Estonia

Tallinn

A 15 hour long ferry ride greeted us at the Harbour in Stockholm, and we all agreed to it being the longest time spent at sea for all of us. This small bit of bad news was swiftly eased when once aboard, we unearthed three bars, a Casino and a nightclub open until sunrise (With Karaoke). Things were going to get interesting that’s for sure.


Leaving for Estonia, via the Baltic Sea was exciting, and the views were wonderful as we cruised thru the many doted islands in Sweden. But this was short lived as it was a night sailing, so we decided to stock up in Duty Free and have a few in our shoe box sized room, actually not enough to swing a mouse, let alone the cat. I must say it’s a peculiar feeling when you can have a top night out, and not even notice you have travelled some 500 km, and then awake at your destination in a whole new country! Very cool. The night was a wee classic with the lads all hitting the night club, and basically being the only ones standing at closing. A brief sleep and off the Ferry in Tallinn, Estonia.

Tallinn has been described as many things to us, among them, a really cool ancient city and one of Europe’s hot spots. The later being like the tractor beam to the lads, we were puilled in and powerless to stop it. We found what was to become the low tide mark of Camp sites on the tour. 'City camping ground' the sign proudly stated, but ‘unused gymnasium car park, with shared showers and fuck all else’ would have been a bit more accurate. It looked more like we had pulled in to a Tesco’s and set up. Oh well!

I can proudly report, and perhaps for the first time we did some sight seeing before we went out that night. Tallinn has what Lonely Planet described as the best kept Old Town in Europe, and while we on the tour think LP is as accurate as a blind dart thrower, they got this one right. Simply a little gem of a place, with 14th -15th century buildings, with little lanes and streets which wind there way between. You can actually turn down a street and see nothing to indicate that you are Not in the 15th Century, well except for Steve carrying 3 cameras and my phone ringing. We both even managed to have a shot at the old Bow and Arrow. It truly was a masterful display from the lads, only missing target a hand full of times, also taking out a dozen pigeons, an elderly lady, hunched back bell ringer (Bonus points) and a bridesmaid from the wedding next door. Top Stuff. (Harbott winner of day with best shot, nice work William)

We headed out that Friday night to sample what Tallinn had to offer, and also another recon mission for the All Blacks game the following day. We stumbled upon a bar called Stereo, which was a mint trendy bar in the outskirts of old town. This place was all bright white, floors, tables, chairs and us three. As we sat there nursing our drinks, what ensued was conceivably the most astonishing display of female talent ever witnessed. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not out to offend any of our lady readers but it has to be said. Our conversation was replaced with glances, stares, taps on shoulders to each other, varying signals, splutters and mouths agape! It was like walking into a FHM party, and all we could do was sit there in silence and watch. As Harbott said, with its white interior and talent, all that was missing was a few choice halo’s and this could be our heaven!
So we left there, all bent over at right angles and headed to a few more bars, ending the night with the usual grubby feed and taxi home. A Promising night in the Baltic’s. Rumour has it there was a unusual exchange at one of the, how do i say, Strip bars in town between a couple of the team. Apparently when one of the team members attempted a currency exchange with a local employee, the payment was deemed insufficient and promptly returned via stuffing it reverse style down the owner’s shirt! After a quick breakdown of the exchange rate in morning, it seems that she had a point – less than 1Euro! Or so I’m told.

I awoke the next day with the feeling my head had been wedged in some kind of paint shaker over night. But the fact the AB’s were playing was motivation enough and we needed to haul ass to get to the Pub. Arriving at O’Malley’s (Irish, who would have guessed), with a fresh layer of sweat, and in need of some larger lungs we caught the Haka and were well pleased with our jinking run thru the Old Town streets. As with any game the AB’s play it attracted a few kiwis, and of course the now common place convicts or west islanders. As per we became the focal point of bar, and meeting all in sundry again. We left there to head home and change, then hit a night club later in the night. This place sold spirits but the bottle, and for those who indulge in that particular habit, you get a special table…..rather exclusive. So there we were, bottle of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum, and a few bottles of mixers, plus the Jagermeister we sneaked in. To say we owned the dance floor would be a lie, in fact my last apparition of said floor was young Arblaster (Clint) doing his best imitation of the sheep dog and was rounding all the women into one corner, although for what benefit I’m unsure? It was like the dance floor was a pool table with a bad lean, as all the balls rolled to the opposite side of the White, or Clint!


We, believe it or not, found some local friends to party with after and headed to fuck knows where in Tallinn for the after party! What followed was possibly the funniest thing I have witnessed in a long time. The owner of the house was a photographer, and her place was here Studio, complete with huge red background, flashes and get this, costumes! Harbott and myself were in at light speed. Donning the Russian Sailor hat, and picking up some bird, Harbott was almost model like in his approach. Flashes, clicking, you’re a tiger, Flash. I was on the floor crying, and not getting up quickly! This might have been Harbott’s funniest moment and all this at about 7am in the morning. Photos will be put on when they are sent to us. Classic stuff.

On To Latvia