Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Back from Saaremaa

Arrived back in Tallinn yesterday afternoon from the island of Saaremaa. Had a great time and Maree caught up with another cousin.
We stayed in a guest house recommended by Maree's cousin in the US. The hosts were unbelievable and fed us true Estonian cuisine - marinated fish, fish soup etc. Even supplied some home brew beer which was great and local Saaremaa vodka at 80% proof - rocket fuel !!!
We visited the beach area where Maree's mum was captured by the Germans as she tried to escape by boat to Sweden and also visited the port where she was deported to Germany. There are many memorials to the battles between the Germans and Soviets.
We were fortunate to locate some old girlfriends of Maree's mum and visited the location where Maree's mum lived - just a vacant block now.
The hosts took us sailing to an island off Saaremaa one day where many people have holiday shacks. Also visited a new traditional home being built out of logs for a Tallinn-based multi millionaire - there was nothing spared in this luxurious house. Also visited a factory where wooden boats are built and repaired in the traditional way.
Not sure when we head to Finland as Maree is arranging more catch ups with relatives here in Tallinn.

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