We visited the KGB museum in Riga, located in the former KGB Building. Lenore is pictured emerging from the ancient lift in the building. They really did spy on (nearly) everyone!
After leaving Riga we checked out a Baltic beach resort. Gold Coast, you have nothing to worry about!
Tallinn is a busy tourist centre. Located a 2 hour ferry trip from Helsinki, the 2 way flow is constant. Many Finns come to shop, enjoying the lower prices in Estonia. (Beer is significantly cheaper.)
The people of the Baltic love flowers; many of which are flown in from Amsterdam, and sell at remarkably low prices. Tourists visiting the old town are entertained by dancers and musician displaying their cultural heritage.
Restaurant meals appeared to be quite reasonable. We had a beautiful rack of lamb! When we enquired we found the lamb was from NZ. I bought a pair of sox and found they were made from NZ merino wool!
In contrast when buying cheap pine DAR from Bunnings, I found it was sourced from Estonia!
The monument (far left) on the Baltic Sea, is popular with Russian speaking (Estonian) wedding parties.
There are many opportunities for tourists in the old town including taking a carriage ride.
We took a Viking Line ferry to Helsinki; large, efficient mass transport.
Estonian's are very proud of their folk music. This large out door music bowl is the site of a national competition every couple of years. In the later stages of the Soviet era, folk singing became a forum for nationalistic expression.
We also visited (another) palace and garden on the Baltic. Built by Peter 1 (the Great) as a summer home, before/as he started work on building St Petersburg!
With a history of being twice absorbed by Russia, you do not have to scratch very deep to expose the deep felt resentment and concern. Our guide said that feelings about Russia could be expressed in generation's memories; her grandmother speaks of fear, her mother of the queues and shortages, and herself, cheap ice cream and a lack of personal expression.
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