard as all the time blew headwind. Those days mainly wind was from North or North West. And distance also was not the smallest – almost 83km.
We...
I, Aldis, Modris, Dāvis and almost last minute joined Ivo and Gunita.
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River Engure (16.7 km)
Small, snaky river with fallen down trees in some places, one “bring-over” and piece of glass cut boat. Pigs those people who throw out trash :(. River bank in reeds, very muddy, but anyway – very beautiful. We finished Engure in first day.
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| Reed on bank | patch |
Puzes lake (4km)
Also Puzes lake we finished first day. While we were on back seemed that wind is quite calm and suitable for us – from side. But the same moment we started rowing and got in lake… wind was from front/ side and strong and so we had to row 4km. Thanks to Modris and Davis, who helped me. They tied my Nyrok to their Bubo and we rowed all together. So we got to other side in 2.5hours. So that day after long rowing was left just to making fire, cooking dinner, pitching the tent, eating and going to bed.
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| ready to fight with wind on lake | morning guests |
River Rinda (28.9 km)
First morning at river Rinda started with swan family visit. And then Every morning things – waking up, Modris and Davis made fire and boiling water for breakfast, making sandwiches, eating breakfast, packing and going our way in river.
Rinda when flows out from Puzes lake is almost like lake – expanse and calmness. Later meadows, reed fields, smelling water mints, meanders, a little bit “cabbage fields” (lot of water grass that makes the boat to slide slower), later (next day) bigger “cabbage fields”, meadow where far away we could see trees, cows that comes to river to drink water, headwind and at Rinda village started bigger stream, where we could have rest and not row.
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| making breakfast | day on river Rinda |
River Irbe (33.2 km)
Of course bigger than Rinda un mouth of Rinda could not be unnoticed. Stream in the beginning was let’s say nice. We could even forget about rowing.
On the bank of Irbe we went to see Irbene radiotelescope. Impressive.
Furtherer started very beautiful sand banks, white sand, mosquitoes ;)
Last day rowing was more having rest. Although stream was not big and blew headwind, rowing was quite easy. Last km before sea wasn’t rest at all – sea wind and waves gave their input. But what sights were there… beautiful, marvelous. Unfortunately I didn’t have chance to take pics of all that as my photo camera said – enough, I will broke now :(
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| spectator | Irbene radiotelescope | Irbe bank |
Jūra
Last day we rowed last meters to sea from camping place and spend some time to boat in sea waves. That was super. Wind was stronger and waves bigger than day before. I didn’t manage to get dry out of sea.
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| Irbes mouth | me and my ride |
Photo by: Saniata; Wilx (www.azarts.lv)
sestdiena, 2009. gada 27. jūnijs
Boating in spring II
April 13th – again river Amata
My new Nyrok second trip – successful. Water in river was more than on April 5th, water stream good and distance form Melturu bridge to Līgatne bridge we went faster than previous time (some 4 hours with all pauses).
In finish place right before leaving we sow one good boat turn ower – that company seemed rally “warm” and possible they didn’t understand any more what they were doing :D
My new Nyrok second trip – successful. Water in river was more than on April 5th, water stream good and distance form Melturu bridge to Līgatne bridge we went faster than previous time (some 4 hours with all pauses).
In finish place right before leaving we sow one good boat turn ower – that company seemed rally “warm” and possible they didn’t understand any more what they were doing :D
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| pic from www.azarts.lv |
Boating in spring
After I think 2 year break, this spring I was boating again. I will use word boating as this I think is closer to real situation. Some may say it is rafting, but… it is not completely so, but maybe sometimes could be.
April 5th - River Amata
I never liked to wake up early. Even thought that this is because of river does not make the antipathy less. But at the moment when I start to get ready for boating – dress , inflate the boat. But the feeling when boat is brought to river un I sit in it… super. Feeling is great. So was this time… the same moment I got into boat, I understood that I want my own inflatable boat, to row myself and if (un)lucky fall into water.
This trip turned out to be quite interesting. Shortly after start at the hydropower station Modris got hole in his boat… and in the water pants and neoprene and also knee got kick.
Although it didn’t seem that water is rapid, one of Hungarian tourists going on kayak lost his paddle and was transshipped to Janis boat.
April 10th – River Veseta
First “raft” for my new boat Nyrok. It was tested the best way ;) – 2 times I swam: first water held my Nyrok and it turned up side down. Second time I wanted to hold at the tree branch while others get by me :D:D:D Branch was so smart (or I so stupid) ;) that got me off the boat.
