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Jump directly to ... Estonia: The entrance into the Estonian is also free. The green insurance card is accepted. Already more clever, I buy immediately after the border the two most important things: fuel and roadmap I start by rolling down highway 6 to Tõrva. While several parts of central Europe suffer flooding disasters, I sit in 32°C, drinking my first Estonian beer. Less than 1 €. After visiting Lithuania and Latvia, I'm no longer surprised by the general neatness of the cities, the cultivated lawns, the high density, compared to Austria, of public Internet access points and the automatic teller machines. I still, however, struggle believing that not too long ago this was a part of the Soviet Union. I drift northerly to Õisu, Ramsi, and then pass through the Soomaa Rahvus Park. This is a real paradise for wetland and paddle fans. Further through Tori, Are, Paernu-Jaagupi, and Kirbla staying as much as possible on wonderful, white crushed rock. I reach Haapsalu, a small town on the west coast of Estonia, in the late afternoon and decide to set up my tent for the night. Day 9: From the tower of the castle I have a great view to the little islands and reed strips in the Haapsaluer Bay. The courtyard of the castle reminds me very much of open air summer festivals, in view of the tons of mosquitos this must be one of the last adventures of mankind. It is only about 100 km to Tallin and I arrive there in the afternoon. Since the old part of town is not too big there is enough time for a sightseeing tour. I am delighted. I soon feel like I am in an outdoor museum and the entrance fee is included in the price of the beer. Day 10: As I have now reached my travel destination I start my journey home. As usually does, it takes me longer than the rest of the world to find the right way out of Tallinn. I go East on the E20 and then the A13 up to Aegviidu. I keep reminding myself of my promise to travel on as few asphalt roads as possible and turn at Lethse on to a reasonable surface. Direction South, Järva-Jaani, Koeru. Jaerva-Jaani, Koeru. Shortly before Joegeva I make a wrong turn and roll aimlessly and lost ('Funny, it's 14:00, why is the sun behind me, again?') through the Endla Nature Reservation. At last I reach Joegeva, but this time the Africa Twin reserve tank does not last. I have to push slightly uphill for the last, not quite, 150 m. I try to forego further experiments in navigation until Tartu. From Tartu the change of the landscape is worth mentioning. It becomes noticeably hilly. Between Voeru and the border station to Latvia at Murati, I ride on the highest elevation of Estonia. Breathtaking 318 m above sealevel. Nevertheless this section of about 30 km has several enjoyable stretches to offer. The border station: As expected, no problems at all. Fortsetzung: Eastern Latvia heading south WWW Links Pictures Pictures of Estonia
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