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beelikejOkay, this took a little longer than I had planned, but this weekend I finally returned to sorting out photos from my summervacation:) I have been distracted by work projects and moderating the SPN_RB. Of course I'm also participating in that fandom challenge. If you missed it; I already posted my first Reverse_Bang art of this year:) There will be another collaboration presentation at the end of the month! But first a travel picspam; join me on my fifth day of the cruise:
Thursday August 24: Tallinn, Estonia
The ship arrived in Tallinn harbour during breakfast, I found a lovely spot at the rear deck; we were parking in backwards and these guys on the bicycles waaaaaaaaaay down below are here to guide us \o/
I have a great view on the whole procedure, such fun, look at these tiny men :-)
I also have a great view of the old part of Tallinn before I get off the ship for my cycling excursion.
Here I'm still quite happy with the bicycle I grabbed, even though it has handbreaks which I'm not used too. It's a good thing I don't have to wear a helmet, that would have been even more annoying;)
Anyway, after a couple of minutes of riding, I wasn't very pleased with my bike anymore, because the saddle kept slowly sliding down, causing me to end up cycling like a toddler on a big bike. DON'T GIGGLE, IT WASN'T FUNNY. *pouts*
Thankfully Tallinn offered enough pretty to distract me from my woe.
Kadriorg Palace (1725) is a Petrine Baroque palace built for Catherine I of Russia by Peter the Great. It has a lovely garden behind it, with this naked Neptune dude (click for a closer look;)
See? So pretty. And there were more fun waterfeatures, yay.
We took a quick toiletbreak at the KUMU artmuseum; I didn't go in, but took pictures of these letters spelling ART in Dutch, which is also Estionian, heheheh.
The President's Residence is a lovely pink! (And how cool is it that we can get this close with our bicycles?)
We cycle back towards town through the park and stop at the seaside for a magnificent view of the Gulf of Finland. You can see our massive cruise ship in the distance!
The Russalka Memorial is a bronze angel facing the sea horizon (Amandus Adamson, 1902), commemorating the sinking of the navy vessel Russalka in 1893.
The Broken Line Monument on the Suur Rannavärav bastion is in memory of the Estonia ferry that sank in 1994 (Villu Jaanisoo).
At the entrance of the old town stands 16th-century cannon tower Paks Margareeta (Fat Margaret). Next to it is the city gate. I'm in awe that this is all still standing!
We cycle past/in between the old city walls which has many watch towers. We stop at the north side of the lower town to take a good look.
Shortly after that we arrive at Raekoja plats, the town square beside Tallinn Town Hall. This has been the market place since the Middle Ages and it became the center of the Lower Town at the start of the 14th century.
Tallinna raekoda is the Estonian name of Town Hall; look at that awesome dragon!
Our little cycle group was let loose here for about 30 minutes which I spent doing a quick stroll through the tiny streets before grabbing some souvenirs and cards;)
Loved this restaurant!
Top of the Niguliste Kirik (St. Nicholas Church, 13th century) and a funky memorial plate (by Jaak Soans, 1982) on the wall of Rataskaevu 22, which was the house of artist Michel Sitto (1469-1525)
An Estonian manhole cover! And back at Raekoja plats, a close up of nr. 18.
Back on the bicycle I snap a quick shot of the buildings behind me (Püha Nikolai Imetegija kirik
the Orthodox Church for Saint Nicholas) as we cycle back from the Lower Town to the ship. I've not seen all the sights on my list yet, so when we get back to the harbour I decide to hop on the shuttle bus to go back into town and get to the Upper part of Tallinn. I take a couple of awesome photos of the ship while waiting for the driver to arrive:)
Hey look, blue skies and sunshine, making the city wall and guard towers look more fairytaly \o/
I'm not quite sure if I'm walking in the right direction, so I take photos of streetsigns and all the corners of streets to be able to find my way back later.
I have about an hour to get to Upper Town and back; while I'm looking for the one road that goes through the city wall, I can only take quick peeks at the gorgeous buildings I walk by in the Lower Town. (the back of Town Hall and Piiskopi Maja (Bishop's House)
Love this old door on the corner of Kuninga Street and the view through Nõelasilma Gate; I thought I saw the bulby tower of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral I was looking for, but it wasn't. (It's the Toomkirik (St Mary's Cathedral) in the distance. I have a feeling I am getting lost...
Feeling confirmed; I arrive at this huge square that's outside of my map. Where am I? I can't find any information on this yellow church. You'd think it would have a name, but no. I'm officially lost and the clock is ticking...
(It's only now that I'm at home with internet that I've been able to find out where I was. This is Vabaduse väljak (Freedom Square) and the Janni kirik (St. John's Church, 1867)
So I turn back the way I came from, past these huge pigeons and decide to follow the city wall to hopefully find my way through to the Upper Town.
Even though I only have 35 minutes left I can't help stopping to take pictures of the pretty. I wish I had more time here (that's clearly a returning theme on this cruise;). *sighs*
Gosh, the colour of these glass covers is gorgeous.
