Tallinn, Estonia - 22 Aug 2000 My photo albums of Tallinn
	Tallinn Tallinn is a major Baltic port and naval station. The city consists of three sections; an upper town on a steep hill [Toompea Hill] topped by a citadel, Toomkirik (13th-14th century), a lower walled town built during medieval times (14th-16th century), and the new district. I read a review recently where someone likened Tallinn to a backdrop of a Disney theme park, without the rides of course, and that's exactly what it looks like, with all the castles and turrets, and cobbled streets. We docked about 8am, but there wasn't any point in going out that early. We caught the 9am shuttle bus [which was put on for us running every 15 mins as it's about a 20 min walk. Go on the bus and there's no customs or anything to go through] to the centre, Viru Hotel, and then wondered through the old town. The centre of Tallinn is all cobbled streets and narrow alleyways, all with freshly painted buildings. All very clean and pretty, and full of flowers. Flowers stalls at every corner, or so it seemed. Beverley came with me and Howard went with Dave. We were to meet back at the ship for lunch. I don't think the other 2 wandered about very much as all Howard wanted to do was go back to the ship to the childrens room and his friends! Beverley and I walked all round the town, both the upper and lower town. The upper town is the prettiest, with points every now and again on the original town fortifications, from which you can look over the rest of the city and take some lovely photos. We walked up Lühike Jaig to Lossi plats the birthplace of Tallinn where the Knights of the Sword built a fortress in 1229, the Castle Square, to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral [Russian Orthodox], a 19th century symbol of the Tsar's [Alexander III] power in Estonia. It was designed by St Petersburg master Mikhail Preobrzhensky and completed in 1900. Toompea Castle, the seat of the Estonian Government is on the other side of the square, however it is a 20th-century building with an Art Nouveau facade. Built on the foundations of a medieval convent, on an embankment of limestone which is also said to be the grave of Old Kalev, the hero of Finnish national epic, but others say it is the resting place of his son, Estonian hero Kalevipoeg and has suffered structurally as a result. Only 19 towers out of the original 66 in the old town walls remain, and many are now serving as museums. We then visited the oldest church in Estonia, the Dome Church, [Toomkirik], founded in 1219 by the Danish forces. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral This took us all morning. No large vehicles are allowed in the old town, just cars. Outside the old town, it's all trams and trolley buses, like St Petersburg, only they are newish and don't look as if they are going to fall apart:) Pedestrian crossings are only areas where you may cross the road. Drivers don't stop unless you are in their way:)! Trams go along any side of the road in both directions and round the roundabouts in an opposite direction to the traffic, so pedestrians beware!! An interesting city. The people were all friendly and helpful too. There didn't seem to be any poverty, no beggars etc, but we didn't go into the outskirts. The seat of the Estonian Government Got the bus back to the ship for lunch and on the way noticed a large indoor market. No-one wanted to come back into town after lunch! Too busy with onboard things, so I went off on my own. I went to the market, very cheap clothes and things they have here! Bought a few trinkets, a pin for Howard's collection on his hat, but couldn't find a schnapps glass for Beverley and her collection, so had to have a little plate, and my magnet:) They do accept US$ and £ here, any European currency in fact, but do prefer the EEK, [kroon], so I just got some out the cash point. Makes life easier than asking the price in other currencies all the time. Lots of Russian stuff here of course, only slightly more expensive than St Petersburg. They seem to have a different national costume for every region in Estonia too. Beverley, Dave and Howard on Viru I went through the main shops and alleyways out side the centre, similar to any european city....Have not found one without a multitude of McDonalds [Is there is city without one?] and even a KFC in St Petersburg! By then it was time to catch the last bus back to the ship for leaving. The time seems to fly, not enough of it. Tuesday is the day when most museums etc are closed for some reason..an odd day really, so didn't get to any. What surprised me here is the number of Casinos! One on every street virtually [not in the old town though] with a striptease next door and then a night club!! All taxis in Tallinn appeared to be black Mercedes, and shared minibus taxis, Merc MPVs. We left the harbour at 5pm towards Travemunde. 60's and 70's night and the women were given tinsel wigs to wear and the men kipper ties in bright colours and hats to match:) Good show in the lounge after dinner too.
	My photo albums of Tallinn

	The Itinerary
	The Ship
	The Ports of Call
	Photographs
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