After crossing the Russian boarder we needed to celebrate

This morning we left St Petersburg in the bus headed for Estonia. When we were two miles from the boarder, the bus was stopped and a Russian border guard got on the bus and checked everyone's passport. As we approached the boarder a bit closer we were again boarded by another border guard and again showed our passports.  At the boarder we all excited the bus with our carry on luggage and individually went through immigration.  Here we all got an exit stamp In our passports on the page with the Russian visa.  After we were back on the bus and went about 100 yards another guard boarded the bus and checked that we all had the appropriate exit stamp on our visas.  I would show pictures, but no photography was allowed in the whole process and our guide had emphasized several times to answer all questions yes or no and not make jokes.

Estonia looks a lot like Ontario. Not many people live in the country.  Most are in Tallin which is the biggest city where we are staying tonight.  Tallin is a high tech center and also has a very old part of the city where we walked through and did some shopping this afternoon.  We are in a 'modern' hotel.  Our least favorite of the trip.  Small room with few amenities. We asked at the desk for two wash cloths and a few minutes later a worker came to our room with this

 

We had a good dinner in the old part of town with our new friends

 

 

The main course was pork, potatoes, sauerkraut and fresh picketed beets. The whole meal was good, but the best part was the bread and beer.  Great very dark bread which must have contained molasses.

Back to the hotel,  our shower is a bit cramped.  The glass wall swivels in and out.

 

A view on the square in the old town

 

During our dinner the sun was blinding me.  The sun never sets here.  

 

Betsy made friends with this guy on our walk

 

These girls in tutus were having a batchelorette party. The wedding is next week