Blogs from Tallinn, Estonia, Europe - page 22

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Europe » Estonia » Tallinn August 22nd 2008

I was doing just fine, surrounded by a bevy of Estonian beauties. The remainder of this story is also excerpted from my book Our Summer in Estonia. "All was going great for me, when my competition arrived. A group of Brits, who, believe it or not, were also on the town showing one of their mates a good time, because he too was soon to be married. Of course this was great for Elysee. Fair play, so to speak." The odds of our meeting separate male and female groupS, within minutes of each other, each out for a night of carousing to honor a friend about to get married, are incalculable. As Elysee and I continued our way home, we looked over our shoulder and saw both groups, together, make the turn that took them into ... read more

Europe » Estonia » Tallinn August 20th 2008

I would certainly advise any young person visitng Tallinn to wander into the Old Town Square for night of revelry. Elysee and I were returnig to our apartment from dinner at Controvento, a five minute stroll on a mild summer's night.What transpired next is excerpted from my book."I looked ahead along the lane and saw, moving towards me, a stunning, drop-dead-in-your-tracks sight. Wisecraking outload, I said, 'I must have died and gone to Estonia heaven.' This is better than a muslim martyr with his seven virgins. Headed for the square, and thus straight for me, I was suddenly surrounded by a dozen of the liveliest, lovliest, dressed-for-nightime success, young Estonian ladies.I was immersed, reveling, non-resistant, bantering, allowing myself (obviously very safe at my age and also being with my wife Elysee) to be coyly cojoled as ... read more

Europe » Estonia » Tallinn August 19th 2008

Europe » Estonia » Tallinn August 17th 2008

Riianlahden rantatie oli nyt uusittu kokonaan ja se on hyvässä kunnossa. Tosin se menee nyt kauempana merestä, joten maisemia ei näe. Rekkaliikennekin vähenee huomattavasti Riikan jälkeen, joten meno on paljon mukavampaa ja turvallisempaa. Matka joutuikin oikein hyvin. Riikasta Tallinnaan on kuitenkin yllättävän pitkä matka, 330km! Kaiken kaikkiaan Budapestistä kertyi 1700km Tallinnaan. Onhan siinä urakkaa. Jälleen olimme yksimielisiä siitä, että emme enää ikinä aja Unkariin! Saa nähdä pitääkö päätös? Perillä laskimme, että koko reissun aikana ajoa kertyi n. 13 000 km!!! VW Polon mittariin tuli 10 000- ja Transilvian reissulla ajoimme vuokra-autolla 3000km. Pääsimme Tallinnassa tunnin odotuksella Helsingin lauttaan, mikä olikin jo ihanaa, sillä olo oli reissussa päässyt rähjääntymään. Vaikka olikin helpotus saapua kotimaahan, niin mieli on vielä pitkään tässä ihanassa seikkailussam... read more
Tuliaiset...

Europe » Estonia » Tallinn August 12th 2008

So, our last day in St. Petersburg was a lot of fun. We took the bus out to Peterhof, a palace surrounded by a beautiful park that is filled with fabulous fountains that rival Versailles. We spend a few hours just walking around and enjoying the scenery. It was nice to notice that there were more Russina tourists than foreigners. After Peterhof. we made our way back to the city center and went on a canal tour that took us down the Neva River and gave us a nice perspective of all of the major buildings in St. Petersburg. We realized, sadly, that we didn't really "get" St. Petersburg; it didn't really speak to us. Possibly, it was our hostile hostel that put us on the wrong foot with this great city. We loved the Winter ... read more
The Gate to Tallinn
An outdoor cafe
Asaf in Old Town

Europe » Estonia » Tallinn August 5th 2008

Amazing as it seems for little Estonia St. Olav's church is reputed to have been the world's tallest building at the time of its construction in 1267. It is 140m (460ft) high. It was built by Scandinavian merchants as an orientation point for seaman and named after the Norwegian King Olaf Haraldson. You can still today climb to the top for a magnificent view over the harbor and down into the Town Square. Are their other claims for tallest building at the time? Find out more about Our Summer in Estonia at www.marshallpublications.com ... read more

Europe » Estonia » Tallinn August 1st 2008

I have selected the photograph in this entry because it so captures the contrast between the old and new Estonia. In the background is the construction of a 32 story bank tower and in the foreground is the Russian Orthodox church Our Lady of Kazan, built in 1721 and the oldest wooden structure in Tallinn. Estonia is doing a good job of modernizing, while being aware of its world heritage architecture and cultural ambiance dating back to the 13OOs. This change is also reflected in the people, a dynamic people, totally engaged in the modern world, in some cases advancing beyond their EU peers, but cognizant of their special heritage. It is one of my favorite places, having spent an entire summer their. (see www.marshallpublications.com for more)... read more

Europe » Estonia » Tallinn July 29th 2008

My wife and I did not just visit Estonia, we rented an apartment and stayed for three months. Part of our lifestyle plan to is stay each summer away from our home in Naples, Florida and take up residence elsewhere. We call it THE WORLD IS OUR SECOND HOME. Estonia was wonderful and I hope to report more in the weeks and months ahead. For the impatient you can visit my website www.marshallpublications.com The day after we arrived, there was a day long renaissance festival inthe old Town Square. A wonderful meeting place, the heart of Tallinn and to some degree Estonia. Visited for Christmas by Peter the Great, the reputed location for the first display of a Christmas tree, and the location of the oldest pharmacy in Europe. It is a world heritage site and ... read more

Europe » Estonia » Tallinn July 29th 2008

Ghostwriter Firstly in response to James´ comment we have not taken a ghostwriter with us on holiday but as a joint blog it would be rather annoying to have to do otherwise... perhaps I (fiona) shall take up the royal we in future... Day Two The day started late as we slept in still rather knackered from the Stansted epic. Met up with Andres, a former Jasmine di Milo colleague, and went for lunch at the rather posh looking "Vertigo" restaurant which was on the top floor of a rather tall building as the name may suggest. It was all sleek and showy but had an amazing view over the city and was actually rather good value so we monched a delicious caesar salad each. In a rather unexciting portion of the day we made it ... read more

Europe » Estonia » Tallinn July 28th 2008

Day One The trip started ridiculously early due to having to spend an exciting night at Stansted airport... Dramas also occurred early with a horrendous nosebleed on the coach to the airport for Fiona... Tissues were salvaged from kind foreigners. Finally we boarded the plane...nice to see that for once, it wasn't overpopulated with stag-bound revellers. Fortunately the obligatory screaming baby was at the other end of the cabin. The scenery from the window was predictably glorious when we eventually woke up after grabbing a couple of hours sleep open mouthed. Found the Euphoria hostel (probably the hippiest place in all Estonia) with only one incidence of fare evasion... We're staying in the Bob Marley dormitory with a huuuuge poster of the aforementioned. There tends to be random tribal jamming sessions at all hours of the ... read more




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