Estonia National Park

I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move. - Robert Louis Stevenson

June 13, 2009, Saturday, Laagna Campground, Narva , Estonia, to the Gulf of Finland and Valaste Falls to Saka Cliff Hotel and Spa/Campground.
Estonia… and it is time to catch our breath and reorganize. The currency is now the Kroon, about US$ 1 equals 10 Eeks. After cleaning up, and getting some Kroons we headed to the food store and the Info Center. We decided to visit the cliffs along the Gulf of Finland. In spite of road construction, we found Valaste Waterfall, the largest. They had an interesting spiral staircase down to the observation deck. We came upon a young couple who recently got engaged and were involved in the “Lock Ceremony”. The groom promises his undying love and as a symbol he fastens an engraved padlock to the deck, then he turns and throws the key over his head into the sea. All followed by champagne and photos.
Saka Cliff Hotel & Spa/Campground is home for the night. After a hot shower, and nice meal, the rain came down in torrents; it’s good to be “home” (and Out of Russia).


June 14, 2009, Sunday, Saka Cliff Hotel-Spa/Campground to Lahemaa National Park, Estonia.
We decided to take advantage of the signed hike trail along the Gulf of Finland. It looked like a “wuss” trail, but it changed quickly into more of a challenge because of the hills and because of last night’s rainstorms. Everything was a muddy mess as we went “slip sliding” down the trail to the Sea. Every so often there was a sign to point out information regarding the surroundings. We saw “blue clay” 530 million years old. This unique clay does not turn into shale but remains “gooey”. Well the hike back up the hill was very challenging, why didn’t we bring the hiking poles!? After slogging through the vegetation and mud, there was a huge metal staircase?!
Onto Lahemaa National Park and the Info Center where we viewed a video on the park and its history. It is a rocky stretch of the north coast of Estonia and was founded in 1971, with the aim of protecting and exhibiting its varied nature and cultural heritage. It is the largest NP in this country.
We found Vosu Eesti Campground right in the park.

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