I had read and seen via a few different sources that Kalamaja was the 'cool' part of Tallinn to check out. So I investigated a bit. Turns out Kalamaja is a pretty large area that encompasses most of the near north/northwest area of Tallinn once you leave the boundaries of old town. This includes Balti Jaama Market and Telliskivi, which I checked out in my previous post. There are also some very distinct sections within Kalamaja. You can see in the map screenshot below that I had pinned a few things up north along the waterfront. Supposedly that was an up and coming / developing / cool area to check out. But what I really wound up digging was the central area, just a few blocks straight north / northeast from Balti Jaama.
I pointed my scooter toward the waterfront. Figured I'd head out to the furthest point first, then work my way back toward the ferry. Weather decided to act up and I was scooting through some drizzle, but it never really devolved into full on rain, so I guess I got a little lucky there. Anyway, what you see on your way out to this 'cool' area is that it is still a work in progress. Feels a bit remote from the downtown or even inner Kalamaja, though it is just a quick scooter or bike ride, which would be quite nice in better weather. But signs of the ongoing development were prominent.
You also see a few examples of very cool architecture and design. And I imagine if I were to come back for another visit 5 years down the road there would be more integrated services and shops to make it all feel a bit more complete.
This next one is Noblessneri valukoda, which based on the reviews seems like a solid family-friendly destination, perhpas especially on days when the weather isn't so great.
Given the current weather, I was the only dope outside.
During another visit or another season, stopping for a beverage at Brewklyn Craft Beer Cafe could be worthwhile. But not today. Now it was time to head back to see other parts of the Kalamaja district.
I pointed myself in the general east/southeast direction and found a scooter parking zone near what turned out to be Soo Uulits Tänavagurmee .
This would be a good a point as any to start meandering around the zone. And I was blown away by what I was seeing. Wow. Very cool vibes. Residential. Mix of achitectural styles in varying states of upkeep. Juxtaposition of traditional with hyper modern. Punctuated with super local retail/food outlets. Felt like a cool place to spend more time in. Like a week or two, not a couple of hours. Difficult to edit myself here with the photo inclusion because I found it all fascinating. I mean, check these out:
Spotted a sub division with an inviting entry and wandered in this direction a bit.
Eventually came out to this spot where in one direction you're facing homes that evince quintessential bucolic vibes.
But turnaround and there are those ultra current shipping-container-chic homes that you might order from Temu.
Wild.
Could not stop taking pictures as I continued on through this funky, funky neighborhood.
Thought I'd try one more pass through Balti Jaama on the way to the ferry, but it closes early on Sunday. Then this Lavazza vending machine appeared to me like a beacon.
I'd been out roaming for 5+ hours at this point in upper 40s, windy weather. A vending machine hot chocolate was just what the doctor ordered to warm me up somewhat before one last scoot to the ferry. (Btw, hot chocolate was 10/10, would recommend). Found a parking spot for the Bolt, and headed to the terminal.
Beautiful and comfortable place to await your departure.
Got sucked over to the store to see what they had.
Decided to bring the dogs a stuffed something. They enjoy a variety of soft things on which they can lounge at leisure. You can see Lucha below resting on a plush sandia that we picked up here in la CDMX somewhere. Mia is on a plush cat that we brought back from Poland.
So when I saw that the symbol / mascot of Tallink was a harp seal pup, I thought that would be a good addition to the collection. It was a bit too firm though. The anime strawberry was plush, but random af. I eventually found a little penguin (not pictured) that seemed more appropriate.
With that gift secured my time in Tallinn was done. Back on the boat to Helsinki.
I had heard from some friends that while old town Tallinn is nice enough, the more interesting areas were the ones out beyond the touristic center. That said, while Balti Jaama Market is outside the old town center (just barely), it is far from unknown. Nonetheless, based on what I had seen and read I knew this would be one of the places I'd most want to see.
You walk in and are immediately presented with a few alluring options for a snack/beverage.
Like VegB12
Or Samsa Family Bakers (note, there are two Samsa options I saw; one right near the entrance, another further in; believe they are related).
Venture further in and you get multiple options for collecting your ingredients. Fruit & veg vendors, butchers, specialty & gourmet stands. There is also a full-on grocery store (Selver).
Upstairs is a wild and expansive selection of flea market stands / antiques shops / vintage/secondhand shops (saw a lot of second hand shops in Helsinki, too; appears to be in style).
The pics don't really do this justice, so I took a walking video.
So much stuff to check out. Unfortunately for me, not enough time.
But there was time for bringing home treats. Spent a good 10 minutes in Kalev selecting an assortment of things to bring home for Judy and I to try.
At this point it had been a few hours since my BK brunch on the ferry, so I stopped for a necessary espresso and some ham & cheese thing from the second Samsa location. Best I can describe it is like an Uzbek empanada/hot pocket.
For me it was a little too flaky and crunchy w/o that much actual ham & cheese. It would have to do, though, because I needed to head back outside to explore Telliskivi.
One quick vibe video of my POV while eating the Uzbek hot pocket before we go.
Of course the 'Creative City' would have been livelier on a warm and sunny Saturday, but I was in town on a cool and grey Sunday. Couldn't change that. Still, interesting to meander through while imagining what it could be at its best. First took a few pics as I found my way into the center of the area (if there is indeed a center).
Very creative / artsy / alt / indie vibes everywhere. I mostly observed from the exterior, though I did quickly duck into Fotografiska, which had a decent crowd for a Sunday afternoon. The whole area reminded me of Electric Avenue, in Gdansk, though what I saw there was largely closed up. But it does appeark to be a kindred entertainment development. (Fwiw, we passed through Electric Avenue during our bike tour in Gdansk earlier this year.)
Pretty sure that's F-Hoone, not FPizza, above and below.
