Helsinki, Finland

August 3

We were going to wear our specially made DSH long sleeve tshirts today because we figured Helsinki was the farthest north we would be traveling.  However, the weather forecast for today was a high of 76 degrees - the warmest it had been our whole trip!  So no DSH shirts today, either.

We had our breakfast and then set off with three others of our group.  I had learned from watching the tips to take a tram (#9) into town.  Then you could switch to another tram (3T or 3B) that would make a loop around the city to see the major sites.  At home I had printed out a guided tour to go along with the tram ride, but I couldn't find it today.  It was a long walk to the first tram #9 (we could have paid for a shuttle bus ride again but after getting burned on the one in Stockholm, we were being cheap).  Got to the tram station and bought an all day pass which would get us on all public transportation - busses, trams, & ferries.  We got on the 9 tram, but everything that I had learned about the sites had all disappeared out of my brain.  I wasn't even sure where to get off to catch the 3T or 3B tram that looped around.  We got to a major shopping area, so we got off.  I was ready to pay for a Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour, but we had to find a bathroom first.  We walked down the shopping street and found a bathroom in a park area.  It was the only bathroom we ever paid for on the whole tour.

Riding the tram, still smiling.

From that park area, we could see the Market Square, so we walked a few more blocks to see that.  On the other end of the market was the ferry dock which was one of the places we wanted to get to.  We walked through the market and bought an ice cream to cool us down.  Got to the ferry dock and used our pass to get on.  Actually we never had to show our pass all day, but they had stern warnings that if you didn't have it, it would be an 80 euro fine, plus the cost of a ticket.

Controversial statue by the market (in the background) of a nude woman.

We took the ferry over to Suomenlinna Fortress.  It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, so I thought it would be more interesting.  It was just an old fortress and not even as complete as the one in Oslo for example.  We walked around a little bit, but our feet were really tired from all the walking we had already done. Took a few photos, had another ice cream.  I found a moose for my moose collection in the gift shop there. (I think they thought it was a reindeer, but it looks like a moose to me.)

Suomenlinna fortress

Suomenlinna Fortress

The tunnels were cool (temperature wise, and views)

Ice cream cools us off on a hot day.

We took the ferry back and actually had a cool breeze (it was a very hot day).  Got back to the market.  I wanted to walk quickly around it and still get on a Hop-on bus, but Bob took off right through the middle of the market.  The heat and the fried food and fish smell were not making me feel too great, but I followed him anyway.  I didn't want to get separated in a strange city.  I did find a souvenir spoon in one of the stalls, so I guess it turned out okay.

We decided to try to find the Church in the Rock.  That meant getting on the 3T tram.  I asked the driver when we got on how far it was to the church.  He told me it would be about 15 minutes.  After about 5 minutes one of our group thought they saw it between some buildings.  We tried to ask a fellow passenger but he was deaf and couldn't see our map well either.  We asked another lady who got on and she said we needed to go back the other way three stops.  So we got off that tram, went across the street, and went the other way.  Got off in three stops and walked about a block and found the church.  It was built by blasting out the inside of a huge rock and then just putting a copper dome roof over it.  It was going to close in a half an hour for a wedding (we saw the bride and groom arrive).  We looked around a little, but it was like a modern church in the round, except with rock walls.  An organist was practicing for the wedding (we assume) so we heard a little organ music.  Got back on the 3T tram to take us back to the 9 tram to get back to the ship. At least we got our money's worth out of the all day pass (8 euros). I bought some yummy mints for my co-workers in the cruise terminal there.

Pipe organ in the Church in the Rock

Interesting bench, but unsuccessful attempt with free wifi.

Finally back on the ship after our day in Hell-sinki!  Not exactly our best touring day.  All that walking and we didn't even really get to see much. The hallway back to our room seemed especially long tonight. We went to supper at our usual table.  Bob had the surf and turf and he asked them to bring a whole extra platter of shrimp for the whole table to share.  I had chicken and the Princess Love Boat Dream dessert (chocolate). Pim was learning my favorite desserts were the chocolate ones.

Long hallway that goes forever and ever!

After supper we listened to some Dixieland Jazz playing in the Piazza (the central atrium area of the ship). When that was done we went to see the show Beatles Celebration.  They were pretty good and we enjoyed the progression through the different Beatles eras.  Bob (the Beatles expert) gave them a C.  Had trouble staying awake for that so we went to bed early.  Big day in St. Petersburg tomorrow.

Beatles in Sergeant Pepper costumes.