Tallinn, Estonia

Since it's so close by ferry, the tour includes Tallinn. In 2012, CJ walked the city on a deteriorating foot being ravaged by a mysterious foot infection. Today the walk is in the cold and snow and on his recovering new hip, but it is far more pleasant.

The ferry ride is 2 hours. The ferry is huge.

Our local guide is excellent. She has lived through much of the recent history including the fall of the Soviet Union and most recent Estonian independence. She was nine years old when she was part of the famous 360-mile-long human chain the ran from Tallin through Riga and on to Vilnius.

These displays are at a park where Estonians protested Russian occupation through song, the only way they could without being arrested. It is not their major concert venue. At this time of year, the ticket booths are not in use. Perhaps they are only during concerts.

They have had many world-famous acts at this place.

The history of Estonia is such that is has been ruled by others for most of its existence. The Germans, Soviet Union and Swedes have ruled it. Putin wants to rule it. That said, modern Estonia is a high-tech country. Here, a Russian Orthodox church in the lower city.

Within the Tallin fortress and atop the hill in the upper city is a Russian Orthodox cathedral. A Lutheran church is nearby. Gorgeous and colorful period buildings populate the upper city.

There is a veranda overlooking the lower city.

The group descends to the lower city. First we pass through the walls of the upper citadel.

Picturesque buildings abound in the lower old city.

This is said to be the world's oldest Christmas tree.

This was supposed to be a great picture of a beautiful street. That was until this cop decided to drive up the street and park in the middle of it.

The tour ends in lower old town. Our group disperses to various restaurants. After lunch we reconvene and walk a few blocks to the bus and the ferry return to Helsinki.

On the trip to Tallinn, the group had brekkie on the 9th deck. On the return we find seats on the 8th deck. Carol returns from an exploration. There's a bloody shopping mall on this level! She claims she's found a huge liquor store. 

After passing through shopping of all manner, CJ finds the liquor store. He discovers a half dozen versions of Bacardi rum, fine French cognac, a huge Champagne section including Louis Roederer Crystal and Dom Perignon. They have everything alcohol and even fine cigars. It seems alcohol in Finland is expensive. Many Finns purchase a round-trip ferry ticket, maybe thirty bucks, and stock up on booze on the return.

CJ returns with two bottles of Honey Jack. Most bottles are liter bottles. So much for schlepping luggage as light as possible, at least for the first half of the trip.