It is summer for the people of Estonia and I don't think they know that summer is supposed to be hot. It is freezing and people are at the beach sunbathing. Granted I am coming from 35 degree Centigrade Hong Kong weather, but still, it's way too cold here for bathing suits.
Between the beach and a nearby palace stands this huge angel statue. We'll see the palace later. I wanted to start at the convent.
I walked along the river for about 7kms to reach the ruins of this convent before I realized how far 7 kms is. And I still had to walk back. Whoops!But they were some cool ruins, so it was worth it. This is the facade of the church.
Inside, they were setting up for a concert.
There were tunnels...
... and stairs to nowhere...
... and a huge roofless church.
Then I walked back along the river. In the distance, you can see Tallinn. At this point, it is about 2-3 kms to the city. Oh, and the dolphin-like sculpture in the foreground was actually erected in memory of an astronaut.
Maybe this view makes more sense for an astronaut.
Then on to the palace grounds.
Kadriorg Palace was built as a summer palace for Catherine by Tsar Peter I in the 18th century. It was designed by Italian architect Nicollo Michetti. (Note the red color -- the favorite color of Italians.) 
It's interesting to see the contrast between a convent where the residents have little or nothing and a palace that has more than most can imagine.
My favorite room...
And, of course, the gardens.
It's beautiful, but when you've seen Schoenbrunn, in Vienna, nothing compares. 
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