29th – Welcome home to Den… Sweden?!

The main goal today, before leaving in the afternoon, was to try and get a table at Rataskaevu 16. But as they didn’t open until noon I had a few hours to kill before that. As I potentially would be having a large lunch I chose for breakfast to just grab a glass of juice and a co... hold on – they have pancakes?!

Woops.

After checking out I left for the Kiek in de Kök museum, a restored cannon tower with exhibits showing the military history of Tallinn. While the name of the museum might result in a few snickers it doesn’t mean what it sounds like in English; instead, it’s low German, meaning “look into the kitchen”. The name was based on the complaints from people living around where the tower was built as they were worried that people now would be able to look unhindered into their kitchens (and other rooms).

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the square tower is Maiden's Tower (Neitsitorn) with the Danish garden on its right.

A model of the town from when it was still fully built. A lot of towers and large walls made it one of the best defended towns in the area. It was needed, though, as throughout most of history they were under attack from surrounding countries; Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Germany (or whatever they called themselves at the time) to name a few.

St. Nicholas' Church and St. Olaf's church can be seen in either end of the town.

From there I returned to Rataskaevu 16 where I arrived a few minutes before opening. After letting the hoards of people in I assumed had booked a table I went inside and asked if they had a table for a quick lunch, referring to yesterday’s conversation. He looked up and down the list of reservations and tables, and after a moment he was able to refer me to an available table – for 4! – which I would have without any time limit. Success! And probably a bit luckier than I was allowed to be. The lunch I had was baked goat’s cheese, elk ribs and chocolate cake. The cheese was a massive chunk on a bed of chopped vegetables (already a sign that the place was fancier than the previous two places I had been dining). I went for the elk ribs again because I wanted to compare a high-end elk rib with the elk-rib-chunk from yesterday. While I didn’t get nearly as much meat today it was off the bone and the two pieces could barely hold on to themselves due to their tenderness. Melted in my mouth. For dessert I asked to have a glass of port but my waitress recommended a black-current/chili liquor. “A sweet black-current with a small kick in the end”. I am glad it was just a “small kick” – considering the massive dropkick I received without warning I dare not think what a “big kick” would have been. I let my waitress know that it was good, I was glad I had it but I wasn’t too impressed. She seemed disappointed but brought the bill when I asked for it. Making sure I still had the table for some time I asked for a glass of port just to relax before leaving again. I don’t know if it was because she felt bad about the liquor but imagine a large glass of wine. But with port.

If you ever get the chance book a table here (preferably a few weeks in advance).

I cannot guarantee you get as much port as I, though.

After this lovely 2-hour lunch I had a small wander before returning to the tram and going back to the airport. Already checked in I flew through security and was soon sitting on the plane ready to go home. Halfway, after having been served food and drinks, the passengers were suddenly asked if there was a doctor among us. I was sitting in the front and all the action was going on halfway back in the plane so I couldn’t keep an eye on what was going on. Soon one of the cabin crew members rushed down to their secluded part of the cabin, and few moments later she came rushing back with an oxygen canister. At that moment we got hit by a bit of turbulence and the vibrating made everything on the tables start sliding off. I held on to it until the turbulence stopped, but to my surprise things were still sliding when I let go of them again. At that moment the captain notified us that we had been diverted to Stockholm and we were landing now. (a later check of the flight path showed that instead of the normal almost half hour to descend and land it took just short of 15 minutes). After a very quick landing we parked a bit away and were met by medical personnel. They checked up on the passenger, an ambulance showed up and after some time the passenger was escorted out – he could walk by himself, luckily – and was ferried away in the ambulance. After some wait the captain was finally informed of further plans; we were to deplane and take the arriving bus to the terminal and from there let the transfer desk divert us.

My meals going to Tallinn and back.

Arriving at the main building a bit of chaos broke out as it said nowhere where the desk was, but after some shuffling around the entire group of passengers stampeded as one through half the terminal before arriving and occupying the transfer desk and surrounding area. They did seem to have been warned of us, as short moment later they let us know that anyone terminating in Copenhagen could grab a plane leaving in 45 minutes 50 meters away. This made 41 people rush there resulting in some nervous looks from those already waiting to board, got new boarding cards, boarded and finally made it back to Copenhagen in one piece. I was happy that I only had my carry-on on this trip.

2½ hours late I finally arrived home, in one piece and a new city wiser. Tallinn is a wonderful town – if you stay in the old part. I spent 2 nights there and felt that I had seen it all. If you are the kind of person who enjoys museums you might be able to spend another day there, but to me that is reaching the limit. If you have an extended weekend and can find a cheap flight you have the perfect conditions to visit.

Full album can be found here.