Sunday, September 23, 2018

Roadtrip to Liepaja

After a few weeks of taking taxis to and from work, we finally got a car and decided to take a trip to Liepaja, which is about 3 hours west of Riga.



After an uneventful drive, we arrived to Liepaja.  While we were there, we started out by heading straight to the beach to get some pictures of the actual Baltic (compared to the Bay of Riga).  After that we went bowling at an old bowling alley and then finished off the night attending the FK Liepaja v. Riga FC soccer match.  The next day we headed about 30 minutes north to the Northern Forts, which were built in the late 1800s and then to Karosta Prison, for a quick lunch and tour - you can actually stay the night there for a full prison experience, but we didn't...  Overall, it was a great two night trip outside of the city.  Here are a few pictures:

Driving on nice roads for the first time in 6 years

Super windy, but not too cold

Kite surfing on the Baltic Sea

Iconic Liepaja letters on the beach

Soccer match at Daugava Liepaja Stadium

Northern Forts

Kids at the Northern Forts

Northern Forts

Allison at the Northern Forts

Close up Instagram'd mural
Kids listening during prison tour

Gas mask at prison



Monday, September 3, 2018

Finding our way around Riga (Alternatively titled: Our kids don't know how to walk on sidewalks)

(This post was drafted during our first week here... and then life happened and it didn't get posted, so I'm posting it now!)
We've been in Riga a few days now getting ourselves settled and adjusted (hello jet lag). We've been looking at houses and apartments, opening bank accounts, and getting medical clearance. Also, scouting out the best playgrounds, ice cream shops, and as our kids say "kid-friendly restaurants," which to them means the waiter brings them coloring activities.




The city is super cute and we've enjoyed walking around exploring. Taxis have been super easy and there is a lot of English.

We're off to a great start and in Tegan's words we "keep forgetting we actually live here".






And that sidewalk thing? It's been quite apparent it is not a skill our kids have learned. I guess not having sidewalks their entire lives would do that.

Monday, April 9, 2018

Newa Lahana in Kirtipur

Over spring break we had a friend visit from the US so we took him up to 'The Slab' which is a place actually called Newa Lahana in Kirtipur.  They're known for their Raksi and have a large menu filled with interesting items.  Here are a few pictures from the trip:
Apartments in Kirtipur


Some Raksi and Buff (and Star Wars toys)

Allison and T at Newa Lahana

Monday, January 15, 2018

Balthali Hike Revisited

We first hiked Balthali in November 2012 and when a group mentioned they were going this year we decided it was something doable for the kids - though we brought the carrier along for Liam, then 3, to hitch a ride. Obviously I had us pose in the same spot for a side-by-side comparison between years!

 




Friday, January 12, 2018

New Adventures Clue #2

Cow in the Queue

It took us a bit of time and courage to get around this cow and through the door it is standing directly in front of, but we got there eventually.


Thursday, January 11, 2018

New Year, New Adventures

Happy New Year!

At the beginning of this school year we decided that it was time, after 6 years, for us to move on from Kathmandu. A big decision, but also one that we knew was right. We've now accepted jobs and are looking forward to our new adventure. To share out new home we played a game with our family and friends on our personal social media accounts and thought we'd bring it to you. 5 clues over 5 days to try to guess our new home country. See the first clue below: