h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

At last I have time up to catch up with the holiday journal after a week of long days at work, domestic disasters ( including boiler going bump and oven not going at all ) and spending some time with my Mam. I am currently awaiting a visit from Oven Repairman and then home should be in full working order again.

Tallinn – spent the morning walking around Tallinn Old Town. Little tip : Sunday morning with 2 cruise ships in is, I have to say, not the best time to visit Tallinn if you like meandering around empty streets.

Tallinn Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you don’t have to be there long to understand why. It’s packed with Medieval Buildings and the views over the rooftops from the Upper Town are magnificent. I had the feeling that I’d stepped into Fairy Tale Land. I can’t think of anywhere else I’ve visited where a Knight, complete with shining armour, strolling down the street wouldn’t attract comment – the only thing that distinguished him from the Medieval equivalent was the back pack. Apparently, I didn’t witness this myself, Sunday morning is the time for the youth of Tallinn to go to the park and practise jousting, archery, hand-to-hand fighting and other such Knightly pursuits.

The feeling of release the Estonian people feel now that they are no longer under Russian rule was clearly evident. The general atmosphere is completely different from St Petersburg and you certainly see a lot more smiles on the faces of locals than was evident in Russia. One local very proudly pointed out that despite religious worship being banned the statue of Martin Luther that decorates the St Canute’s Guild building had looked down on the Russians throughout the period that they ruled without being noticed. The mischievous laugh that accompanied the story being a clear indication that this was a great local joke.

Went into the Guild of Black Heads for a cup of tea, local cake and a display of local folk dancing. The dress and style of dancing reminded me again of Fairy Tales as they resembled those little dancing figures that come out of clocks. Then had a look around the main Town Square and along St Catherine’s Passage ( a narrow Medieval Passageway lined with underground shops in case you are wondering ) popping into a few shops to buy small souvenirs.

All in all a wonderful way to spend Sunday morning. Full of tea and cake I skipped lunch again.

In the afternoon I visited Rocca Al Mare Open Air Museum. The museum attempts to recreate rural life in Estonia during 18th and 19th Century. The exhibits are buildings brought together from all parts of the country . The setting is a beautiful forested area along the Baltic Coast about 5 miles from the centre of Tallinn. I was right in the centre of Fairy Tale Land again – there’s the Wood-cutter’s hut and it wasn’t difficult to imagine Hansel and Gretel disappearing into the surrounding woods.

Spent a lovely afternoon wandering around and visiting the various exhibits that include farmhouses, pub, school house, chapel and windmill. Really enjoyed the fresh air too.

Estonian needs tourists to bring in much needed funds and in almost every shop I was asked to tell my friends to come for a visit. I can thoroughly recommend the experience although I suspect a long weekend might suffice if you don’t intend straying far from Tallinn.

Back on board for yet another magnificent evening meal. Dare I say that by now I was getting a little fed up with smoked salmon and caviar and had moved on to the iced fruit medley to start.