We were in Atlanta airport together but not flying together. She is off to New York to help Natasha move. And I am off to Europe to move the country counter to 70!

If you fly much, you must have noticed that long yellow line to the gate that the pilot follows and then there is an exact spot he/she stops the plane so it can align with the jetbridge. The spots are different for different planes. And the person below who ushers in the plane helps the pilot pinpoint the spot by moving his/her arms. (starts from two arms widespread and then slowly puts them together as the plane advances such that just as the plane reaches the spot, the two arms are together pointing upwards).

Today, I got a view of the different spots on the line. Guess how many types of equipments pull up to a gate? I would have guessed about 7-10. I counted nearly 30 of them marked on the ground!!

I was in my flight rolling towards the active runway. Looked up – across the airport perimeter, beyond the road, and far beyond the fields – hidden behind the trees … was a KLM airplane!!

I was wondering what those things in the middle of the ocean were. The low lying clouds made visibility a bit problematic. And as the clouds cleared out, I realized it was a bunch of windmills!

There are only 2 permanent inhabitants there, as I understand. And even, they moved in less than 25 years back…

First I thought it must be a busy cruise season. There is one cruise ship there and another leaving. I was wondering how crowded Tallinn would be with all the tourists. Later I learnt that the ship that you can see leaving is actually a 4 hour commuter ship to Helsinki. And the other one ferries to Stockholm.

The hotel is in old town Tallinn. As is typical with many European cities, it is all classic cobblestone all over.

In the distance you can see the Baltic Sea

To get an idea about the height, check out the people by the water… that is where I need to reach

It is essentially a very large farmers’ market!

It is chained to the structure. But as you can see, it has been there for some time. Not sure why?

After the bike, looks like it is the turn of a two wheeler. Still not sure why it is locked up and kept up there …Clearly, it does not work any more.

While walking back to the hotel, I thought I went past a door where the nose distinctly detected some Indian cooking. Looked up and it said “Elevant”. Was wondering what that word might mean in Estonian. Perhaps for Levant? Maybe some kind of Mediterranean restaurant?

Curious, went in and went up the stairs. What do you know? It was an Indian restaurant! “Elevant” means an elephant in Estonian. Of course!!

So much so the better. Had a hearty Indian dinner after all that walk…

The idea is to hit the northwest and the west part of the country. We will go along the Baltic Sea and stop at a few places.

This is right next to the building that used to house the KGB operations – which has been turned into a museum. The gate itself was built much after the wall was built to give a quick connection to the railway line.

Our first stop is to check out the cliffs here. What is not apparent from the picture – because of the thick undergrowth – is that a couple of more steps and you will fall 100 feet vertically into the ocean.

We kept going around the Baltic Sea in a counterclockwise fashion and came up to this waterfall. Estonia, as a country – especially the north – is flat as a pancake. Not much of hills or mountains. Thus, most of the waterfalls are short in height but fairly wide – usually where the sandstone and limestone rocks have sunk down.

Newlyweds come here and put a lock (with their names on it) on one of the multiple structures around here. Then they throw the key in the waterfall. The belief is this would mean they will be happily married for life. Mati – my guide – told me that 50% of Estonian marriages breakup within 2 years of wedding. That 2 years part shocked me.

with its standard three barred cross and five domes.

This is beyond Paldiski. It is not apparent that there is sheer cliff right beyond. In fact, if you go hear the edge, you are most certainly standing on a piece of land jutting out in the air – and of course, very dangerous.

You can see the drop from here.

We were a few feet away from that hole. And thru that hole, if you carefully observe, you can see all the way to the bottom into the water. Apparently, last season, this hole was not here. And after this winter, as the snow softens the ground and ice starts expanding, that piece of land is going to fall down to the very bottom!!

Over 700 years old!!

The famous prison of Murru Vangla. There were three prisons inside that complex. They were built specifically here next to the quarry to keep the prisoners busy.

This is the original place I wanted to come to. The limestone quarry is stripped off the limestone and this is what remains. During the mining, big Soviet pumps were used to drain out the water. The story goes that when the Soviets retreated the valuable copper in the coils were stolen. The pumps stopped and the underground water soon filled up the hollows. Since this is water coming from the ground, it is very clear and cool.

Very interesting how wind and water has eroded what is left after limestone mining. Almost looks like sharp edges.

Because it was a mine, the drop in height is very quick. That building – that was used for prison and mining operations is actually four floors in height. Most if it is underwater!

This is all underground water – and not fed by rivers. Which is why it is so clear and cold.

It is a sauna heated by wood. I understand saunas are big in Estonia.

Check out how sharp the edges on the top are

Learnt a lot of history of the country from my friend Mati Remussen. He is a bit of a celebrity among the guides here. You can find his name in Rick Steves’ book!

Especially the phones and the lamps

Very innovatively designed lamp. Looks like a bird. This is in the lounge in Tallinn airport.