Tallinn - we will be back!

Our last day on tour and wow.......we are definitely coming back! The photos of Tallinn will tell you why....

 Don't be deceived by that glorious sky - the maximium temperature has been 5 degrees!

 The wedding car below is for you Aaron - they love kitsch

 So why do I love Tallinn so much - the medieval alleys, buildings and artist studios

                                                        ...even a quilting one!!

And sorry Faye - they won't fit in my luggage!!

THANKYOU to each and every one of you who have followed our journey via this blog. Your emails and comments have been wonderful and kept me at it!

We have just caught the Ferry across the Baltic Sea back to Helsinki. We have our farewell tour dinner tonight as we talk about the highlights of our 2 weeks together. SO many memories and how incredible that we can now travel through countries that were once behind the iron curtain....what a privilege. It is so good to see economies growing and independence flourishing. The highlights for me would be the moment I walked onto Red Square at night and the town of Tallinn. (Larry agrees - I think he is too tired to comment!!)Tomorrow night we catch a plane at midnight to Hong Kong. We will be home in just a few sleeps so over and out for now...with a tear in my eye I can say we are looking forward to seeing friends again and especially having hugs from our daughters. XX



Latvia to Estonia

Well our tour is almost over ......Estonia is beautiful and the people interesting. They say Estonians say it just as it is and I recall working with an Estonian nurse who was very honest with her opinions with or without tact - but it a trait that comes with humour as they can laugh at themselves. And this is another country that has survived so much hardship under times of dictatorship.

 It says 4 degrees and I think in a few days we are going back to

temperatures at home 25 degrees hotter!

 The Baltic sea.....bbbbrrrrrrr and it doesn't taste salty and it can freeze over in Winter

 I can't believe the things I have done - a 999 liqueur at 9.30 in the morning!!  It smelt disgusting, tasted worse but throw it to the back of the mouth and scull..........what one will do to get warm and all courtesy of a generous tour director!!

The following images are from my bus seat....many stork nests.......

 The houses are changing as we travel north

 And then we reached Tallinn, the capital of Estonia

 Above - Our view from the hotel window

 and walking around the block of the hotel - old buildings amongst new

 The original timber homes are hidden amongst the skyscrapers. Some are being renovated which is wonderful - the centre of the structure is replaced in concrete with a lift for fire safety purposes

 Amused me to see the children playing at pre-school in jackets, gloves and wooly hats - at home it is in sun hats - 'no hat no play' because of the potential for sun damage ....and here all rugged up!

 Such a common occurence on every street to see sweepers. This has been throughout Russia and the Baltic states. The streets and gutters are so clean and neat and there is such pride

And at our hotel we were intrigued with the "KIDS CHECK- IN" sign and steps and then

I saw it in action. Whatever next???!!! Actually we were told every child who started

school this year received a mobile phone for free as a promotion from

a mobile phone company - and these kiddies are only seven......struth!!