Hey, is this... could this be it? It doesn't show on the photo that well, but this alley is very fucking steep. This must be the way up!
OOooh, cool boot! No. Can not be distracted from my goal: the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (design by Mikhail Preobrazhensky, 19th century) I made it to the top of Upper Tallinn, yay!
As a reward the sky is the bluest blue and the sun shines on yet another glorious part of the city wall. Look how gorgeous this cathedral is with all the gold details.
I barely have time to walk all the way around it though, I have twenty minutes to get back to the shuttle bus.
Hahaha, how am I supposed to hurry when I'm surrounded by all these beautiful buildings. This is Pikk (I know, I know, it means Long Street;) where the medieval merchants did their business.
Look at this gorgeous Art Deco façade at nr. 18, design by architect Jacques Rosenbaumi in 1910, it now houses the Draakoni kunstigalerii (Dragon Artgalery:) It's next to really old building at nr. 20: the Kanuti Gildi Hoone (St Canute's Guildhall for finer craftsmen from 1326 -1920!) which is topped with statues of St. Canute and Martin Luther.
At Pikk nr. 26 is the entrance of Mustpeade Maja (The Brotherhood of the Black Heads), the guild of single German men. This building was built in 1440 and housed the merchants club for 500 years!
That adorable tiny tower is Vene õigeusu kabel, a little Russian Orthodox Chapel.
BUT NOW I REALLY HAVE TO RUN!
Made it! Time on the clock: exactly 15:00 \o/ I'm too tired for a victory dance; so happy to made the bus, I don't know if I could have walked to the harbour (and make it back in time for the ship's departure deadline!)
Hello ship, never been so glad to see you;)
One last look at Tallinn. I will definitely return to take more time for exploring. Did you know the whole town is a World Heritage property? Well worth a longer visit.
Aboard the ship, I go to my cabin to dump my souvenirs and freshen up before going to the rear deck to wave goodbye to Estonia.
Once again I get a little emotional when Time to Say Goodbye starts playing and the seagulls float around the ship while the land disappears in the distance. *sniffles*
I settle on the rear deck with a book and a hoodie)
After enjoying the view and the shenanigans of the pilot ship, it gets too chilly to sit outside, so I go back to my cabin to read some more until dinner.
After dinner I take a little stroll along the side deck before I retreat to my cabin. The staff takes such good care of things, look how cozy they make my bed. <3
I already told you about the blue light right outside my window, right? Right before bedtime I see a light in the distance; I so love being at sea.
Good night!
Part 1: Exploring the Ship | Part 2: FOOD! | Part 3: Cycling in Helsinki
Part 4: Art & History in St. Petersburg | Part 6: On my own in Copenhagen, Danmark
P.S. Did you already leave your address for a card and a treat?
Thursday August 24: Tallinn, Estonia
The ship arrived in Tallinn harbour during breakfast, I found a lovely spot at the rear deck; we were parking in backwards and these guys on the bicycles waaaaaaaaaay down below are here to guide us \o/
I have a great view on the whole procedure, such fun, look at these tiny men :-)
I also have a great view of the old part of Tallinn before I get off the ship for my cycling excursion.
Here I'm still quite happy with the bicycle I grabbed, even though it has handbreaks which I'm not used too. It's a good thing I don't have to wear a helmet, that would have been even more annoying;)
Anyway, after a couple of minutes of riding, I wasn't very pleased with my bike anymore, because the saddle kept slowly sliding down, causing me to end up cycling like a toddler on a big bike. DON'T GIGGLE, IT WASN'T FUNNY. *pouts*
Thankfully Tallinn offered enough pretty to distract me from my woe.
Kadriorg Palace (1725) is a Petrine Baroque palace built for Catherine I of Russia by Peter the Great. It has a lovely garden behind it, with this naked Neptune dude (click for a closer look;)
See? So pretty. And there were more fun waterfeatures, yay.
We took a quick toiletbreak at the KUMU artmuseum; I didn't go in, but took pictures of these letters spelling ART in Dutch, which is also Estionian, heheheh.
The President's Residence is a lovely pink! (And how cool is it that we can get this close with our bicycles?)
We cycle back towards town through the park and stop at the seaside for a magnificent view of the Gulf of Finland. You can see our massive cruise ship in the distance!
The Russalka Memorial is a bronze angel facing the sea horizon (Amandus Adamson, 1902), commemorating the sinking of the navy vessel Russalka in 1893.
The Broken Line Monument on the Suur Rannavärav bastion is in memory of the Estonia ferry that sank in 1994 (Villu Jaanisoo).
At the entrance of the old town stands 16th-century cannon tower Paks Margareeta (Fat Margaret). Next to it is the city gate. I'm in awe that this is all still standing!
We cycle past/in between the old city walls which has many watch towers. We stop at the north side of the lower town to take a good look.
Shortly after that we arrive at Raekoja plats, the town square beside Tallinn Town Hall. This has been the market place since the Middle Ages and it became the center of the Lower Town at the start of the 14th century.
Tallinna raekoda is the Estonian name of Town Hall; look at that awesome dragon!
