Haapsalu

Finally, the time had come to visit some of my (Arvi’s) relatives in Haapsalu! Ester, my Fathers cousin was more than generous letting us stay  and welcoming us into their home.We were so grateful for her amazing hospitality and tasty tasty food.

Mati,Embi, Arvi, Ester ja Lembit (and Sandy the dog)

Mati and Embi took us to some castle runes that looked beautiful with the surrounding grounds all green and ready for summer performances. Haapsalu has a picturesque boardwalk where we stopped for a smoothie and also looked at some pictures from when it had been flooded. We visited an old soviet airbase. We drove on the landing strips with old, abandoned  aeroplane hangers looking like little hills covered in grass on either side.

Haapsalu castle

View from the top

beautiful day beautiful boardwalk

The next day we drove out to see a recently created monument to the ‘Metsavendad’ (forest brothers) in which three of my grandfather’s brothers fought in during the soviet takeover.  It took us a bit of searching though the bush but we found it eventually! We also visit the old ruins of the homestead that my grandfather grew up in.

in the forest

Embi, Ester and Leah while we were looking in the forest

the monument with my vana onu August Lehtsalu engraved on .

Ester and I in the old runes of the bunker

During summer a lot of Estonians relocate to their summer homes. We dropped in at Ester and Lembit’s summer home close to the water with a lovely green garden with giant garden snails.

Leah and massive snails

striking a pose in front of an old manor

It was great to be around more beautiful family, hear some family history and visit the places where it all happened. Thank you Haapsalu we’ll be back.

my Great grandparents and their family