Dear Readers:
We boarded our cruise ship yesterday afternoon. It’s a Regent Seven Seas cruise; there are about 700 passengers and 3 times as many staff. The service is superb. We started with lunch which ran into a welcome cocktail party which ran into dinner! All of the wine and liquor is included! No comment about my traveling companions! In the evening we went to the show on board entitled “Lullably of Broadway” which were songs and dances from shows the 3 of us were all quite familiar with; we enjoyed it thoroughly.
This morning we docked in Tallinn, Estonia; what an experience. Who knew this poor country had been ransacked first by the Russians and then by the Germans. We spent most of the day in the old town, medieval buildings and cobblestones. Our poor feet! In the afternoon we went on an excursion from the ship entitled “A Tour of Estonia’s Communist Past”. It was led by a former dissident who had spent a year in a prison in Tallinn (more on that later) and 2 years in a Siberian concentration camp. Despite all this, he had a sunny disposition and told some funny jokes (although at times it was difficult to understand him).
He took us first to the Museum of Occupation. He told us that the Russians treated them so badly that when the Nazis arrived, it was seen as a blessing! We walked with him through the Old Town; saw the typical medieval town hall (very Italian looking); went to a gorgeous Russian Orthodox church called Alexander Nevesky Cathedral, etc.
Then he took us to the former Paterel prison. Gosh, it was awful; it was dark, dirty, scary; almost claustrophic; (Liz: you would not have been happy). It was pitch black except for the guide’s single flashlight. We were all glad to leave it.
We opted not to go to tonight’s show (a comedian) since we have to get up so early for tomorrow’s sightseeing in St. Petersburg which we reach first thing tomorrow morning.
More to follow. Keep those comments coming.
I just tried to send this with 3 photos attached. The length of time was much too long; I have eliminated the photos; sorry.
With love,
Your Roving Reporter
Irene
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