Arriving at Ainazi

A slow 2 1/2 hour bus trip to cover the 110km to Ainazi from Riga. Mostly the road followed the coastline of the Bay of Riga. Ainazi is a beautiful old township and is apparently the place where our friend Aivars Saulitis grew up. At the time of independence in 1918, the local landowners had the choice of joining either Latvia or Estonia. The majority of landowners were Latvians and the vote was in Latvia's favour, about 100 to 70.

Ainazi - Estonian border

Ainazi muiza

After dining in the hotel dining room (chicken and chips and pancakes), I walked to the Estonian border (just over 1km) and took a side-trip to the stone breakwater ("mols") that apparently carried a railway line from the station out into the bay.  It is largely intact and meticulously constructed with large local stones. Walking out on the mols, the wind was very bracing and I didn't stay long.  

Ainazi mols

The "Helmi" hotel facilities are very comfortable and I have an ensuite. The saimniece (hostess) is very friendly and insisted I try the local honey with my pancakes. Her granddaughter, Anna, acted as translater and advised me about the local sights. She is an art history student at the Art Academy in Riga, apparently with a keen interest in nature.

Helmi Hotel, Ainazi

Anna (right) and her grandmother

I will make an early start in the morning after breakfast at 7am. Hopefully the weather will hold. Over the last week since I have been in Latvia it has rained for part of each day.