April 5th - River Amata
I never liked to wake up early. Even thought that this is because of river does not make the antipathy less. But at the moment when I start to get ready for boating – dress , inflate the boat. But the feeling when boat is brought to river un I sit in it… super. Feeling is great. So was this time… the same moment I got into boat, I understood that I want my own inflatable boat, to row myself and if (un)lucky fall into water.
This trip turned out to be quite interesting. Shortly after start at the hydropower station Modris got hole in his boat… and in the water pants and neoprene and also knee got kick.
Although it didn’t seem that water is rapid, one of Hungarian tourists going on kayak lost his paddle and was transshipped to Janis boat.
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First “raft” for my new boat Nyrok. It was tested the best way ;) – 2 times I swam: first water held my Nyrok and it turned up side down. Second time I wanted to hold at the tree branch while others get by me :D:D:D Branch was so smart (or I so stupid) ;) that got me off the boat.
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| <- pic from www.azarts.lv | |
otrdiena, 2009. gada 2. jūnijs
Canary islands
Beginning – it was offered to me, I agreed. I agreed as I haven’t been there and haven’t got around with that. I joined journey to Canary islands to yacht there and see some of islands. All that we planned wasn’t realized (we didn’t manage to go to La Palma), but anyway it was interesting.
Yacht
Already going there I knew that I can not escape of feeding fishes. And it was so. Now I remember that with smile – feeding fishes in duet, going to WC (I really had to summon my strength to get off the deck), 17 hour sleeping on deck when waves in ocean are high and water comes over and in result got huge, nice bruise which seeing I got even scared :)
La Gomera
There is no bad weather, there is no appropriate clothes. Although I can not complaint on clothes I had, weather was bad. At coast (see level) sun was behind the clouds. Going up in hills – fog and rain. And all the time wind, wind, wind… nothing from expected warm holidays. Island itself (although it didn’t host us hospitable and we didn‘t want to return there) is small and very beautiful.
El Hierro
Fantastic island. When America was not discovered, this was end of the world. There was nothing beyond it. And feeling really is that this is world’s end. There are almost no tourists, beaches are empty (just some hippies) and again wind, wind, wind. Here the sun showed up, but in the evenings – fog, clouds.
This island is the most beautiful of all visited. May be this impression is because one day we spent only for walk. Walking we felt what is lava (some places black and looks like cows pooh or artwork, some places filed with strewed irregulars stones), cliffs and banana plantation in green-houses. That all in morning walk.
Bout midday we started to climb the Malpaso peak (1501m) – in the beginning we almost run out of water, later in stone fences and paths we found water tap. That gave us strength to finish what we wanted. Nature there is fantastic. From lava fields in coast, cactus fields, bushes and gigantic dandelions in about 800m height, to fairy pine forest with soft needle carpet, beautiful and aromatic bushes un thick fog closer to peak. Fairytale not island. Climb down was also unforgettable: full moon, clear sky, moon lighted up path. Just dancing elf missing.
Tenerife
Tourist hangout ;) Coasts are rapid and rocky. Beaches full of tourists. Best in this island was climb in Teide. In the morning we didn’t manage to wake up as it was planned (we overslept about 30 minutes), but anyway… we saw sunrise in Teide crater. With car we draw up to approximately 2250m, left the car there and at 7:30 started climbing. Sunrise gave its magic to Teide. – colours and mightiness of hill was fantastic. Teide is 3718m height, but we didn’t get to peak (just 3555m) – we didn‘t have permissions. Rest of the Teide we saw driving Rent-a-car and stopping at Miradors (beautiful sight).
Yacht
Already going there I knew that I can not escape of feeding fishes. And it was so. Now I remember that with smile – feeding fishes in duet, going to WC (I really had to summon my strength to get off the deck), 17 hour sleeping on deck when waves in ocean are high and water comes over and in result got huge, nice bruise which seeing I got even scared :)
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| early morning on yacht |
There is no bad weather, there is no appropriate clothes. Although I can not complaint on clothes I had, weather was bad. At coast (see level) sun was behind the clouds. Going up in hills – fog and rain. And all the time wind, wind, wind… nothing from expected warm holidays. Island itself (although it didn’t host us hospitable and we didn‘t want to return there) is small and very beautiful.
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| sights in La Gomera | |
Fantastic island. When America was not discovered, this was end of the world. There was nothing beyond it. And feeling really is that this is world’s end. There are almost no tourists, beaches are empty (just some hippies) and again wind, wind, wind. Here the sun showed up, but in the evenings – fog, clouds.
This island is the most beautiful of all visited. May be this impression is because one day we spent only for walk. Walking we felt what is lava (some places black and looks like cows pooh or artwork, some places filed with strewed irregulars stones), cliffs and banana plantation in green-houses. That all in morning walk.
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| volcano lava fields and cliffs | |
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| <- El Sabinar – hundred year old juniper forest -> most beautiful beach in Canary islands | |
Tourist hangout ;) Coasts are rapid and rocky. Beaches full of tourists. Best in this island was climb in Teide. In the morning we didn’t manage to wake up as it was planned (we overslept about 30 minutes), but anyway… we saw sunrise in Teide crater. With car we draw up to approximately 2250m, left the car there and at 7:30 started climbing. Sunrise gave its magic to Teide. – colours and mightiness of hill was fantastic. Teide is 3718m height, but we didn’t get to peak (just 3555m) – we didn‘t have permissions. Rest of the Teide we saw driving Rent-a-car and stopping at Miradors (beautiful sight).
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| <- sunrise while climbing Teide -> NE part of Tenerife | |
pirmdiena, 2009. gada 1. jūnijs
NEPAL
Nepal – that is different world. Although this country is poor, people are happy there, nature is fantastic, cities… interesting.
Our trip was 22 days long – hundred percent relaxation and forgetting everyday life. From usual life we were so far away, that one of main themes we had was condition of our stomach :) can we or we can not sneeze ;)
Kathmandu
Best moments in Kathmandu were mornings, when tourists were still sleeping, streets where almost empty, shops where just opening. In afternoon Kathmandu was overcrowded – people, cars, rickshaws, motorcycles, smog.
Everyday in Nepal has no electricity for 3 hours. This we experiences only in Kathmandu as there is no electricity in mountains nor during rafting. There is no electricity as monsoons ended so there is no water in rivers. After some time there will be no electricity in city almost 12 hours a day.
Noticeable thing in Kathmandu was WC and bathroom in hotel. In mountains those were lot better. Coming in the room first though was that I have really good room, but when I opened door to bathroom… incredible view. Ugly hole in wall where you can see old pipes, wet floor…. After I found out that it is not possible to sit on water-closed as behind there was droping water on edge of the water-closed, no shower head, just pipe. But if you have good imagination and you can use tools you have, you can do/ get anything. Using available buckets and dipper I could sit on water-closed and also “take a bath”.
One of main things in Kathmandy is “shopping”. If you know how and you have wish, you can get price down even more than half.
If you are in Kathmandu you have to see Stupas. We went to 2 of them: Monkey Temple and Boudhanath Stupa. Maybe they are holy, but I didn’t like there. I felt depressed and wanted just run away from there. Maybe that is because of market in territory of Stupa.
Himalaya mountains
Our goal was Tsergo Ri peak (4984m) in Langtang national park. 8 days: 2 days on the way to and from park, 6 days trekking.
Way to and back we spend in overcrowded public bus (TATA). In the beginning of the tirp we were laughing “look at the buses – no door for driver, no windows, overcrowded…”. So … we experienced all of that ourselves.
Our stature man in TATA bus can not stand in full height. Distance between seats is also not for us (even not for me). There is impression that bus ir 100% hand maded – everything is screwed down with lot of screws, handles are crude made of wood, bus itself is decorated with colorful favors, tires – better don’t look, special on spare tire, bumper – may there are bumpers, anchors squeaks, gear box – better don’t think about it, windows – some places there are some, some opens themselves.
On roof of the bus were all our bags, Aldis and Modris (on the way back to Kathmandu also ASh), in the beginning of the way there were some 15 Nepalese, later maybe even more than 30. Bus salon also full – bags, sacks with potatoes and other things, people are standing, some are spitting through window, some vomits, one neighbor drums on knee of Janis, later one Nepal woman sleeps on Janis shoulder. And that is not all. Way to Dhuncha, let’s say, was good enough to drive in Nepalis opinion. I will just add that there was no moment when something would be counted in kilometers, everything was given in hours. It was planned that we will drive some 8 hours to Dhuncha, in fact we were driving about 12 hours. Half of the way was asphalt, that was even worth that we have in Latvia :D, rest of way – unpaved road. All the time narrow mountain roads where we had to let buy other buses. Bus wobbled, time to time I held front seat as ravine was right there at the wheel… I could not see edge of the road and was feeling that raw landslide just in minute will continue sliding down
Next day after bus trip our trekking could be started. As we didn’t get to planned village Syabry Bensi our trek draw out for about 2 to 3 hours that we wanted to cover in first day (this plan didn’t work).
