Today we left Riga with a journey of around five hours to reach Tallin. Our guide kindly gave us two coffee stops today, the second because the driver had to have a restbreak. At the first the server was rather gruff and spoke only in German. I thought she wasn't going to serve me as I didn't have the correct change, so I tipped out my coins on the counter to prove it. And the sweets I bought to suck turned out to be chocolates, not what I had expected at all! So not the most successful stop. But I will enjoy the blackcurrant filled chocolates!
Ilsa filled much of the time on the journey giving us more details about Latvia and passing round books and materials for us to look at. I did copy a couple of recipes, cucumber to dip in honey sounded like an unusual canape, and the crumbled bread with berries also sounded like a possible simple sweet.
Probably quite useful to pass the time as the scenery was pine forest and yet more pine forests with very little in the way of habitation in Latvia, but a few more farm animals and villages in Esthonia.
So what did we learn- well we passed the KGB building in Riga, enough to strike fear into anyone who had lived through the Soviet era. Those who entered never left! Latvia unfortunately has a declining population, as many have left for other parts of Europe due to limited employment opportunities. One of their claims to fame was the Minox spy camera, and here in Tallinn we are staying opposite a building that had a hidden floor with listening equipment. Pharmacology, Tourism and fish are amongst their products but all hang on a whim from Russia, who by sanctions and changes of policy can have an enormous effect. Hence Latvia is trying to protect itself with more independent energy production. Post communism there was 1000% inflation, so funds saved for a car or house would have bought a small domestic item. The older generation have suffered awful financial losses but I imagine accept it stoically for their freedom. Joining the euro has triggered further inflation.
Esthonia our next country, means Eastern lands, Baltic means white! Like blanc and blanco...There is a lot of cross border trade and commerce, Esthonia benefiting from income from Finland where wages are higher.
We arrived in Tallin at our lovely hotel, the Nordic, which has a super pool, spa and full facilities free, unlike the last hotel. So I have made use of the pool and Jacuzzi after the afternoon walking tour!
We met Anastasia, our new guide.
We explored the old medieval buildings in the old town after lunch, and I later returned for tea and cake in the cafe of the marzipan shop, by which time the protestors opposite the Russian embassy had gone. They were chanting with 'we hate Putin' banners, unsurprising after what we have heard.
We passed through one of the medieval restaurants where you eat by candlelight and everything is themed, a bit touristy. Then we visited the old Town hall dating from 14th century.
Here there was a map and information about the Hanseatic league, and I hadn't realised that there had been more than 100 towns. I don't think we learnt them all in school. From here we walked around the alleyways and cobbled streets, then went to the upper town to see the Orthodox Church and the Nevsky cathedral.
That area also contained diplomatic and parliament buildings, and some views of the town and gulf of Finland, with the ferries going in and out, that I will be catching in a couple of days time. Think I will need my vest, it's certainly cooler here!
Parliament building
After a little wander and my tea, forays into a couple of shops I headed back to the hotel, having to cross a police barrier ( no idea), and then to the pool followed by a glass of wine in the bar. No supper again as we had a delightful lunch on arrival. As well as museum's, I think there will be plenty of local handicrafts to look at tomorrow!
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