Exploring Tallinn

Hello from Estonia! 

Today we got up at 5.45am and walked to the Helsinki ferry terminal west. It was raining but only a tiny bit which was lucky!! We boarded our ginormous ferry and were on our way. The ferry had 10 levels. We spent the duration of our ride sitting at tables using the internet and walking around a little. There were shops, a supermarket, a pub etc. At one point I put my head in my arms and managed to nap for about 10 minutes!! The ride was very foggy so we couldn't see any views of the Baltic Sea but I was just happy to be on a ferry without feeling like I was going to die (see my post from the 4th of June - ferry ride from Ios to Athens!). 

We arrived in Tallinn, Estonia about 9.30am and walked to the old town where we are staying. It was really really really foggy this morning so I was a bit grumpy as I'm a little over the crappy weather. Kind of ironic that we came to Germany in winter last year and it was 23 and sunny, now I'm here in "summer" and it's cold, cloudy and foggy. I expected the cold and don't mind it, but would like the sun to appear again at some point please!

Our apartment is in a fantastic location. We are easily able to walk anywhere we like, and people from Topdeck recommended me two restaurants; one of which is 20m opposite us and one of which is around the corner!! We easily met the owner's friend, got let in and were so happy with how big the apartment is. Helsinki's was so small that we were very cooped up. Here we have a huge lounge room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom with a washing machine. 

We set off for a day of exploration. As I said yesterday, I've wanted to come to tallinn since year 11 when they came here on 'The Amazing Race' and then speaking to nan and pa about their time here as well. The old town area is so medieval, reminds me a little of Prague. I love the cobbled streets, medieval looking buildings and the people dressed up (even if that's a bit touristy!). 

We walked around all day and saw and did a lot of different things! Firstly we walked the famous streets Vene and Pikk, which are lined with 15th century buildings. We also enjoyed the old town square which has northern Europe's only remaining intact gothic town hall and is lined with quaint little restaurants. I can hardly tell the difference between the roads and footpaths here though, and we couldn't help but laugh at a fellow Australian when, while he was taking a photo, a van snuck up behind him. Everyone else nearby had moved but this man was completely oblivious of the fact a huge van was 10cm away from his back. I couldn't help but burst out loud with laughter when he turned around and had the funniest look of shock on his face!!! He laughed too, the driver didn't (he looked unimpressed!!!). 

We saw a few little passageways like the White Bread Passage which was lined with chocolate shops and cafés, and St Catherine's Passage. Only problem is that eight cruise ships decided to dock here today as well, so there were people EVERYWHERE! Mum had her first experience of European summer craziness today. Our previous two Europe trips have been in winter. Due to this, we a used to either being two of few tourists around (eg Italy) or the only tourists around (eg our tour at Gallipoli on which we were the only people!!). So as you can tell we've been well and truly spoilt and enjoyed many sights and towns mostly by ourselves. Today mum realised this is not the case in summer (which she can also remember from hers and dad's tour in summer 1990). About five groups of cruise people walked through the passage so we had trouble actually looking at parts of it. But we got there in the end. 

We also went to St Olaf's Church and climbed the 260 odd steps of the tower. They were so steep - great exercise! The view was nice but partially spoiled due to fog. Ah well, can't have everything. We then walked to the Fat Margaret Tower and the Great Coast Gate, which protected the entrance to the old town from the port in medieval times. Today it houses the maritime museum but we gave that a miss. 

Then we checked out some medieval market stalls. I bought some reindeer socks in Norway with pom-poms but had been on the hunt for some longer thick socks to wear with my boots. Here I found them! Bought some fluffy, woollen grey socks with cats on them. So warm!! Here we ran into some men from the cruise from Canberra. God I hope my accent doesn't sound like theirs. Painfully bogan!!! But they were really nice. 

Next was another tower, this time the town hall one. This time the sky was still cloudy but much brighter. The stairs were once again very steep and we all started to feel dizzy. Got to the top and it was this tiny little room with a few openings that were hard to see out of. We had to climb up on them to see the view! But once you did that it was ok. Then we had some lunch at a little cafe. Mum and I had a sandwich each and a cake (me raspberry and mum an orange berry we didn't know) and dad a Mars bar type car. All was delicious! And we enjoyed it sitting outside in a cute little laneway. The best part of Estonia - how cheap it is. I've gone from 3-4 weeks of expensive food to all this food with drinks and a coffee costing us just €14,40. Yay!

We had a rest at the hotel and then went to the city museum. I really enjoyed this museum as it had just the right amount of info. Gave us a good overview but didn't make your head feel like it would explode. I didn't really know anything much about Estonia so it was good to find out some information. Over the years the Danish and Swedish ruled Estonia, but the Russians then did until 1918. From 1918-1940 they were an independent country, but then the Russians took over again in 1940. The Germans did for a short time in 1941 but then the Russians continued to rule until 1991. In 1991 Estonia once again became independent. Hard to believe that this happened just a year before I was born!!! 

Our last stop for the day was climbing some old towers and scaling part of the city walls. This was quite good but there were pigeons (and bird poo!!) everywhere. All over the stairs and rails you had to use and everything. Wasn't very pleasant!!

Tonight we went to a medieval restaurant called 'Olde Hansa' which my Topdeck tour had gone to on Saturday night and raved about. Unfortunately for us we must have got them on a bad night. Firstly I had to go and get us menus as no one else brought them. Then we all ordered an entree and a main. Mum's entree came but not mine and dad's. Then our mains came....we chased it up about 3 times and the waiter kept getting confused. Finally our remaining entrees came but mine was cold as if it had been sitting there the whole time. We got our mains and they were alright but nothing special. Disappointing :(

Ah well. Trying a pub tmro that the cook from the tour recommended, but after the last recommendation from that tour group, maybe we shouldn't!! Haha. 

Love to all

Claire

Xoxox