For me trek was hard enough to forget about my camera and enjoy the nature. I didn’t notice when ended woodland. But those moments of rest we had we could enjoy the beauty of the nature – far away village, river, field of rice, yaks, snow on peaks, clouds, sun rises and sunsets… fantasy and delight.
After 3 day trekking we reached Kyanjin Gompa at 3730m high. Here I started to feel that something is wrong – I feel sickness, Mountain sickness.
So the day of reaching the peak came. 3 of us did that. I didn’t. I managed to get till about 4300m high. Rest of day I used to walk around the village, enjoy fantastick sights, admire how people live there and just have a little rest of the trek.
Karnali river
Our goal – Karnali river. 10 days, of which approximately 24 hours on the way to river and 18 hours back. Beginning was similar to trekking – bus. But this time bus was just for instructors and raft tourists, that is us 5 and 10 others (American girl, polish guy, Czech and French tourists). But anyway on the way to river bus was full – rafts, kayaks, tents, food. On the way most part of the day we saw rice fields, small houses and far far away mountains. During night drive I slept. I woke up just time to time, but it could be felt that there are no fields outside anymore but mountain roads and landslides. Next day although we were told that bus will take us right to river and we won’t have to walk as road is fixed, we had really big wish to get out of the bus. Road seamed to be even worth than road to Langtang – holes, time to time mud and bus salon full of dust.
While rafting days flow very similar. Wake up in the morning, breakfast, strike tents, set the personal and other things. Rafting in the day, then lunch, later again rafting. Evening or afternoon camping in sandy beach, drying wet clothes, making tents, making fire, dinner, sitting at the fire and going to sleep. But the best days were first 3 – rapids. I liked. I was laughing at myself – usually I close my eyes and scream. This time I hold my eyes open and I think I even didn’t scream… well… maybe time to time other could hear short ay, ay, ay… that meant that I got cold water spray.
During rafting we fully felt Nepalese, specially children, curiosity. We felt like traveling circus. While rafting people (children) noticing that there is someone or something on the river run to river coast screaming and sawing the air. Seems there is just small house far away, but so many children running … were from they all come? In camping sites there always were children around us, more or less, but always. And the smaller became steep banks, calmer river and closer to finish the more houses, more cultivated land and bigger children covey run to river.
One day during rafting we had chance to walk to and see one of villages at the river. Admiringly how people live there. They have hut, field where to grow rise and potatoes… have goats, maybe cow. Somewhere in village they have phone, somewhere they have hotel (in their meaning). Their lives flow calm, people are happy. What do they need more… they have roof over their head, they have food, they help neighbor if needed. May be this is just my illusion, that people are happy there, but I really think so.
From Nepal I returned happy, enthusiastic, smiling all the time. Although I had to return to day to day live, I walked smiling and seemed happy for couple of weeks. I liked a lot this trip with all adventures and feelings. This country amazes and still inspire.
Photo by: Sanita, Aldis, Modris
Our trip was 22 days long – hundred percent relaxation and forgetting everyday life. From usual life we were so far away, that one of main themes we had was condition of our stomach :) can we or we can not sneeze ;)
Kathmandu
Best moments in Kathmandu were mornings, when tourists were still sleeping, streets where almost empty, shops where just opening. In afternoon Kathmandu was overcrowded – people, cars, rickshaws, motorcycles, smog.
Everyday in Nepal has no electricity for 3 hours. This we experiences only in Kathmandu as there is no electricity in mountains nor during rafting. There is no electricity as monsoons ended so there is no water in rivers. After some time there will be no electricity in city almost 12 hours a day.
