Day 264 Fri 6 Jul 2007 Tallin, Estonia to Helsinki, Finland

After catching up with laundry and internet matters (the apartment has both a washing machine and broadband – we could easily live here) we explore the old town. It’s blustery and showery and quite cold for a change so our exploring is mostly confined to cafes and coffee shops including one in the 15C town hall cellar. There’s a medieval fair in the market square with people in costume selling everything from smoked cheeses and elk salami to Estonian hats and blankets.
We have the inspired idea of spending the night on the ferry to Helsinki and board it in late afternoon. Although the voyage across the Gulf of Finland is only 3½ hrs, you can sleep aboard and disembark at 7am which sounds a good idea to us, particularly as the deal includes dinner which turns out to be excellent, especially if you like herring. The boat has a bit of a party atmosphere with lots of bands, possibly a reflection of the ongoing beer festival in Tallin.