Today is Līgo, one of the most special days of the year here in Latvia.
This year we decided to celebrate it a little differently. We packed the car, gathered the kids, and set off on a journey across almost the entire country to visit our godson (krustdēls, as we say in Latvia).
The drive was more than 400 kilometres—from Gulbene in the northeast all the way to the Baltic Sea near Saraiķi. It really felt like travelling across the whole of Latvia. As the scenery changed from forests and fields to the salty sea air, the excitement grew with every kilometre.
There is something magical about celebrating Līgo Day beside the sea. The fresh breeze, the endless horizon, and the gentle rhythm of the waves feel like the perfect way to welcome Midsummer.
Happy Līgo (Midsummer festival) to everyone celebrating today! May your bonfires burn bright, your tables be full, and your hearts be light.
Ilze
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Paldies par jaukam Ligo atminam, Ceru kad jums visiem bija jautri. Mes parasit pavadijam darza are BBQ un lielu ugunskuru and radio ar Ligo dziesmam,
Paldies! BBQ un ugunskurs izklausās perfekti šai dienai. Vai tu esi mēģinājusi Šašliku?
What a fun adventure!
Thank you! It really was a fun adventure, especially seeing how the landscape changes across Latvia. Do you enjoy road trips like this too, or do you prefer staying in one place?
Oh yes, it is bonfire night in Estonia also with dancing around the maypole, staying up all night, drinking far too much beer and having a headache the next morning. Nice for you to dip your feet into the sea . . . OMG > it is never, ever so flat anywhere around Australia 🙂 ! Hope you are having a fab time!
Yes, the sea felt like such a calm contrast after all that driving – we just stood there for a while and listened to the waves. I can imagine Australia feels very different! 🙂 Does Australians celebrate something similar?
Absolutely nothing 🙂 ! Remember we never, ever have a flat shoreline – the waves come in at least 2-3 metres high, often more . . . often it can be a case of quite dangerous surfing in 4-6 metre high waves crashing onto the beach
Driving across Latvia and ending up by the Baltic Sea sounds like such a perfect mix of journey and tradition. The change from forests to sea breeze must have made it even more special.
Happy Līgo to you as well, hope the bonfires, food, and togetherness brought lots of joy!
Thank you so much! That shift from forests to the sea really made the whole journey feel like part of the celebration itself. Do you have a favorite kind of place to spend special holidays like this – nature, city, or somewhere completely different?
Have a fun family trip, Ilze.
Thank you! We did have a lovely time together as a family, even the long drive felt worth it in the end. Do you usually travel during holidays, or do you prefer staying close to home?
Looks like a wonderful trip! Belated Happy Ligo!
Thank you! And happy belated Līgo to you too 🙂 It’s always nice to hear from fellow readers after the holiday rush. Do you have a favorite summer tradition where you live?