Waking up in Helsinki would take some getting used to in my book. The sun going down at midnight was crazy enough but when I was woken up to the sun rising again at 4am, I’d never sleep. Luckily I’m a resilient bugger and nodded off back to sleep until my couch surfing hosts arose a few hours later.
With this my first ever couch surfing experience I learnt that there is a great deal of trust in the community. I was given a key to my hosts house the first day I met them so as to allow me to dump my backpack at their house and not leave it at the hostel. Now I was being left in their house as they went to work. I was responsible for locking up for the day which is something I’m paranoid about even when its my own house (or maybe I’m just paranoid) let alone someone else’s house.
Once my hosts had left for their respective jobs I packed my things and set off to get one final look at Helsinki before making for Estonia. At first I was excited to see Helsinki, explore with my own eyes and not through a tainted image someone else had painted for me. In the end though I didn’t love the place, but I didn’t hate it either. I think if I come back I’ll head north and really get to see what Finland is all about. After all I was unable to enjoy a sauna (a must for Finland), and that’s gotta be against the law to miss while here.
As my exploring came to an end I wandered back to grab my trusty pack and make for my lunch time meet up with Jonas before I had to catch the ferry. Having our final chat and thanking him time and time again for the hospitality I received I wished I could have stayed longer. Still such is the way of travelling, you make friends one day and say goodbye to them the next.
Delighted by the fact my meeting point with Jonas was near the ferry terminal I left him and escaped into the cool of the departure area and waited for my 4 hour trip to Tallinn. The ferry was a much smaller version of what shipped me over from Stockholm, and it appeared to cause panic in the people around me. Feeling like I was back in 5th grade where everybody tries to rush through the door at the same time, it was like they were going to miss out on a seat and get left behind if you were last aboard.
All I was concerned about was a power outlet so I could relax and watch a movie on my mac. Still unsure why there was a rush to get on-board I found a seat with a power outlet (bonus) easily. The ultimate score for this ferry ride was finding they offered free wifi, forget the movie I was onto twitter and facebook for the next 4 hours.
Having internet also makes the time pass rather quickly as before long I was standing in Estonia and on the hunt for my hostel. Now as any of you would be aware if you read this stuff I call my blog I have a terrible habit of getting lost finding my hostel. Not this time though, I did my research on the ferry and didn’t make one wrong turn the entire way there (yes I was proud of my efforts).
Its from here where my memory gets foggy and for good reason I must say. Checking into the hostel and getting comfy in the common area I quickly made friends with a friendly chap from Switzerland who was keen on sampling the nightlife here in Tallinn.
Not one to turn down the offer of a drinking buddy we saddled up and headed into Old Town for some food and a drink or 10. Our first stop of all places was an Aussie owned bar were we warmed up the soul with a hearty drinking session. This then lead to an appearance at the nightclub around the corner. Unfortunately with a name like Hollywood I should have known it was going to be bad and saved a few bucks but you know, you pray it’s going to work out well.
I don’t remember the time we staggered out of there but I do remember that we were never going back to that club, at least I think I remember thinking that….
Hmm I’d like to hear more about this hearty drinking session, or do you not remember any of it?
Ayngelina, the drinking consisted of large quantities of beer and much talk of travel if I remember correctly. There was dancing towards the end but just lots and lots of beer really.
Ha pleased to see I am not the only visitor to Tallinn who somehow found themselves in Hollywood (http://40before30challenge.blogspot.com/2010/06/not-after-dark-in-tallinn.html). It must be an Tallinn rite of passage – well that’s the excuse I am going with anyway. At least you weren’t there with your boss – *SHAME-FACED CRINGE*
Yes I only made one visit to Hollywood while I was there. Did stop off at Nimeta Bar a couple of times more than I wanted to however.
haha I can’t imagine hitting up Hollywood with your boss though, damn I can’t imagine going to any nightclubs with my boss 🙂
You Aussies and your beer!
C’mon Andi don’t tell me after all your time in OZ you don’t mind a beer too.
Awesome, Estonia looks like a fantastic place. Going by cruise ship seems a really good idea too! Did you get to sample the night life?
Cheers
Phil
Estonia is really wonderful… When i first set foot to the amazing place I had a feeling of extending my stay there but of course we are following an itinerary and we have to stick with it or else so things will be sacrificed and that will be sad.