Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia:
Who knew? Estonia has it going on! We were just delighted at
every turn in this pretty city. Though Germany did occupy Tallinn
during the war, it was not bombed (too much) and the town is in very good
condition for a town started sometime before 1230. Estonia became
independent of Russia in only 1991 - and someone must have some sense,
because Tallinn is miles ahead of St. Petersburg. There is a new,
modern area of the city, population 350,000, but we stayed in the Old Town
all day. Most of the old town area is actually inside an old walled
city. I have taken too many photos - we just wandered around all day,
had a little snack, DT tried Saku beer and we bought a few trinkets. Here are my photos - enjoy lovely Tallinn:
Entering Tallinn through the wall
An old building in town
Circa 1200 church gate and a cat leads us down a cobblestone path
Outside the fortress
The fortress
Huge beds of astilbe planted in the park
Does the USA have a State Puppet Theatre?
We climbed 200 steps to take this photo for you
The T's in Estonia
DT, in front of Parliament and across the square sits Alexander Nevskiy
Cathedral
Parliament Building, built on the order of Catherine the Great, is
constructed into the fortress wall.
Big Henry tower looms over the pink structure.
Beautiful gardens surround the Parliament Building
Okay, sorry, more photos of the fortress walls
Town Square
A busy shopping street
Flower market
We arrived back to the ship - after walking six miles today
- in time for tea. Nothing like sipping from a fine china pot of The
Earl to finish the afternoon in style. Especially if your cakes are
served by white-gloved waiters. We returned early enough for a nice
nap before eating again. My poor feet needed a rest - it isn't the six miles
that is difficult, it is that our walk was on six miles of cobblestone. Yes,
it is gorgeous, but it is hell on the ankles. Imagine the mom's
pushing their strollers over the cobblestone! The poor babies are
tossed all around.
Dr. Stewart B. Nelson is on the ship as a lecturer. He is an
oceanographer, but is also an expert on Russia (and several other things)
and one of the nicest and funniest guys you would want to meet. Tonight
Stewart Nelson had a question and answer session in the Martini Bar which we
attended. Mostly, it was to clear-up any unanswered question a passenger
could have about Russia. The gathering ended-up being a very entertaining
experience. We were able to enjoy quite a bit of time with Dr. Nelson
on this cruise as he accompanied us on several tours as a representative of the ship (and a
secret critic).
Leaving Estonia - view of a huge ferry
We enjoyed another wonderful meal in the dining room with a
nice couple from Walnut Creek. The big special dinner tonight was lobster. We did not partake, but DT had the seafood medley tonight. For his
appetizer he tried the oxymoron special: jumbo shrimp. Then he had seafood
bisque, topped-off by a white fish entree. I had a vegetable terrine,
followed by a romaine and blue cheese salad and had steak frites as my main
course - the same entree I enjoyed on the first night of our cruise.
And I am sad say - this is our last night at sea. We will be in
Stockholm tomorrow night and it's every man for himself Wednesday as we are
all supposed to be off the ship Wednesday morning by 9 am.
Tonight, in the Regatta Lounge, they paraded all the staff in for a big
celebratory show. The entire ship must have come to a stand-still as every
worker was bowing in the lounge - to huge applause, of course. I
high-fived all my favorite waiters and they will all get good reviews from
DT and myself. Not to mention the fabulous Dagmar will get my
still-in-the-box Chanel lipstick - in Tourmaline - that she has been
coveting the entire cruise!
PS: We spoke with our ex-senator this morning. Tonight, there were
added attractions. Details later. In person.
PPS: I have been using my cell phone to update my website in Russia,
forgetting that it $3.99 PER MINUTE to use my phone in Russia. Please read every word. Twice.