Noticeable thing in Kathmandu was WC and bathroom in hotel. In mountains those were lot better. Coming in the room first though was that I have really good room, but when I opened door to bathroom… incredible view. Ugly hole in wall where you can see old pipes, wet floor…. After I found out that it is not possible to sit on water-closed as behind there was droping water on edge of the water-closed, no shower head, just pipe. But if you have good imagination and you can use tools you have, you can do/ get anything. Using available buckets and dipper I could sit on water-closed and also “take a bath”.
 |  |
| <-power pole - almost like artwork ->bathroom - use with imagination | |
If you are in Kathmandu you have to see Stupas. We went to 2 of them: Monkey Temple and Boudhanath Stupa. Maybe they are holy, but I didn’t like there. I felt depressed and wanted just run away from there. Maybe that is because of market in territory of Stupa.
 |  |
| <-Boudhanath Stupa ->Prayer wheel | |
Himalaya mountains
Our goal was Tsergo Ri peak (4984m) in Langtang national park. 8 days: 2 days on the way to and from park, 6 days trekking.
Way to and back we spend in overcrowded public bus (TATA). In the beginning of the tirp we were laughing “look at the buses – no door for driver, no windows, overcrowded…”. So … we experienced all of that ourselves.
Our stature man in TATA bus can not stand in full height. Distance between seats is also not for us (even not for me). There is impression that bus ir 100% hand maded – everything is screwed down with lot of screws, handles are crude made of wood, bus itself is decorated with colorful favors, tires – better don’t look, special on spare tire, bumper – may there are bumpers, anchors squeaks, gear box – better don’t think about it, windows – some places there are some, some opens themselves.
On roof of the bus were all our bags, Aldis and Modris (on the way back to Kathmandu also ASh), in the beginning of the way there were some 15 Nepalese, later maybe even more than 30. Bus salon also full – bags, sacks with potatoes and other things, people are standing, some are spitting through window, some vomits, one neighbor drums on knee of Janis, later one Nepal woman sleeps on Janis shoulder. And that is not all. Way to Dhuncha, let’s say, was good enough to drive in Nepalis opinion. I will just add that there was no moment when something would be counted in kilometers, everything was given in hours. It was planned that we will drive some 8 hours to Dhuncha, in fact we were driving about 12 hours. Half of the way was asphalt, that was even worth that we have in Latvia :D, rest of way – unpaved road. All the time narrow mountain roads where we had to let buy other buses. Bus wobbled, time to time I held front seat as ravine was right there at the wheel… I could not see edge of the road and was feeling that raw landslide just in minute will continue sliding down
 |  |
| <-public transport ->roads | |
For me trek was hard enough to forget about my camera and enjoy the nature. I didn’t notice when ended woodland. But those moments of rest we had we could enjoy the beauty of the nature – far away village, river, field of rice, yaks, snow on peaks, clouds, sun rises and sunsets… fantasy and delight.
After 3 day trekking we reached Kyanjin Gompa at 3730m high. Here I started to feel that something is wrong – I feel sickness, Mountain sickness.
 |  |
| <-we a little bit above Kyanjin Gompa ->sight to village | |
 |  |
| <-peak Tsergo Ri ->my reached 4300m | |
Karnali river
Our goal – Karnali river. 10 days, of which approximately 24 hours on the way to river and 18 hours back. Beginning was similar to trekking – bus. But this time bus was just for instructors and raft tourists, that is us 5 and 10 others (American girl, polish guy, Czech and French tourists). But anyway on the way to river bus was full – rafts, kayaks, tents, food. On the way most part of the day we saw rice fields, small houses and far far away mountains. During night drive I slept. I woke up just time to time, but it could be felt that there are no fields outside anymore but mountain roads and landslides. Next day although we were told that bus will take us right to river and we won’t have to walk as road is fixed, we had really big wish to get out of the bus. Road seamed to be even worth than road to Langtang – holes, time to time mud and bus salon full of dust.
While rafting days flow very similar. Wake up in the morning, breakfast, strike tents, set the personal and other things. Rafting in the day, then lunch, later again rafting. Evening or afternoon camping in sandy beach, drying wet clothes, making tents, making fire, dinner, sitting at the fire and going to sleep. But the best days were first 3 – rapids. I liked. I was laughing at myself – usually I close my eyes and scream. This time I hold my eyes open and I think I even didn’t scream… well… maybe time to time other could hear short ay, ay, ay… that meant that I got cold water spray.
 |  |
| <-our raft team – us 5 Latvians, 2 Frech and instructor ->one of camps | |
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| <-rapids in Karnali river ->after day rafting drying clothes somehow | |
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| island were we spent 2 nights | |
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| Nepali children | |
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| Village at the river | |
Photo by: Sanita, Aldis, Modris
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