Tallinn
One of my final 'new' destinations before the trip is all over. After my time in Tallinn staying in another hostel seemed very seldom. Weird to think that the big trip is finally coming to an end, even though it doesn't feel like a great deal of time has passed...thinking of it...May...it really was long ago.
After nearly five weeks in Scandanavia with the majority of my time spent with Anni, the both of us needed a sserious break from one another, regardless of how close we have become. So I booked a cheap flight from Stockholm to London with plans to get a ferry from Tallinn the day before my flight.
A ferry a day keeps the doctor away! Ferries seem to be the way of life around Scandanavia and the biggest reason being the tax-free alcohol they provide. It is a nice test of patienence too for a backpacker like me, who refuses to pay exhoribant prices for a food or drink and has no entertainment except some trashy books. Ahhh, it was only three hours of bliss before arriving in a fresh and new city. Technically not new as I came through on my way to Finland but I only say the port.
The beautiful old town of Tallin was only about a ten minute walk from the port and it's many church spires acted as brilliant landmarks for me to find my way. IT had been such a long time since I had stayed in a hostel that I almost forgot the annoyance of having no clue where to stay. Even now, I remember the travel advice given to me by Mel all the way back in Tooting Broadway: 'Always look out for the big 'I''. Keeping my eyes sharp and my wit sharper, I soon found the beacon of hope. Maybe it was just luck but I cannot resist making such a boring affair sound like an exciting quest. Walking through Tallinn's old town takes you back to the medieval times so it is only fitting.
Tallinn has been controlled by many different foreign entities over it's very turbulent history and it really shows why Estonians are so proud of their country today. First the Dannish invaded, then the Germans, then the Swedes, then the Russians. Well I am sure there were some others in there also but those were the main ones. Russians then ruled for a long time before Estonia became an independant state...then the Soviets took control, then the Nazis and finally the Soviets again. True, long term independance did not come about till the early 1990's. It can be seen that
My patience for travelling might still be strong but meeting new people all the time is wearing thin. Being asked the common questions: "How long have you been travelling for? Where have you been?" etc. reallly is tedious after the 7000th time. Nobody's fault, as it is just a sign I need to go home! Nevertheless, I still met people I managed to find enjoyable company. Two Swedish girls in fact. They were writing a guide on Tallinn for school and the three of us explored the homosexual aspect of the former Soviet City. Quite fascinating, as 'secret' clubs, banned under the regime still exist how they were then. No signs and in hidden places...a sign of the intollerance once in place. The two of them were also catching the same ferry to Stockholm as me, so I had company for the 17 hour journey.
The hostel I eventually ended up at, after my horrible first night at Eurohostel was the same owners as the hostel I stayed at in Riga. Therefore, it was fairly cheap, homely and have nice extras. Hostel extra of the week was free sauna, whenever you wanted, which I indulged frequently. If I ever had my own home in Australia I will be building a Scandanavian/Baltic sauna next to the bathroom. I am obsessed.
As the history of the Baltic nations in recent times is similar across the board I did not feel the need to explore museums. Quite frankly, I also have been saturated. Therefore I was more inclined to find a cosy cafe and read while also sleeping in late. Tallinn is the perfect city for that. Justifying to my own lazy exploring though is that this time of year is extremly quiet onthe tourist front. A great many attractions are closed due to winter, transport links are infrequent and not much is going on.
Basically, I did not do much in Tallinn. I did not even go out much. Just indulged in Sauna, read my book in a little cafe and looked forward to my flight to Stockholm. That is what made me happy though so I do not care.
After nearly five weeks in Scandanavia with the majority of my time spent with Anni, the both of us needed a sserious break from one another, regardless of how close we have become. So I booked a cheap flight from Stockholm to London with plans to get a ferry from Tallinn the day before my flight.
A ferry a day keeps the doctor away! Ferries seem to be the way of life around Scandanavia and the biggest reason being the tax-free alcohol they provide. It is a nice test of patienence too for a backpacker like me, who refuses to pay exhoribant prices for a food or drink and has no entertainment except some trashy books. Ahhh, it was only three hours of bliss before arriving in a fresh and new city. Technically not new as I came through on my way to Finland but I only say the port.
The beautiful old town of Tallin was only about a ten minute walk from the port and it's many church spires acted as brilliant landmarks for me to find my way. IT had been such a long time since I had stayed in a hostel that I almost forgot the annoyance of having no clue where to stay. Even now, I remember the travel advice given to me by Mel all the way back in Tooting Broadway: 'Always look out for the big 'I''. Keeping my eyes sharp and my wit sharper, I soon found the beacon of hope. Maybe it was just luck but I cannot resist making such a boring affair sound like an exciting quest. Walking through Tallinn's old town takes you back to the medieval times so it is only fitting.
Tallinn has been controlled by many different foreign entities over it's very turbulent history and it really shows why Estonians are so proud of their country today. First the Dannish invaded, then the Germans, then the Swedes, then the Russians. Well I am sure there were some others in there also but those were the main ones. Russians then ruled for a long time before Estonia became an independant state...then the Soviets took control, then the Nazis and finally the Soviets again. True, long term independance did not come about till the early 1990's. It can be seen that
My patience for travelling might still be strong but meeting new people all the time is wearing thin. Being asked the common questions: "How long have you been travelling for? Where have you been?" etc. reallly is tedious after the 7000th time. Nobody's fault, as it is just a sign I need to go home! Nevertheless, I still met people I managed to find enjoyable company. Two Swedish girls in fact. They were writing a guide on Tallinn for school and the three of us explored the homosexual aspect of the former Soviet City. Quite fascinating, as 'secret' clubs, banned under the regime still exist how they were then. No signs and in hidden places...a sign of the intollerance once in place. The two of them were also catching the same ferry to Stockholm as me, so I had company for the 17 hour journey.
The hostel I eventually ended up at, after my horrible first night at Eurohostel was the same owners as the hostel I stayed at in Riga. Therefore, it was fairly cheap, homely and have nice extras. Hostel extra of the week was free sauna, whenever you wanted, which I indulged frequently. If I ever had my own home in Australia I will be building a Scandanavian/Baltic sauna next to the bathroom. I am obsessed.
As the history of the Baltic nations in recent times is similar across the board I did not feel the need to explore museums. Quite frankly, I also have been saturated. Therefore I was more inclined to find a cosy cafe and read while also sleeping in late. Tallinn is the perfect city for that. Justifying to my own lazy exploring though is that this time of year is extremly quiet onthe tourist front. A great many attractions are closed due to winter, transport links are infrequent and not much is going on.
Basically, I did not do much in Tallinn. I did not even go out much. Just indulged in Sauna, read my book in a little cafe and looked forward to my flight to Stockholm. That is what made me happy though so I do not care.