Europe (Tallinn,Estonia) May 2009 D21-D22

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia has a small population of 400,000. This northern Baltic state is near the Gulf of Finland and towards the northern front, lies Russia. Estonia gained her independence in 1991 from Russia and adopted a western style economy since then. Due to time constraints, I was not able to visit Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, another Baltic country from the south near the border of Poland & Belarus. My reason for visiting Talinn was to take an Eurolines bus to St Petersburg, Russia. Tallinn was my last European city I visited for this trip and by tomorrow, my focus is on Russia and the Tran-Siberian train ride from Moscow to Mongolia and China. From Tallinn, there are passenger ferries which cross the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki.

At 08.30, I took an Eurolines bus (Euro$12) from Riga to Tallinn arriving around 1300. I put up a night in Euphoria hostel (Euro$10 dorm), which gave me sufficient time to explore this far away city from Europe.

I spent my time visiting the various tourist sites in Toompea (lower and upper town), Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square) & Vabaduse vljak, the modern center where I bought my groceries and food from a supermarket before leaving for Russia. Most of the sites are within walking distance from my hostel so it was really a free and easy tour for me - no stress and at my own leisure time using a city map as guidance.

1) Raekoja Pkats (Town Hall Square) & Puhavaimu Kirik (Holy Spirit Church) - this Gothic Town Hall was built in 1371 and is an important landmark to Tallinn since the 17th century The Holy Spirit Church was built in the 14th century and its clock is the oldest in Tallinn.

2) Toompea - attracted by the red-roofed Gate Tower dating back to 1380. Other interesting buildings are the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral & Toompea Castle.

 

At the Paks Margareeta, a 16th century bastion ( fort ) , there are great views from the platform on the roof.

3) Churches in Talinn - the 19th century Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Niguliste Church, Kaarli Kirik Church, Oleviste Church to name a few.

4) Old Dominican Monastery - founded in 1246 as a base for Scandinavian monks. The complex houses the largest collections of stone carving .

Something to ponder in Tallinn: The Tallinn tourist brochure made a remark on the Estonian language, which is totally different from Russian, Latvian, Swedish, German or any other Indo-European tongue. I can't understand a damn word. But most of Estonian youth speaks really good English ! So you are not shield from talking to any passers-by in Estonia if you are conversant in English. Some of the common words you need to learn in Estonia - 1) Tere (Hello); 2) Head aega (Bye); Palun (Please) & Tanan (Thank you) ! Now you know Estonia has a strange language !!!

" Scandinavian in look, Tallinn & other towns in Estonia ie Tartu and coastal resorts of Parnu are worth exploring if you want to appreciate more on the beauty and charm of this tug away city from the Baltics - a long way from our Malaysia home !
The Secret of Life - Surf the net at leisure "