Baltic Cruising Part 9: Helsinki, Finland

The last stop on the trip is Helsinki. There are numerous small islands surrounding the city & we took a boat tour of the local scenes.

Street vendors were touting their wares along the causeway.

Our transport, the Diana.

Along with tourist rides, the dock space was also a stop point for several water taxis. With the number of islands, this was faster than driving.

An assortment of architecture.

Our home of the past 2 weeks.

And for comparison, this is an overnight ferry that runs between Baltic cities. About the same size as the Journey.

For some of the islands, you can't get there by car.

Some islands, you can. But they did swing the bridge for us to pass. 

Anyone familiar with lakeside living would recognize these scenes. Only 1 problem. This is Finland. These waters freeze during the colder months. And there are more cold months than warm months. Summer happens quickly here.

My image of me, Finland style.

These are the true workhorses of the area. Ice Breakers that keep the shipping channels open.

Water view of the city.

The Journey with a mini "Eye" type carousel nearby.

Summer in Helsinki. The Finns know how to make the best of warm days.  

 

From the top deck of the ship, a ride on the Eye is not needed.

To borrow Jimmy Buffetts' line, this really has been a lovely cruise. I would do this one again.

This is the last post in a 9 part series. I just hope I get to travel this well many more times, giving me a good excuse to bore people to tears with travel photos. Having made no posts in 2017, I may soon put up some photos from a trip aboard the Queen Mary & a wonderful week at a top notch resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Cheers!

Baltic Cruising Part 8: The Grand Palace of Peterhof on Day 3

Our last day in St Petersburg saw us traveling out of town a few miles. For a good reason; The Grand Palace of Peterhof.

Weather was in the 70s, just right for being a tourist in these latitudes.

The back side of the palace. A small section. 

 

And the inside. Is it just me or do the Russians have a thing for gold?

Yes, a throne.

More of the inside.

We'll go out there in a few pictures.

Even more inside.

Now to the exterior.

 

With a lovely view looking out to the Baltic.

Proof I was there.

Isn't she a cutie?

 One of the outlying buildings.

 Fountains in every direction.

Close to 11am, the crowd gathered in 1 location. 

For an exquisite water show!

On the way back, the coach was rather quiet. After 3 days of steady touring, a lot of people took a nap. I realize the roads around the city are probably a few notches above many other road systems in the country. But take a good look. No potholes. Wide lanes & plenty of them. Lights for night travel. I was impressed. 

Next post is the last in this series: Helsinki Finland.