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ameya · Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 12:09 pm Post subject: Timeless Tallinn

Timeless Tallinn

Click the link for pictures & complete blog. Estonia is magical, do consider including it in your trip to EU.

My first brush with Tallinn was when I read about the ex-KGB station being discovered few years after the soviets left (more on that in another blog), the next was when I came to know that Skype was invented in Tallinn and the third was just before the trip when I came to know that the structures in Tallinn can’t be legally taller than its medieval church! This rule is just for the old town, a UNESCO world heritage site and Tallinn now is a great mix of old and new, with modern skyscrapers towering on the edge of the picturesque old town.

As the aircraft reached cruising altitude after taking off from Riga, the clear skies and relatively lower flying turboprop aircraft gave a good view of the Estonian land below. Scattered snow is not exactly what we had planned to see. The weather app predicted -4C when we were to land and -10C later the same day. As we started our descend and aligned to the runway, the frozen Baltic sea came in sight!!

The two-minute walk from the aircraft to the terminal gave a glimpse of what to expect during our stay. As we retrieved our bags and walked towards the tram stop, we got a view of the frozen Ulemiste lake. Use of technology was in abundance and we could see it at more places than one during our stay. Tram came exactly at the time mentioned on the monitors and we stepped out from the warmth of the terminal into the windy and chilly air of Tallinn. Irrespective of the distance, the cost was EUR 2 for the tram ride with tickets available with the driver. The modern coach lacked stands for luggage but had information on the next stop and was well heated. The snow on the streets and people in smart jackets and overcoats was another indication of the weather and what we should expect. The walk from the tram stop to the hotel seemed like an eternity since we had to wait for the signals amidst the chill.

We were staying at Hotel Viru – the same hotel which had the KGB spy station and is now a museum. The hotel was kind to accept our request and give us rooms facing the Baltic sea and on the higher floors. The first thing we noticed when we entered the room was the vast expanse of Baltic sea – most of it being frozen even in the last days of March, a time which is officially spring in Estonia. That was a sight to behold.
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PAL@YWG · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 11:55 pm Post subject:

Brought back fond memories of Estonia. I visited Tallinn most probably in 1996. At that time you could still see quite a bit of Soviet architecture but 20 years after I am guessing they are gone!

Visited a little island called Saaremaa (not Saregama Smile

), pristine and unspoilt at that time. Local kids followed us pretty much everywhere we went in that island, I was told they haven't met yet anyone of our skin colour!

Thanks for posting Ameya!
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sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Ameya Sir: lovely TR involving a city where I did not have the time to make a trip there, from Vilnius. The three Baltic States, the first to go independent form the former Soviet Union, Lithuania, Estonia and Lativa, have always been on my TODO list. I have only managed Vilnius and its environs in Lithuania, for a short official trip (which also put paid to much of my hopes for explorations). Some of the former Soviet traditions are quite clear from your lovely descriptions. I visited Vilnius in some great weather: July. You and Mrs. Joshi have the guts to visit exotic places in times which mere mortals like Yours Truly find too challenging! I also find the similarities and differences with Vilnius, quite interesting. I will like to discuss this in more detail with you both, perhaps face-to-face, since you both have also spent some time in Vilnius.

Samir-da: we must hear of your adventures, in more detail.
Cheers, Sumantra.

ameya · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 12:32 pm Post subject:

PAL@YWG · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 7:30 pm Post subject:

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi