Childs Play!

Today we had one of the most awesome days of the trip. Armed with soccer balls, chocolate and pencils and paper we visited a orphanage which has 27 kids aged 2-22.

The kids were fantastic! We played a few ball games with them, drew some pictures etc and generally had a great time, complete with hugs when we were leaving. This was a very special experience for all of us and one we won't forget.

It was also fantastic to see more Rotary funds in action as the laundry, kitchen and other renovations had been partly funded by the Rotary Foundation.

After the orphanage we went to some sand caves, there was 2km of man made winding caves, at one time the sand was used for making glass. Only Lesley, Tim and Christie went in, Jackie and Brooke stayed outside to coordinate any search and rescue mission required! We carried our candles into the cave, it was very narrow at points and we also had to crawl a bit! We were also made to blow the candles out when we were 12 metres underground, it was a bit unnerving but fun!

Lunch followed the cave adventure (pictured) which was a massive BBQ, they sure do a good BBQ here. This was at about 3-4pm. We then went to the Rotary club meeting and had dinner, food glorious food! We gave a presentation complete with interpreter who lived in Adelaide for 5 years which was great as the communication is a little harder in the rural areas (we are playing a bit of charades!) but everyone is trying very hard to communicate. The Rotarian's have made us very welcome in Kuldiga and we are sad to be moving on! Tomorrow we head to the coastal town of Liepaja for more adventures.

P.S Jackie and Christie had a sauna at their hosts house tonight - it was Jackie's first sauna, in the winter here is gets to -30 degrees and they jump€ from the sauna into the lake outside, of course only after breaking through the ice first (crazy!).