Estonia's post-independence renaissance has given exuberant new life to the medieval Hanseatic city.
Lying on the shores of the Baltic with the Russian Republic to the east, Latvia to the south, and the sea to north and west, it covers just 17,500 square miles, one-third the size of England.
Tallinn, the capital, has a population of 400,000, and is one of the oldest Baltic towns, being mentioned on the World Map in 1154.
Several cruise ships were in port same day as us, no problem though, we all managed to
see everything without falling over each other. The tethered balloon was kept busy taking
people up for an overview of the lovely city.
The Upper Town and Lower Town developed separately, Upper being ruled by German aristocrats, Lower as a free merchants' town. Two-thirds of the original town walls remain. Lovely cobbled squares, historic walls, old clock, doorways, interesting architecture of the colorful buildings.
Also, beautiful Estonia-made clothing - I indulged and purchased a few unusual linen items - maybe a fashion post to come later.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - Byzantine in style with typically Russian onion domes.
We thoroughly enjoyed this first port of call on our Baltic cruise. Sunshine was a plus of course - and we drank excellent coffee in a cave-like olde worlde coffee house as Bob checked the map…
…and today, a very happy birthday to my dear Bob, 74 and still the most active and busy guy I know.
Oh, and keep lifting those weights dear, you'll be lifting suitcases again before you know it!
Tallinn, Estonia, a lovely capital city, truly a small gem in my book!
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