Estonian border, the last one we had to cross to get our passports, all good!
30th -31st May
We left Marcis and Daina's about 9.00am, another nice day, and headed up through Riga, and into Tuja, on the coast, where there was an old factory left over from the days of Russian occupation. Marcis had told us about it, it was derelict now, and there wasn't much else there. Further up the coast we stopped at Salacgriva, a port town on the baltic sea, for a coffee, it was very quiet. There was hardly any traffic, and the road was quite good. The border came up quick, and we fuelled up, petrol prices about the same as Latvia, around 1.10 euro. After Parnu we got off the main road onto back roads and headed towards Virtsu, where we would catch the ferry across to Saaremaa Island. Along the back road there is a stretch of bitumen that is twice as wide as the normal road, and dead straight for a couple of kilometres, and has been cleared along both sides in the past. Apparently it was an emergency runway from the russian days. We stopped for lunch at a cafe in the middle of nowhere, really cheap, and good food. On our arrival at the ferry, miss cranky pants gave us our tickets, (12.80 euro for both of us), and we rode straight on, they closed the ramp, and half an hour later we were there. There is no need to book on this ferry, they run all the time.
We left Marcis and Daina's about 9.00am, another nice day, and headed up through Riga, and into Tuja, on the coast, where there was an old factory left over from the days of Russian occupation. Marcis had told us about it, it was derelict now, and there wasn't much else there. Further up the coast we stopped at Salacgriva, a port town on the baltic sea, for a coffee, it was very quiet. There was hardly any traffic, and the road was quite good. The border came up quick, and we fuelled up, petrol prices about the same as Latvia, around 1.10 euro. After Parnu we got off the main road onto back roads and headed towards Virtsu, where we would catch the ferry across to Saaremaa Island. Along the back road there is a stretch of bitumen that is twice as wide as the normal road, and dead straight for a couple of kilometres, and has been cleared along both sides in the past. Apparently it was an emergency runway from the russian days. We stopped for lunch at a cafe in the middle of nowhere, really cheap, and good food. On our arrival at the ferry, miss cranky pants gave us our tickets, (12.80 euro for both of us), and we rode straight on, they closed the ramp, and half an hour later we were there. There is no need to book on this ferry, they run all the time.
Yes, that sign does say kangaroos! We had to turn around and go back for a second look. Found out later that there is an ostrich farm there, and the guy that owns it has a mini zoo, and has couple of kangaroos there as well. From there we rode on to Kuressaare, and met up with Erki, a member of the Osel M.C., and a friend of Marcis. We had been invited to stay in their club house for a couple of nights, it was during the week, and we would be alone there. That suited us, as we done about 400 kms that day, a fair bit for europe on our bikes. A walk across the road to the supermarket got us some drinks and dinner, food cost us around 4.00 euro.
Inside the Osel M.C. clubhouse, our home for a couple of nights.
The next day Erki and his friend Roland met us at the clubhouse, and took us for a tour of the island, thanks guys, we really enjoyed it. The weather gods were still smiling on us, blue skies, and a warm light breeze. A few drinks at Erki's house after that topped off a great day.
Roland, Erki and I at Erki's place.
1st-3rd June
Packing up the next morning, Erki called around and told us that the local paper wanted to do an interview with us, a bit of a surprise, we are starting to become celebrities in the Baltic states! We spoke to a few people later that told us we had been talked about on the radio as well, although we didn't hear it, and have no idea what was said. The weather was still good, so a nice ride for the 75 kms back to the ferry, then north on good minor roads to Tallinn, via Paldiski. Apparently Paldiski used to be a submarine base when Estonia was ruled by Russia, but that has all been dismantled now, and there is nothing left. We had a great meal at the tavern there, and used the wifi to sort out a few things, it was a good place to stop. From there it was only a short ride to Kalle and Janc's house in Tallinn, where we were staying for a few days until our passports arrived back from Oz. My bike started boiling when I pulled up, so with Janc's help, I got a new radiator cap, hopefully that will solve the problem. Kalle took us up to the Estonian Touring Motorcycle Club, ( both he and Janc are members), so we had a chat with them, good people, and an interesting night.
Packing up the next morning, Erki called around and told us that the local paper wanted to do an interview with us, a bit of a surprise, we are starting to become celebrities in the Baltic states! We spoke to a few people later that told us we had been talked about on the radio as well, although we didn't hear it, and have no idea what was said. The weather was still good, so a nice ride for the 75 kms back to the ferry, then north on good minor roads to Tallinn, via Paldiski. Apparently Paldiski used to be a submarine base when Estonia was ruled by Russia, but that has all been dismantled now, and there is nothing left. We had a great meal at the tavern there, and used the wifi to sort out a few things, it was a good place to stop. From there it was only a short ride to Kalle and Janc's house in Tallinn, where we were staying for a few days until our passports arrived back from Oz. My bike started boiling when I pulled up, so with Janc's help, I got a new radiator cap, hopefully that will solve the problem. Kalle took us up to the Estonian Touring Motorcycle Club, ( both he and Janc are members), so we had a chat with them, good people, and an interesting night.
With some of the members of the Estonian Motorcycle Touring Club
Our passports arrived the next day with our Russian visas in them, so really happy now we had them back in our possession. We did a walking tour of Tallinn, very good, as usual, we learn a lot on these tours. As well as the walking tour, we also visited the Seaplane hangar and museum, well worth the visit. They have a submarine on display you can go through, as well as various other boats, really well done. Kalle and Janc are tied up this weekend with a rider training course run by their club, so we said goodbye to them on the friday morning, we leave saturday morning, but they won't be home by them, bad timing on our part. They have been great hosts, a shame we couldn't spend more time with them. We had a change of plan as we have heard from Jeff who we are meeting in Moscow, so have decided to catch the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki, ride up to Mikkeli, than down to St. Petersburg across the corner of Finland. We have a good weather window at the moment, so really want to make the most of it.
The Russian Orthodox church in Tallinn.
Me with a memorial to Boris.
With Kaille and the kids outside his shed, check out the globe!
Lyn and I with Janc, the day before we left Tallinn.
Forward torpedo room on the submarine in the museum
On a patrol boat outside the museum
Estonia has been really good, we both enjoyed it all, nice country, good people, and biker friendly. Tallinn is big enough to have everything, but not as big as the Australian capitals we are used to. Tomorrow we are off to Finland.......