Visit to Helsinki & Tallinn

6 - 9 September 2007

Really looking forward to this trip to Estonia, hope to see dear old Triin again :) before I return home, and this may also be the last travel trip :( before I leave Europe then...

The plane was on 5th Sept and I arrived Tallinn near midnight...
The next day was planned for Helsinki, which was only 2 hours' ferry from Tallinn...


Not a good day though, heavy clouds and drizzle for the whole day, and cold...
Visited places such as: Helsinki Cathedral in the Senate Square, surrounded with the University of Helsinki; Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral; Old Market Hall; some window-shopping too...got something nice for my boss ;)

View of Tallinn from the sea...

Remains of the ancient gates surrounding the Old Town area, the Viru Gate which was built in the 14th century. The historical name of Tallinn is Reval.

Kateriina Käik, a small narrow alley, lined with handicraft workshops eg. leather, quilts, clay, wood... If you look around carefully, you can spot a little 'cat' sitting on the top of the chimney ;)


If you really want to splurge on a good meal in Tallinn, must go for Olde Hansa, which is very authentic for its medieval ambience, exotic meats, homemade delights, happy & warm service, cozy candlelights...

The staffs are dressed in medieval style, and it's actually a prestige to work for Olde Hansa, because of the tough selection criteria and special trainings. They are taught to behave like the middle age times, warm & happy people. The restaurant used to be an old warehouse of a rich merchant, the interior decoration of the hall, even the toilets, reflects the way of living in the middle age.

The menu is interesting too, Triin explains that there is no potato in the main course, because during those times, potatoes is not discovered yet!!! I had fish stew and honey beer, yummy!!!

Typical houses with sharp slating red-tiled roof. Also the @MC office (in Tudengimaja building) is located right in the heart of the Old Town, at this Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square).

Tallinn's late Gothic Town Hall building is one of the most famed symbols of the city. At the top of the tower sits Old Thomas, who was a much-beloved 16th-century town hall guard.

Danish King's Garden: In 1219 when the Danes conquered Tallinn, legend has it that the Danes nearly lost the battle and summoned help from God, and a red flag with the white cross dropped from the sky, thus giving them their national flag. The name Tallinn, is said to be short for "Taani Linn" which means Danish Town.

Russian's Orthodox Cathedral

Over-view

Hell Hunt = Gentle Wolf = The First Estonian Pub

Thanks to Triin, I had a wonderful homestay in the 101% authentic Estonian way :)

We spent the weekend in her home near to Tartu (Tartu is the 2nd largest city, after Tallinn). We went to the Song Festival, picked berries, drove around the suburbs, wandered around the woods, meddled around the kitchen with her mum, watched soccer (against Croatia) with her dad, eat lots of apples...and many more... ;)

By chance, when we reached Tartu, there was a Song Festival taking place in the old Tartu University grounds. Crowds of people standing around the stage, groups of singers gathered on stage, revolutionary music and national folk songs, photographs exhibition on the independence from Soviet Union, and with people singing along... Song Festival is an integral part of the Estonian tradition, it started in 19th century, as part of romantic and nationalist movement in Europe.

In Tallinn, the All-Estonian Song Festivals are held in this place since 1928, located at the foot of the Lasnamägi area of the city on Pirita Road near the sea. It looks like the sea-shell that can holds up to 24,000 singers on the stage, with the audience sitting all along the grass slopes...


We also drove to the 2 famous lakes in Estonia: Valgajärv (White Lake) and Mustjärv (Black Lake), both well-hidden among the pine forests. Valgajärv is transparent due to less mineral content, the aquatic life of the lake is poor and the water is slightly acidic. Mustjärv has very acidic water, it is reddish-brown and very rich in organic substance, this it has little transparency.

can't help snapping pictures under such sunny weather...

After the pine forest, we came into the Meenikunno Bog, the swampy part of the Meenikunno Landscape Reserve. And we were happily picking up cranberries on the ground, lots and lots of berries around...so cool ;)

Even more cool, Triin's mum make them into cranberry jam, 101% hand-picked-home-made jam!!! But but it can't cross the border at the airport security check, what a pity!!! so sad :(

Suur Taevaskoda (Great Heaven's Hall) - The sandstone cliff and the wood as the walls, grass for the floor, the blue Estonian sky as the roof and ceiling, thus the nature has created the sacred halls of the Great Heaven.

We spent the last day back in Tallinn, visited some museums, royal palace, strolled along the beach, random chats, stupid games, Olde Hansa treats, late night cafe spree, out of Old Town and back home. That night I did not sleep, partly due to that special coffee I've got, partly due to the need to pack my bag, mostly due to those chats with Triin, her passions, her motivation, her inspirations...also thinking about my life after Belgium...

Soon I was off to the airport and on my way back to Belgium, ready for another week's of challenges ahead... :D