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We arrived at 9am
and we set off at around 9.30am. This place is bustling, with
everyone out and about, and the front and central square covered with
a huge market selling everything one could imagine. Had a good look
at the prices. We were docked virtually on the market square, just a
couple of minutes walk.
We purchased our
Helsinki cards for the day at the tourist office and started of with
a tram [3T] ride. This travels in a figure of 8 loop around the city
and takes just over an hour. Passes a lot of interesting sites too.
You can pick up a little map which tells you all the landmarks you
are passing. The shopping areas, markets, Natural History Museum,
Finnish National Opera, Linnanmäki amusement park, Parliament
building, National Museum, City Museum, to name but a few. It really
is an excellent way to orientate yourself with the city. Of course if
you wanted to, you can hop on and off the tram as you wish. |
Senate Square, Cathedral |
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Beverley, Dave
& Howard on the quay, City Hall behind |
Once back in the
market square we decided we would take the ferry to Semolina:) Well
it's actually Suomenlinna/ Sveaborg/ Viapori. A sea fortress. It used
to be the biggest fortification in the kingdom of Sweden. Founded in
1748 it was built as a bastion on six islands off Helsinki by
Augustin Ehrensvärd. To begin with, the fortification defended
Sweden for 60 years against Russia, but after it was forced to
surrender in 1808 it became a Russian fortifiaction for 110 years. In
1855 it was attacked by the British navy. In 1918 the fortification
acted as a Finnish garrison until it came under civil administration
in 1973. It is now a World Heritage site, being an architectural
monument, recreatioanl area and museum as well as a living community.
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However, they
weren't running the ferries on the half hour and we would have had to
wait a while. It was 11.30am, so Dave and Howard went back to the
ship, while Beverley and I did a little trinket shopping on the
market. We then went back to the ship too and we all had lunch on the
Marquee deck outside. A lovely warm sunny day! |
Ferry to Suomenlinna |
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Then we set off
again for the ferry [only alongside the market place on the front]
and caught the 1pm one. Takes about 20 mins. Noticed the Marco Polo
docked behind the ferry behind the Black Watch. She was gone when we
came back though. The Maasdam and Sundream were there somewhere too,
but must have been berthed way out as not in sight.
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Vesikko |
Suomenlinna is a
group of islands and we walked around about half of it. Not bad, but
such a lovely day. There is a visitors centre and museum in the
former inventory chambers, wide-screen show of the history of the
fortification, other museums and various arts and craft places
around. There is a submarine, Vesikko, to venture into. Only a
250-ton coastal sub of WW II, originally built for research. The
interior is so small, I hope they didn't have to stay down very long!
We walked along to the 'Gunpowder magazine' , but found a private
party in progress there. Hope they weren't smoking:) We watched some
glass blowing by the toilets. Although we didn't see an awful lot it
was a nice walk, in the weather with a light breeze. |
Once back on the
ferry, and in the city, Howard said he wanted to go back to the ship.
So Beverley and I set off to the main shopping area along
Mannerheimvägen and the large department stores. The central
squares and walkways, are all cobbled and tree lined, very pretty,
but full of rubbish and broken bottles, glass etc all over the
place:( Picked up our free gift from one store [Stockmans] for having
the Helsinki Card, a Finland keyring each, and various other places
give you an additional 10% discount or whatever. Well worth buying
the card if you want to buy a lot. We didn't get much as didn't have
anytime. Caught the tram back to the market place...to find the
market had been packed away...tsk...when we wanted something...and
got caught up in some marathon just ending. Took ages to get across
the road between the runners.
Market Place
Finally back on
board with about 15 mins to go. Left Helsinki at 6'ish for St
Petersburg. Dinner, was British, red white and blue, not that I have
anything those colours, but H & B did, and the ship provided
Union Jack bow ties, hats and flags:) Beverley and I went to the show
again and then played cards. |
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