Tallinn to Saka

Last week in Tallinn we toured the Bastion Tunnels, the once-secret defence system that runs under Toompea hill. Originally built in the late 1600s to ferry powder and soldiers, the tunnels found new life in the 20th century as a bomb shelter. Maree discovered her mobile phone missing after the tunnels tour and although retracing our steps to various shops and a cafe we did not find it. After losing her glasses in Singapore, this has not been a great start to the trip for Maree. We retreated to our favourite bar, Porgu ( which translates as "Hell" in English) and drowned our sorrows with some Saaremaa farmhouse ale called Pithla, a potent brew at 7.6% alcohol. That night we dined at a medieval-themed restaurant called Olde Hansa as it was one of the few places to have bear on the menu. Robert chose the bear and I had the elk fillet. The bear had a tough texture and it is hard to describe the taste but the elk was very tender and tasty. Earlier in the day we had elk soup for lunch at a cafe on the town square. The following day we went to a Govt office to arrange an Estonian ID card for Robert which will make it easier for him to travel around Europe. It was an interesting process and the card will be available on our return to Tallinn.

. Old town Tallinn

Former KGB headquarters with basement windows bricked up to muffle screams!!!

View from hotel room in Tallinn

Elk soup lunch in Old Town Tallinn

Town Square, Tallinn Old Town

Patarei Prison, Tallinn

Patarei Prison

Patarei Prison

Patarei Prison operating room