Staying once again in a lively small hotel in the old town. Riga is not quite as cutsie as Tallinn but is old and has an interesting story to tell. We went to 3 churches and 4 museums today. All quite small and manageable! Not trying to do the Louvre and Notre Dame. One told of the history of occupations- not jobs but who has taken over! Very sad for them. It’s like they have never been able to do their own thing. As they are on the Baltic- like Estonia they were wanted by the powers. Enough history.
We walked and I observed that the museum guards were all “older”women. I hope they are paid but if not then they have a dry quiet time where they can read, knit, snooze, follow you around and generally waste time!
Last night we walked around the quiet streets- this is off season  so not heaps of tourists. We found a nice Latvian restaurant and promised  ourselves not to drink vodka- for a change. So what did we do? After the wine we thought we should try the local drink called Balsam. Enquiring what it was from the waitress she told us all the locals do in fact drink it to ward off the colds. Good enough for us we say and so 2 small glasses appear. Well it was a cross between cough syrup and a reay bad ?/$!’kh.


This afternoon I lost my new red beanie bought in Tallinn. It’s so hard juggling coat, scarf, hat, gloves, bag, umbrella, camera! I managed to drop it somewhere but no worries the street markets were on and I now have a dusty pink beret.
We also went to the Museum of Decorative Arts. They had a special exhibition of clothes in the art deco style from Europe and America. It was divine. I haven’t seen the Valentino show at Goma yet, but this was good. Reminds me – who wants to see Valentino when I get back? There is an uplate on Nov 12 .
Tonight is the big night. We are meeting Merkus to hand over Irma. Will let u know tomorrow how it goes. It seems we will be alone again.
Tomorrow we leave for Vilnius.

en

Today we had our last breakfast in the lovely breakfast room and we’ll be catching the 10am bus to Riga. It’s a little overcast today and when we stick our heads out the door will get a blast of the chill air.

Riga in Latvia will be interesting. Mostly because we will be handing Irma over to Merkus! Yes Steve has had his old school friend John’s mother Irma in his bag. She died over a year ago and John had been wanting to go to Riga to scatter her ashes – so Steve kindly offered to bring her with us. She has been in his bag just waiting handover. Stranger thnings have happened but I don’t know what they are! I’m sure Irma has enjoyed her trip and now willl be meeting relatives in Riga.

Impressions of Tallinn: Yesterday we went to the Estonian town Museum – and it showed clearly how the Estonians feel about being occupied by the Russians for so many years. It must have been so hard during those years – and they show have no love for the Russians. We also went to the outdoor museum – a kind of Estonian Old Sydney Town. It was in a beautiful forest and had the original farms set up and great explanantions of life as a farming Estonian. We visited th little school and show some kids on excursion. Naturally I had a chat to the teacher and told them where I was from in Australia. The kids were interested but had little English.

well off to Riga.
Hi Bertie ´how is little Cleo coming along? and your final assignments?
Love to all Fran

Hello
thanks for your comments. It’s lovely to hear news from home. The pace has changed in this lovely little city- pop400,000. It’s easier in a small city and with the girls gone we have slowed down. At the moment we are having a pre dinner vodka watching TV in our suite. Last night we had an Estonian meal and it was delicious. Beetroot soup for me followed by fish and pickles for Steve followed by pork – a HUGE bone covered in delicious meat . Too much but delicious .
We did the tourist bus this morning after b/fast in the lovely dining room. Easy pace and we got to k ow the new as well as the old city. You can sense how hPpy the people are now they are not occupied by Russia. There is another SuMmer
Palace here that Peter the Great built for Catherine lucky girl. It is pink and has beautiful gardens around it.
Steve headed off to yet another Maritime museum and I took in the Art Gallery which had an interesting photographic exhibition showing life in Estonia over the years.
HIGHLIGHT: dinner last night . Yum

Jill – we were talking about your market trip coming up . You will love it. There are street markets here selling all sorts if knitted gear, linen toys etc. It’s cold today so be warned- layers cos it’s always hot inside. Also learn to like vodka and mulled wine.
Bye for now
Fran x

Hello from Estonia – Tallinn.
We came by bus : leaving St Petersburg at 7. We were dropped at a dark bus stop – no signs no one spoke English around the place so we just hoped the bus would arrive. It did and we got on but not seated together. We got to the Russian border. It was like queuing to get out of theconcentration camp. All off the bus with all belongings. No smiles , filthy toilets and grump with a big stamp! Back on the bus and then another stop to get stamped into Estonia! Two hours getting out then into the nextcountry. For all that ……….
We did love Russia. It’s big grand amazing sights but food was hard to find – good quality and I don’t think they do service very well.
Tallinn is quaint, clean , friendly tourist ready and we were given a suite T the hotel! We LOVE this place! Sitting in my fluffy gown typing this on th iPhone! Next big problem – which of the restaurants will we choose.
Tomorrow lots of site seeing using our Tallin card. Great value at 40. Aus $ each . All entries to lots if museums, walking tours, guided gallery tours, the round town tour bus, us lots more. We won’t have to keep dipping into our wallets looking for money.
Hope to download some More photos.

Hi to all the readers!

Today we lose Pip. Very sad. We just had a little walk now the girls are checking out. We’re all a little heavy in the head! We finished last night with two vodkas ! Lovely at the time but all feeling heavy today!
Off for coffee now then the last of the sightseeing. St P is amazing .it has little canals like Venice but is prob more like Amsterdam. Good for walking.