Kiriks and Giants

Kaina Kirik ruins
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At the end of the week we headed to Käina, where we visited Käina Kirik (church) ruins before heading to Kassari. Legend has it that the local giant Leiger tried to build a land bridge from here to the nearby island of Saaremaa so his brother Suur Toll could visit. He did this by throwing rocks into the sea, but he was defeated. What was left is called Sääretirp, a spit of rock heading out to the sea for a couple of kilometres. We took a walk along it, battling the wind and enjoying the sunshine while it lasted.

This is where Leiger the Giant was defeated, Saaretirp meets the sea
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On Sunday we managed a bike ride along some back roads to Õngu, stopping for a look around Mänspe Kirik ja surnuaed (Mänspe church and cemetery).  The church was built in 1690 to say thanks after some sailors survived a crash off the coast of Hiiumaa.  There are lots of sailors buried in the cemetary; easily identifiable from the anchors on the gravestones.