one enters another country and meets another
people, with a completely different attitude and mind-set
to those found in Riga......
Estonia, together with Latvia and Lithuania, forms the three
Baltic States. The history of Estonia is very similar to that of Latvia:
invasion during World War II by the German Nazis and then
occupation by the communist regime of the USSR until the
fall of communism in 1989 and finally, joining the European
Union in 2004. However....Estonia has long maintained links
with its Scandinavian neighbours across the Gulf of Finland and
therein maybe lies the difference in the country and its people.
So....heading north to Tallinn in a super-deluxe coach, complete
with wifi......
Meet James, an expat Brit who is now a dual- national of the U.K.
and Russia. He works for a UK law firm and is based in St.Petersburg
where he's lived for the past 20 years and where he was headed today.
He gave us loads of ideas of things to do and see in Tallinn. Unfortunately
it was out of season for the balloon ride but I would have loved to do that!
Our hotel was situated just outside the Old Town of
Tallinn....
and just by the ferry terminal...... Tallinn to Helsinki........
The next morning we headed down to the terminal.....
located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland.....
In the distance, one of the ferries doing its daily run.........
I resisted the urge to hop aboard... next time?
We headed past the Modern Art Museum.....
across the street.....the Old Town......
and walked by this well- known landmark named
Fat Margaret, we never did find out why!
And into the Old Town of Tallinn.......
Lots of medieval buildings, still standing and not damaged
during World War II.....
Cobble-stone streets.....
The Old Town Square....
the medieval Town Hall...
Beautiful architectural details......
I'd love a front door like this!!!
Signs of spring even though it was freezing outside .......
and the sheepskin chair-covers didn't tempt any outdoor diners!
Even though they promised to keep one's tush warm!
We passed by this demonstration outside the Russian
Embassy....
Protesting against the illegal detention of the Ukrainian
MP Nadiya Savchenko.....
She was kidnapped in the eastern Ukraine in June 2014 and
charged with complicity in the killing of two Russian journalists
on the day she was kidnapped.
She's currently imprisoned in Russia and, since March 4th, has been
on a hunger strike protesting her illegal trial and demanding a return
to the Ukraine. Relations between the Ukraine and the Russian
Federation continue to be strained.......nuff said - I'm just glad I
live in a country that doesn't share a border with THAT country....
We headed up Toompea Hill......
A closer look at the Russian Orthodox Church of Alexander
Nevsky.....
We did go inside....no photos allowed....
I love the exterior of Russian Orthodox churches but the interior
just leaves me cold..... too ornate, too much gold leaf and with an
over-powering smell of incense....
This great view of the Old Town from Toompea Hill:
It looks like a fairy-tale town.... no wonder most of the embassies
are located up here on the hill!
Of course no visit would be complete without a little
window shopping! I've never seen SO many souvenir shops in one
place.....
Hmmm.... not sure if I like this modern slant on the traditional
Matryoshkas.......
More Faberge eggs - the famous eggs of the Romanovs - ornate
and bejewelled......
Lots of amber jewellery and this interesting piece with an insect
embedded in it. Shades of Jurassic Park anyone????
Amber - fossilised pine-tree resin- is commonly washed up
on the shores of the Baltic States and we saw it on sale everywhere
in Riga and Tallinn......
That's me and my doppelgänger!
These dolls are often found outside the souvenir and especially, the
woollen goods shops.....
Loved these little guys - they look very Nordic to me...
This gave me inspiration for when I return home....
Both Estonia and Latvia are well-known for their knitwear....
Colourful mitts and socks.....
and these lovely finger puppets....
Felted hats..... some a little bit too goofy to wear....
Hmmm..... can't see that going down well in Callander!
This place looked VERY interesting from the outside.....
It just goes to show......don't be fooled by appearances!!!
But it did serve a really good and super-hot Shepherds Pie!
After...... a quick walk around the new town.....
The Opera House.....
and inside a very modern supermarket. I always like to see
what people are eating......... very healthily in Estonia!
Thank you Tallinn- a great stay and great friendly people!!
On the walls outside our hotel room........
these pearls of wisdom to share........
And my favourite........
So.... onwards and upwards and where to next? I'll give you a clue....
Talk soon
Zoe
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