Hello Tartu

 After a scrumptious breakfast at the Nunne Hotel (smoked salmon, spinach rolls, mustard herring and more - I like to eat traditional local food as much as I can), we caught the bus for the 2.5 hr trip to Tartu. 

We had a very early dinner at Restauran Pompei, a lovely Italian place five mins walk from our apartment. The food and service were amazing. The staff were so friendly which is something you don't always find in Estonia. 

We shared the grilled red pepper and anchovies on house-made bruschetta - I savoured every mouthfull! 


Then grilled octopus, 'nduja-wine sauce & pine nuts - nearly licked the plate - with a kale and beet side.

We finished off with the tiramisu, made with their house-made mascarpone. 

We didn't plan it but found ourselves back the following night where we were greeted warmly. I had popped my head into the kitchen the previous night to say how much we enjoyed our dinner and Richard, pictured on the left, said he met his wife in Broome and he learned all about food during his six years in Australia.  

We were recommended the monkfish (known as poor man's lobster) in a parmesan veloute, butter beans & edamame. It worked. We followed up with a creme caramel which was delicious but we couldn't place a certain flavour. Cardamon? No, it was pumkin - who would've funk it. 

While Peter took a class at the University, I did a bit of a walking tour around Tartu. 

Bridge leading to 'Delta', Uni of Tartu Business & Economics (where Peter teaches)

Cafe on the river with bean bags for anyone game enough to lounge there. Similar to Howard Smith Wharf bean bags, not. I'm sure it is a different story in summertime. 
Tartu Town Hall, preparing the ice skating rink. 


Botanical Garden pond (before the snowfall)

Grocery shopping in Estonia is quite advanced (we kept it simple & went to a check-out with a  person). First, you take one of these orange things (below), scan your credit card, and insert it in the trolley. Then you scan items as you place them in the trolley and pay by scanning the orange thing again (at least I think that's how it works). 


It snowed overnight, Yay!! The photos of the church below were taken one day apart. What a difference - not to mention the different angle.



Gotta love a bit of snow. 

Bus trip to Tallinn airport hotel for an early morning flight. 



Relaxing at Mercure Airport Hotel
Peter only managed half of his burger - and rated the chips highly. 

Off to Amsterdam in the morning.





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