Our little cycle group was let loose here for about 30 minutes which I spent doing a quick stroll through the tiny streets before grabbing some souvenirs and cards;)
Loved this restaurant!
Top of the Niguliste Kirik (St. Nicholas Church, 13th century) and a funky memorial plate (by Jaak Soans, 1982) on the wall of Rataskaevu 22, which was the house of artist Michel Sitto (1469-1525)
An Estonian manhole cover! And back at Raekoja plats, a close up of nr. 18.
Back on the bicycle I snap a quick shot of the buildings behind me (Püha Nikolai Imetegija kirik
the Orthodox Church for Saint Nicholas) as we cycle back from the Lower Town to the ship. I've not seen all the sights on my list yet, so when we get back to the harbour I decide to hop on the shuttle bus to go back into town and get to the Upper part of Tallinn. I take a couple of awesome photos of the ship while waiting for the driver to arrive:)
Hey look, blue skies and sunshine, making the city wall and guard towers look more fairytaly \o/
I'm not quite sure if I'm walking in the right direction, so I take photos of streetsigns and all the corners of streets to be able to find my way back later.
I have about an hour to get to Upper Town and back; while I'm looking for the one road that goes through the city wall, I can only take quick peeks at the gorgeous buildings I walk by in the Lower Town. (the back of Town Hall and Piiskopi Maja (Bishop's House)
Love this old door on the corner of Kuninga Street and the view through Nõelasilma Gate; I thought I saw the bulby tower of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral I was looking for, but it wasn't. (It's the Toomkirik (St Mary's Cathedral) in the distance. I have a feeling I am getting lost...
Feeling confirmed; I arrive at this huge square that's outside of my map. Where am I? I can't find any information on this yellow church. You'd think it would have a name, but no. I'm officially lost and the clock is ticking...
(It's only now that I'm at home with internet that I've been able to find out where I was. This is Vabaduse väljak (Freedom Square) and the Janni kirik (St. John's Church, 1867)
So I turn back the way I came from, past these huge pigeons and decide to follow the city wall to hopefully find my way through to the Upper Town.
Even though I only have 35 minutes left I can't help stopping to take pictures of the pretty. I wish I had more time here (that's clearly a returning theme on this cruise;). *sighs*
Gosh, the colour of these glass covers is gorgeous.
Hey, is this... could this be it? It doesn't show on the photo that well, but this alley is very fucking steep. This must be the way up!
OOooh, cool boot! No. Can not be distracted from my goal: the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (design by Mikhail Preobrazhensky, 19th century) I made it to the top of Upper Tallinn, yay!
As a reward the sky is the bluest blue and the sun shines on yet another glorious part of the city wall. Look how gorgeous this cathedral is with all the gold details.
I barely have time to walk all the way around it though, I have twenty minutes to get back to the shuttle bus.
Hahaha, how am I supposed to hurry when I'm surrounded by all these beautiful buildings. This is Pikk (I know, I know, it means Long Street;) where the medieval merchants did their business.
Look at this gorgeous Art Deco façade at nr. 18, design by architect Jacques Rosenbaumi in 1910, it now houses the Draakoni kunstigalerii (Dragon Artgalery:) It's next to really old building at nr. 20: the Kanuti Gildi Hoone (St Canute's Guildhall for finer craftsmen from 1326 -1920!) which is topped with statues of St. Canute and Martin Luther.
At Pikk nr. 26 is the entrance of Mustpeade Maja (The Brotherhood of the Black Heads), the guild of single German men. This building was built in 1440 and housed the merchants club for 500 years!
That adorable tiny tower is Vene õigeusu kabel, a little Russian Orthodox Chapel.
BUT NOW I REALLY HAVE TO RUN!
Made it! Time on the clock: exactly 15:00 \o/ I'm too tired for a victory dance; so happy to made the bus, I don't know if I could have walked to the harbour (and make it back in time for the ship's departure deadline!)
Hello ship, never been so glad to see you;)
One last look at Tallinn. I will definitely return to take more time for exploring. Did you know the whole town is a World Heritage property? Well worth a longer visit.
Aboard the ship, I go to my cabin to dump my souvenirs and freshen up before going to the rear deck to wave goodbye to Estonia.
Once again I get a little emotional when Time to Say Goodbye starts playing and the seagulls float around the ship while the land disappears in the distance. *sniffles*
I settle on the rear deck with a book and a hoodie)
After enjoying the view and the shenanigans of the pilot ship, it gets too chilly to sit outside, so I go back to my cabin to read some more until dinner.
After dinner I take a little stroll along the side deck before I retreat to my cabin. The staff takes such good care of things, look how cozy they make my bed. <3
I already told you about the blue light right outside my window, right? Right before bedtime I see a light in the distance; I so love being at sea.
Good night!
Part 1: Exploring the Ship | Part 2: FOOD! | Part 3: Cycling in Helsinki
Part 4: Art & History in St. Petersburg | Part 6: On my own in Copenhagen, Danmark
P.S. Did you already leave your address for a card and a treat?