***
Baltics trip
Day 10 - 25th May - Kuressare, Estonia (Part 1)
We reached Tallinn at 4:15am, when it was already quite bright. Since the terminal opened at 6am we were shivering in the cold (even though I found a windbreak) until nw.t found a casino. He disappeared inside to buy drinks, which was still okay, but he spent 15 Kr of bus money on shots. "Luckily", there was no 5:45am bus, so we changed money in the terminal before taking the 7:45 one.
We'd had an extra day, so we decided to venture out to Kuressare, on the island of Saaremaa - the largest Estonian island. Our bus had to mount on a ferry from Virtsu to Muhu to travel there.
Crossing the straits. Notice the Estonian commitment to alternative (wind) energy
Very bizarre ad we saw on the ship:
"Stripclub 24h
Aspasia
- Showgirls
- Sauna
- Massage
- Billiards
- Private and oriental show"
Considering that the island had 39,000 inhabitants and the town of Kuressare 15,000, it wasn't clear how there were enough customers to sustain a 24 hour strip club.
Pub. 1664 building which used to be the weights house.
Tourist information - in a 1670 building
We tried changing more money, but the rates were really shitty so we changed just enough till we got to Tallinn.
"Probably the best rate in the world" - Bullshit. Just look at their spreads. On the upside, they accept pre-Euro European money.
Sex sells bad rates
Unfortunately, with the exception of the castle, all the good attractions in Saaremaa like the Kaali craters (some of the most accessible meteorite craters in the world), seal habitats and beaches needed a car, but then we arrived there around noon anyway, so.
Perrier shrub
We checked into our hotel which was actually a hospitality school (they had a hostel next door too, but it was only open from late June). This being part of New Europe, the lift was American style, with the floors going from 1-3 (and not G-2 or 0-2).
In the room, I nursed the huge blister I had gotten on my toe ever since the Curonian Spit.
After a short rest we set out again.
19th century Lutheran Church.
Monument to
There was a promising-sounding 18th century Orthodox Church. Unfortunately it was under heavy restoration:
Faded Fresco (?)
We then made our way to the 14th century Bishop's castle, probably the best in the Baltics (and certainly the best we saw).
Path
Moat
Ekesparre Residents Hotel. A place for rich folks to stay.
Entrance. I liked the fact that it was through a wall of turf.
Tunnel
Keep
Cannon Tower. 15-16th century.
There was a weapons exhibition inside:
Russian 89-mm mine thrower, 1916-7. This was interesting because I thought the shock of impact would spoil or trigger the mine.
The hotel
Side of the turf wall facing the keep
Bridge
Hotel
Sloping wall
Ducks
Facial piercings on women in the Baltics are more common than in the rest of the world I've been to.
