Helsinki Day One

Friday was the first of two days in Helsinki.  It was a late arrival, so they held  bingo and Lucky Linda won 1-1/2 games!

After arrival, we walked into town through what seemed to be the old warehouse area.

Then we took the ferry to Suomenlinna which is a maritime fortress put up by the Swedes in the 1800's and later occupied by the Russians.  It is spread over 7 islands.

Suomenlinna, in addition to the fortress remains, is home to about 1000 people.  From the ferry dock, we walked in one direction until we came to a residential area of apartments.

From there, we backtracked to the dock where we picked up the "blue route" to follow to the other end of the fortress.  But not before a stop for salmon soup and soccer.

The route took us past old wooden houses, the church, and more fortress walls and buildings.

We came upon the Lovers Pond where we had to show our love.

Ultimately, we made to the King's Gate at the end of the fortress.

We were tired, but glad that we had made it through all of Suomenlinna.

As in many of the ports we have visited in the Baltic, there were many Barnacle Geese and their young ones in Suomenlinna.

From King's Gate, we dragged ourselves back to the ferry and then to the ship.  The day was capped off by a dinner with two of the cast members, Shannon and Eddie.

After a long day's outing where we covered about 7 miles of walking, it can take some effort to adhere to Rule of Civility Number 51, especially when we have to dress up for dinner:

Wear not your cloths, foul, ripped or dusty but see they be brushed once every day at least and take heed that you approach not to any uncleanness.

Peace and blessings,

Linda and Larry